By Adesina Soyooye
Breaking down ethnicism, and shunning the several stabs on the unity of Nigeria, the Governing Council of the University of Jos, on Friday, June 20, rose from an Emergency Meeting, and appointed Professor Gray Gozie Ejikeme, the Acting Vice Chancellor of the Federal Institution, located in Plateau State.
Since the corruption of the Educational system in Nigeria, not a few people from States, even Communities, insist that University Vice Chancellors be appointed from their States or Communities.
It has happened a couple of times, and has led either to crisis, delays in appointments, or the appointment of not-too suitable academics as Vice Chancellors.
But in the case of the University of Jos, there was no such thing. Council members went for merit. They looked at truth in the face, and stood by it.
Ejikeme, a native of Abia State, South-east, Nigeria, a Professor of Clinical Psychology and Social Work, was the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Administration), before his appointment as Acting Vice Chancellor.
He is to succeed Professor Sebastian Maimako whose five-year tenure ends on June 23, 2021.
According to reports, avoiding vaccum, the Governing Council at its meeting asked all qualified Professors to apply. At the end, the Council went for the best among the bests.
A well-rounded academic, Ejikeme is a graduate of Psychology from the University of Lagos. He has a PGDE in Clinical Psychology, a Masters degree in Social Work and a PhD from the University of Jos among other academic and professional certificates. He, expectedly, has a number of awards and honours to his name.
He had been the Head, Department of Sociology, UNIJOS, Head Department of General and Applied Psychology, Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences, Chairman Committee of Dean’s and Directors, and the Senate Representative on the 13th Governing Council of the University.
In a fitting, but Touching tribute, Professor Ejikeme’s colleague, Professor Sebastian Zamani, recalls their academic struggles together, the obstacles both overcame, God’s intervention and, the good man that Professor Gray Gozie Ejikeme is.
Professor Zamani wrote:
“Indeed, God rewards diligence and faithfulness.
I recall our prayer sessions in his office each time we prepared for our PhD presentations, and afterwards, in the good old days.
“We trusted God, first, to make what appeared to be a brick wall to be soft and penetrable.
“He had been on the program before me, but destiny brought us together. All we trusted God for, eventually, came to pass. One by one, the obstacles gave way, and we graduated. The rest is history.
“We assumed our respective positions in the academia and, thereafter, got repositioned.
“We vowed to God to be channels of blessing to humanity, to be mentors to our students and colleagues, to make life beautiful for everyone who came our way that needed help in the best godly and professional traditions.
“I recall his fulfilling this by dusting off the files of  stagnated colleagues to grant them release (promotion) while he was Dean of Social Sciences.
“I recall his releasing students into a new experience of compassion and love. At every stage that God lifted him he stretched down to pick someone up.
“Why won’t such a person grow?
“Professor Ejikeme is one of the most diligent persons I have worked with. He stays the course on missions and projects.
“Thank God- for – God, who is a rewarder of those who diligently seek him. Here we are, with a gift of his elevation to a position of trust.
“Note that in his own case, not a single sentiment that currently stands Nigeria down is responsible for this .
“It is simply the God- factor and we thank him.While celebrating him, it is my prayer for God to grant him great success on this assignment. Amen.”
Ejikeme will be in an Acting position until, finally, confirmed on the position by President Muhammadu Buhari.
