Gboyega Oyetola, the Governor of Osun State, has appealed to residents of Ile-Ife who are protesting the new Vice-Chancellor of Obafemi Awolowo University to give peace a chance and end the protest immediately.
On Monday, some Ife residents descended on the varsity’s campus carrying charms and other fetish artifacts in protest of Prof. Adebayo Bamire’s appointment as OAU’s 12th substantive Vice-Chancellor.
According to the demonstrators, an Ife native should have been appointed.
The university’s gates were closed to prohibit staff, students, and other stakeholders from entering or leaving the campus.
The protesters, who had initially blocked the University’s main gate and threatened staff and students to stay away from campus on the first day, allegedly turned violent on the second day, allegedly assaulting workers, particularly the Security Unit’s staff, and vandalizing their office at the Main Gate.
Governor Oyetola’s Chief Press Secretary, Ismail Omipidan, said in a statement on Tuesday evening that Ivory Towers everywhere are hallowed institutions, and that everything must be done to maintain their dignity.
As the host Governor, he emphasized that while the state has no say in who becomes the Vice Chancellor of Obafemi Awolowo University, as a Federal institution, he is responsible for the institution’s and its personnel’ safety and security.
To that end, he advised all residents who were protesting to exhibit restraint and let peace reign.
“It is with a heavy heart and a great feeling of concern that I urge on the fine people of Ile-Ife, particularly those opposing the appointment of a new Vice Chancellor for Obafemi Awolowo University, OAU, to pause their protests and give peace a chance,” he added.
“By their very nature and functionality, universities are conservative institutions founded on rules and conventions and focused on academic and governance autonomy.
“If we have cause to suspect that these guidelines have been broken, there are processes in place to correct the situation rather than relying on self-help.” In Osun, we are known for our peace. As a result, we must take care not to destroy that wonderful reputation,” Oyetola remarked.
Professor of Agricultural Economics, Prof Banire, was named as the university’s formal new Vice-Chancellor last Thursday by Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council, Owelle Oscar Idoko.
FOR UPDATE ALERTS
JOIN 360MEDIA WHATSAPP GROUP
JOIN 360MEDIA TELEGRAM CHANNEL
JOIN 360MEDIA FACEBOOK GROUP
FOLLOW 360MEDIA ON TWITTER
Be the first to comment