A lecturer in the Department of English, Faculty of Arts of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Dr. Adebayo Mosobalaje who was dismissed on Tuesday by the University Governing Council has described his sacking as unjustifiable. In an exclusive interview with THE PUNCH on Wednesday, the lecturer faulted the judgement of the University authorities, maintaining that his dismissal was a wrong decision and vowed to appeal the case.  According to him, the Governing Council acted against the recommendations of the Joint Senate and Council Disciplinary Panel which investigated the case, adding that there was never a petition written against him by any student. “The lady in question recorded the audio in 2017 but the University started the investigation in 2018. The Centre for Gender, an organ of the University wrote the letter of complaint on behalf of the lady. So, the Centre was the complaint and members of the Centre were also invited by the University Investigative Panel as witnesses. “I

A lecturer in the Department of English, Faculty of Arts of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Dr Adebayo Mosobalaje has been dismissed by the University's Governing Council for an alleged sexual harrasment against a female student. The University's Public Relations Officer Abiodun Olanrewaju made this known in a statement on Tuesday. According to the release titled "Sexual Harrasment, OAU Dismisses Another Lecturer", the decision to sack the lecturer came up following the report of a Joint Committee of Council and Senate which investigated the case and found him guilty. The University, in the statement maintained that the judgement served on the lecturer was in line with its commitment to making OAU an institution of higher learning that would be free from all forms of harrasment and intimidation. The statement reads in part: "In its avowed determination to rid the University of any form of sexual intimidation, harassment and, or coercion, the Governing Co

Kayode Olawuni As part of the commemorative activities marking the 60 years anniversary of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, the institution through its Institute of Cultural Studies(ICS) is holding a 5 Days Cultural Fiesta. The event, scheduled to hold between Monday 30th of August and Friday 3rd of September, 2021 at the institution's Motion Ground is programmed to feature an array of cultural and entertainment shows including the Asa Oòduà Trade Fair, Adire Oòduà Fashion Show, Daily Musical & Drama Shows, Egungun Parade, Local Food Degustation among other side attractions. The Cultural Fiesta is no doubt in fulfilment of part of the core mandate of the ICS-OAU, also refered to as 'Ile Irunmole' (House of the Gods) as inherited from its predecessor, Institute of African Studies(IAS) which   is the preservation of the African Cultural heritage. The institution whose motto is "For Learning and Culture" had over the last couple of months witnessed series

The management of Obafemi Awolowo University Ile-Ife has announced the appointment of Professor Bola Babalola and Professor Yomi Daramola as the new Deputy Vice-Chancellor Academic and Deputy Vice-Chancellor Administration respectively. This was contained in a media release on the institution's official Instagram handle @oauniversity as obtained by Ife City Blog on Sunday. According to the release, the appointment of the erudite scholars became imperative for the sustenance of the smooth Professor Ogunbodede-led Vice-Chancellorship. The statement added that their tenure takes effect from August 1st, 2021. Read the full statement: "To ensure the smooth continuity of the Ogunbodede-led administration, the Senate of the University has elected two distinguished scholars, Professor Bola Babalola and Professor Yomi Daramola to occupy the position of Deputy Vice-Chancellor Academic and Deputy Vice-Chancellor Administration respectively. "They will be occupying the positions, whi

  The 2021 edition of the Africa Institute For Science Policy Innovation (AISPI) Biennial International Conference was on Tuesday held at the ICT-Driven Knowledge Park of the Africa Centre of Excellence, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife. This Year's conference with the theme "Harnessing Science, Technology AND Innovation For Inclusive Development In An Uncertain Future" featured prominent keynote speakers including Dr. Tunde Alarape, a building expert and CEO, TUNRAP Nigeria Limited and Barr. (Mrs) Mabel Okereke, Senior Associate, Babalakin & Co. Legal Practitioners. Dr. Alarape while speaking on the topic "The Housing Deficit in South-Western Nigeria: Timber Modular Housing Development to the Rescue" advocated for adoption of a timber modular housing model as an alternative means of cushioning the effect of housing deficit in the country. According to him, the housing deficit in the country has reached an alarming rate and the best way to address the sit

Kayode Olawuni July 10, a day commemorating the sad event of July 10, 1999 involving the killing of five students of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife in a cult attack has been described as the institution's anti-cultism day. The Dean of the Students Affairs of the University, Prof. I.O. Aransi made this assertion while addressing students in a symposium organized by the Great Ife Students' Union Action Committee as part of the activities marking the remembrance of the five students who were murdered in cold blood on that fateful day namely George Akinyemi Iwilade, popularly known as Afrika who was a 400L Law Student and the then Secretary-General of the Students' Union; Eviano Ekelemu, a 400L Medicine Student; Yemi Ajiteru, an Extra Year Student; Babatunde Oke and Efe Ekede, a Student of Psychology. According to Prof. Aransi, the University remains uncompromising on its zero- tolerance for cultism and urged the students to cooperate with the management in ensuring th

