Protest Rocks OAU Over Appointment Of New VC

Vehicular Movement On Hold At Road 7, Friday As Security Locks The Gate

Following the announcement of a newly appointed Vice Chancellor of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife on Thursday by the Governing Council of the institution, some aggrieved persons believed to be indigenes of the host town gathered at and shut down the University's, main gate, expressing a displeasure over the development.

The people, IFECITYBLOG gathered were protesting what they described as a denial of the host town the privilege of producing a substantive Vice-Chancellor of the institution since over 60 years of its establishment despite having qualified sons and daughters to occupy the seat and are therefore demanding for a reversal of the new appointment.

They faulted the selection process, arguing that the town has been deliberately sidelined in producing a substantive head of the institution six decades after its establishment.

One of the protesters on Thursday identified as Bimbo Afolabi who spoke on behalf of others had said that the protest would be intensified on Friday, today and urged workers to stay at home as they would be denied entry.

He said “It is an insult on us that after 61 years, they deemed it unfit to appoint or to elect any of our sons. We are not particular about Ife. Ipetumodu, Lorigbo, Modakeke, and anywhere in the land.

“We are telling you (workers and students) today, don’t come to work tomorrow (Friday). We won’t agree to anything. We will be here with charms, we will be here with masquerades, we will be here with deities.

“We are appealing to you, don’t come to work tomorrow. We will allow you to go now but don’t come to work tomorrow.”

At about 1pm on Friday when our correspondent visited the scene, it was discovered that the major entrances leading to the institution were under locks but this time aroun by the University's security unit to prevent a possible breakdown of law and order.

Announcing the new VC at a press conference held at the institution's Africa Centre of Excellence on Thursday, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, Owelle Oscar Udoji noted that a total of 20 applicants struggled for the position out of which a professor of Agricultural Economics of the Faculty of Agriculture, Prof. Adebayo Simeon Bamire emerged as the most qualified.

He added that the appointment of Bamire whose tenure is billed to take effect from 7 June, 2022 was based on a thorough selection process and was in accordance with the laid down criteria. 

"In line with the provisions of the Universities (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Amendment) Act as amended, the report of the Selection Board was considered by the Council which, after a careful and dispassionate review of the report, decided to appoint Professor Adebayo Simeon Bamire, Professor of Agricultural Economics from the Faculty of Agriculture, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, as the Vice-Chancellor of the University with effect from June 7, 2022, The decision of the Council shall be communicated to the Visitor to the University, His Excellency President Muhammadu Buhari through the Hon. Minister of Education”, Owelle noted.