"Time is a gift that most of us take for granted" - Cheryl Richardson

Time is very important in life, no one wish to waste a time for something not important, nor use one time for another thing, even the Holy Books affirm it that there is time for everything on earth, so for life to move on in peace and for progress, one must adhere with the timing of a particular purpose, or a position wherever we found ourselves, but if there's an attempt to elongate the time without a reason, then it calls for serious attention.

As far, as I am concerned every reputable higher institutions in Nigeria, have a governing council in which they have a particular period in which their members do serve and after their service expires, new members are brought in, this is irrespective whether it is federal, state or private owned. This is done to bring in new ideas, suggestions, towards the development and growth of such institution.

But the question is, why is the foremost school of journalism in Nigeria own different, I mean the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Lagos State, why is her own different? The board members have been serving ever since before I got admitted at the school in year 2013 and till today, they are still at the wheel of affairs in the school. I may not be sure of when they began their tenure but I am sure that they are behind the emergence of the new NIJ, as it is called, ever since the licensing of the institution in 2003 and the accreditation in 2005, that is almost 16 years ago.

Though they are supposed to serve two terms, of which a single term is three years, so two terms is six years, and no member shall serve for more than two terms, which is according to their condition of service.

Though, the condition of service has been ammended and a term is now six years, but if this would be implemented it shouldn't be on this present board members, it should be on the new board members, which the school is yet to have, but if the former Provost can be replaced with a new one, after the expiration of her term, why can't the present board members also leave for new ones to come in?

Perhaps, there is something "sweet" about the board, that the members do not want to leave but this present time is begging for change in the system, the students are not happy, the staffs are not smiling, even the past students keep asking when are these people leaving? It is time for them to leave and let new members come in for transformation of the institution, at least they have done their best, let others come in.

Another point to note is that the year of service has enshrined in the old condition of service before is 60 years but now it is 65 years, and by this, it means anyone who's above 60 years should not be part of the council members, yet the board have some of its members who are far above the age limit, talkless of its chairman who is 76 years old.

The school needs to improve on its training facility, and quality of leadership, particularly at the level of the board. The board has really overstayed and have lost touch with the contemporary needs of a training institution like NIJ. These people are old and tired, they know little or nothing on what to do to bring the institute to limelight again. What do they know about modern day journalism? Infact, their archaic knowledge of journalism, might have led to the delay of the recent radio license gotten by the institution, in which they should have strive hard to get it earlier.
Who says the school must have old men and women as board members, or why can't they have old students has board members, infact it is high time past students emerge as members of the board, as I believe this would even help to develop the institution, by making them committed to their alumni. NIJ had produced many important personalities in and outside the country, but has any of these identify with NIJ? How has the board marketed NIJ among employers and tertiary institutions for further education here in Nigeria and abroad? Yet the board consists of the representatives of top associations in the media.

Time is up for Mallam Ismaila Isa and his colleagues to leave, you have done your best, but one cannot occupy a place forever, please kindly take your leave as soon as possible, as your continuous stay is injurious to the institution.

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