A “chanced meeting” with Prof Patricia Manko Lar, by Ben Adam Shamang

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 had not met for close to 40 years. I entered the gate of the Senate Building at the ground floor of the university. It was full of people, and I went straight to the reception to ask where I could find my friend.

There were about six people seated by the large reception desk that looked like an arc. A policewoman 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, their attention turning 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 run away,” I insisted, raising my voice. And suddenly, the Acting VC entered the large reception hall.

As she entered, she raised her hand up as if to confer degrees on graduands. There was a chorus from the people, including me: “Good afternoon, ma.” Others said, “Welcome, ma.” She slowed her movement, smiling and looking around, and responded, “Good afternoon everyone, hope you’re fine?” That normal kind of question that’s common in Nigeria came from her.

“Yes ma,” was the reply from the people. “We 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. “You’ll give visitors like me some wrong impression about her. My not moving away has made me 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 all of these opportunities.”

The policewoman, 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 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 of lecturers — because work is too much for the few on ground.

“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 leaking and dirty behind. The third spot is the parking slots where the tricycles 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 the path for Nigerians.

Congratulations on your new appointment Prof.

Shemang is a former Director, News, Voice of Nigeria.