•Cultism has roots in secondary schools
VICE-Chancellor of the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN), Prof AbdulGaniyu Ambali, has said Nigerian universities are better equipped than Ghanaian universities.
This news must be a shock for parents and students who patronise Ghanaian universities based on the belief they are better than those in Nigeria.
Last month, the former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Port Harcourt, Prof Nimi Briggs said Nigerians spend N160 million annually in just two Ghanaian universities. Comparing funding level of universities in the two countries, Prof Ambali said in an interview with reporters in Ilorin that Nigerian universities are better equipped than their Ghanaian counterparts.
His words: “There is still room for improvement. I won’t say the level of funding of university education in Nigeria is totally satisfactory. If I say so that means all universities are static, but university being the place where the best brains are assembled the idea of what to do is always there; which means the request for funding will always be there.
“In Ghana, they are not also satisfied with the level of funding. As a matter of fact, the other time I was there the Nigerian students studying there actually confessed to us that when it comes to teaching and learning delivery, the facilities we have in Nigeria are far better than what they have in Ghana. We have better facilities here. The only difference between Nigerian and Ghanaian universities is the stability in the latter’s academic calendar.”
Speaking on cultism, Ambali said cult activities on campuses emanated from the secondary schools.
He said many cultists caught confess to have started their cult activities right from secondary school.
The VC urged parents and teachers to monitor young people better.
“Universities inherit wards already groomed from homes, primary and post primary schools and even the polytechnics or colleges of education. Most of the students caught belonging to one secret cult or the other confessed to have started their cult activities right from secondary schools. To eradicate cultism on campuses, parents, primary and secondary school teachers, polytechnics and colleges of education teachers should educate their wards to shun cultism before they enter the universities,” he said.