The Vice-Chancellor- designate of the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN), Prof. AbdulGaniyu Ambali, has spoken on criticisms that trailed his selection.

The professor of veterinary medicine was in July selected by the university's governing council to succeed Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, whose tenure ends next month.

But some of his opponents have described the mode of his selection as biased.

The VC-designate said those that opposed his selection were unfair.

Ambali, who spoke with reporters at the weekend in Ilorin, said: "It is amazing to say a professor of over 15 years is not qualified to be selected as a Vice-Chancellor. "A professor is not made in only one university. For somebody to say a professor of over 15 years ago who has done his sabbatical in a university in the United Kingdom, a professor that has produced Master's and PhD students, somebody that has been dean of faculty, head of department, a member of the university governing council and a board member of the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH) is not qualified to be a Vice-Chancellor is most unfair. We should practice politics with decency and decorum.

"I pray to God to give those that were not so fortunate to be selected good heart and wisdom to be gallant in defeat. The position of a Vice-Chancellor is a call to service. Since I have been given the opportunity, I will use it with caution and be humble in victory.

"When I contested for the position 10 years ago, I was not even short-listed. Five years ago, I was short-listed but not selected. I then went to the University of Maiduguri because I know God gives power.  I don't see any reason why anybody should flex his muscle if God says it is not his time. It is appalling for anybody to question what God has done."

On his agenda for the next five years, Prof Ambali promised to strengthen research, improve learning and community service.

He added that the laboratories would be eqipped to ensure better quality for support staff.

"We will embark on training and retraining of researchers. Over the years and given my interaction with the outside world, the only difference between here and there is the absence of facilities here. This leads to frustration of scientists and ultimately brain drain.

"I want to bridge the gap between the industry and research so that our scientists can carry out implementable researches for the consuming industries. We will use a top to bottom approach to identify a problem and find a solution," he said.