Vice Chancellor of Landmark University, Omu Aran, Kwara State, Prof. Aize Obayan has urged Nigerians to let merit come to play in appointing ministers and other public office holders and not giving to sectional sentiments.

Such sentiments she said include political party interests, ethnic, religious and any others that would only serve narrow purposes at the expense of merit and collective desirability of the national growth in a modern world.

The vice-chancellor who was speaking in Omu Aran when members of the National Association of Oduduwa Students, NAOS, gave her an Award of Academic Icon in recognition of her successful stint of eight years at the Covenant University, Ota before moving on to Landmark University for a fresh round of administration.

According to her, President Mohammadu Buhari for instance should be given the chance to assemble those that are of needed quality and merit to constitute his cabinet as ministers in his cabinet particularly, putting round pegs in round holes based on the nominees' background to man relevant ministries.

Professor Obayan added that the time has come for Nigerians to begin to think of a united country and no more a divided nation, pointing out that we talk of USA because Americans think of a united America.

She canvassed for a play down on sectional groups to project Niger Delta, Arewa, Biafra, Oduduwa, Middle Belt and other bodies which had not helped the principle of a united country much.

Giving a charge to youths including members of the Association of Oduduwa Students, Prof. Obayan implored them to begin to see themselves not as students, but as the ones that would be in charge of the affairs the country tomorrow.

Earlier, President of NAOS, Adekunle Adeniyi said Professor Obayan's track record of excellence performance as the VC of Covenant University where she was rated the Best Vice Chancellor in Nigeria, (Private Universities category), which prompted fresh appointment in Landmark University after eight years sojourn in the former.