A “Chanced Meeting” With Prof Patricia Manko Lar

“Do you know that Students’ unionism is dead and buried in this university? I think the Prof can resuscitate it. And don’t forget, at a point, the university appeared to be in factions so she has to harmonise everyone so that we have peace on campus”. 

BY BEN ADAM SHEMANG

On Monday the 5th of May, 2025, just three days ago, I had what I can call a “chance meeting” with the Acting Vice Chancellor of the University of Abuja, Prof Patricia Manko Lar.

I’d gone to the university now named Yakubu Gowon University, to see a childhood friend I’ve not met for close to 40 years. I entered the gate of the Senate Building at the ground floor of the university and it was full of people and I went straight to the reception to ask for where I’d get my friend. There were about six people seated by the large reception desk that looked like an arc. A police woman in uniform was seated a bit behind them and far behind was a man in mufti who suddenly stood and shouted “VC is coming, hey, hey VC is coming. Everyone move”. Visitors and many of the people at the reception got confused and their attention turned to the gate of the Senate Building to see the VC who was still in her car. The man felt neglected so he shouted again; “I said the VC is coming and you people are all standing”. It was at that point that I cut in, “move to where? We should run away to where and why?” People turned to look at me just as the man decided to address me in particular. “Look, she is like a Governor. When a Governor is appearing people move away,” he told me. “On the contrary if a Governor or President Tinubu comes here people will love to meet him, not runaway,” I insisted by raising my voice. And suddenly the Acting VC entered the large reception hall. And as she entered she raised her hand up as if to confer degrees on graduands. And there was a chorus from the people including me. “Good afternoon ma’am”. Others said, “well come ma’am”. She slowed her movement, smiling and looking round and responded “good afternoon everyone, hope you’re fine?”. That normal kind of question that is common in Nigeria came from her. “Yes ma’am,” was the reply from the people. “Well done”, she said and took the staircase by the right of the reception. As she walked away, attention was once again turned to the reception, everyone was back to their business. “Oga,” I turned to face the man who told us to move away. “So, this is the gentle woman you wanted us to run away from? Is this a military barrack?” I asked him. “I’m only respecting you as an old elderly,” he replied me. “You’ll give visitors like me some wrong impression about her. My not moving away has made me to have a chance to meet or see her for the first time and I’ve also heard her voice too. You wanted to deny me of all of these opportunities”. The police woman who all the while, never said anything started signalling to me to calm down and I did, by giving her a thumbs up. I went and met my professor friend and we spoke about our youthful days and left thereafter. But, before I finally left the campus I asked some students what they thought about their Acting VC. The positive adjectives came up. “Calm and focused,” even as others said they had not seen a difference. I asked some two lecturers who were around the University Bookshop about their opinion on Professor Lar. “Don’t write our names please”. That was when they realised I’m a journalist. They however said they wanted the Acting Vice Chancellor to ensure all delayed promotions are cleared, more employment done especially lecturers because work is too much for the few on ground, etc. “Do you know that Students’ unionism is dead and buried in this university? I think the Prof can resuscitate it. “And don’t forget, at a point, the university appeared to be in factions so she has to harmonise everyone so that we have peace on campus.

Three spots need the VC’s attention: the roundabout which has defaced the front of the Senate Building, second, the old structure behind the Senate Building reminds one of the appearance of the ostrich: fine in front but looking dirty behind. The third spot is the parking slots where the tricircles are. Within the VC’s short tenure, the campus needs a mix of human and infrastructural development. These and more reasons might be why president Bola Ahmed Tinubu appointed you to clear for Nigerians.

Congratulations on your appointment, Prof.

…Ben Adam Shemang was Director, News, Voice of Nigeria.