In fulfilment of his promise to fully reinstate all organs of students’ unionism in OAU, the Professor Eyitope Ogunbodede-led administration has inaugurated Students’ Electoral Commission and Students Electoral Petition Commission. Speaking on behalf of the University management, the Dean of Students Affairs, Professor Isiaka Aransi, stated that OAU students activists should emulate their counterparts in developed world where student leaders engage management in dialogue in order to meet the academic and welfare needs of fellow students. This, according to him, is done through the unions investment drives, provision of scholarships, work and study programmes, among others. Professor Aransi advised the students not to be confrontational and aluta-focused in their approach. Rather, they should employ constructive engagement and dialogue to resolve issues with the management. Restating his avowed commitment and pragmatic demonstration of his administration’s determination to fully reins

Sheyi Babaeko The prestigious Obafemi Awolowo University Ile - Ife, otherwise known as The Oba Awon University celebrated her sixth decade of advancing the frontiers of knowledge locally and internationally on the 8th of June, 2021. It is fitting therefore to join the ever conscious Great Ife students, the entire staff and management team and of course the Great Ife Alumni worldwide to celebrate this great feat of academic excellence.  However, considering the foundational ethos upon which Ile-Ife is built, that is, "omode gbon, agba gbon lase da Ile- Ife". It is on this basis that I am calling and appealing to the entire alumni, friends of the alumni and the corporate organizations across the globe to mobilize grants from the government, the international community, corporate organizations and alumni worldwide. The recent events of ranking locally and globally have made this call imperative for our collective responsibility to give back to our Alma Mater so that the death of

The management of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife has emphasized the need for all the members of the University community to always observe the Covid-19 safety protocols as the institution resumes for the 2019/2020 Rain Semester. This was contained in a special release signed by the University Registrar, M. I Omosule and obtained by Ife City Blog on Thursday. According to the release, all students are expected to come into residence from June 19th, 2021 while lecture will start on Monday 21st, June, 2021 and it will take a hybrid form. The statement further added that all all special elective courses and large classes of more than 250 students will be taught virtually while those with lesser registered student population will have their lectures delivered in the physical mode. Omosule while wishing the students a peaceful continuation of the 2019/2020 Academic Session urged them to strictly adhere to such protocols as regular handwashing/sanitizing of hands, maintenance of social

Kayode Olawuni, Ife (L-R), The University Registrar, Mrs. M.I Omosule, The Pro-Chancellor and Chairman, Governing Council, Oscar Owelle Udoji, The Vice-Chancellor Prof. Eyitope Ogunbodede and the Representative of the Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II.  As part of the activities marking its Diamond Jubilee Anniversary celebrations, the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife has concluded plans to honour 60 distinguished Alumni and outstanding members of the society who have made the institution proud and contributed to its advancement over the last six decades. The Vice-Chancellor of the University, Professor Eyitope Ogunbodede disclosed this while addressing journalists at a World Press Conference organized by the institution to usher in commemorative programmes and the official launching of its 60th Anniversary logo held at the Institution's Faculty of Technology main conference hall on Tuesday 8th June, 2021. "Over sixty years of its exis

Report reaching us at this hour has it that two students of Obafemi Awolowo University(OAU) Ile-Ife, have allegedly committed suicide by drinking what is said to be sniper, a very deadly substance with one of them already confirmed dead while the other is still battling with his dear life. The deceased student identified as Adedeji Emmanuel, a 200 level student of the Department of Management and Accounting was reportedly found dead after drinking the poisonous content while the other student whose identity could not be ascertained as of press time is in a very critical condition and currently receiving treatment at the University's Teaching Hospital Complex, the OAUTHC. When interrogated, mates of the deceased student, Adedeji maintained that circumstances that could  have led to such action is unknown to them as he showed no signs of depression and is actively involved in social activities.  Reports of students in Nigerian tertiary institutions committing suicide has in recent

The Management of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife on Sunday 7th of March, 2021 issued additional press statement to further clarify the scheduled resumption of students of the institution for the practical contents of their courses.  This is in complement to the earlier released information on the subject matter dated Saturday 6th of March, 2021. The new statement reads as follows: "SPECIAL RELEASE (II) In furtherance of the information released yesterday, Saturday, 6th Day of March, 2021, and for MORE CLARIFICATION, the First Group of students expected on campus from Monday, 8th of March,2021 to Friday, 26th of March, 2021 for the PRACTICAL CONTENTS of their COURSES, are as follows: 1. Science - Parts 1 to 4 2. Pharmacy - Parts 1 to 4 3. BMS Parts 1 to 2 Nursing and 1 to 3 Med. Rehab 4. Clinical - Parts 1 to 3 5. Dentistry - Parts 1 to 3 6. Education - Only students  offering the following courses: (i) IED337-Experimental Chemistry for Secondary School Teachers I  (ii) IE

Academic activities were on Wednesday paralyzed at the campus of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife following a protest staged by the university chapter members of the striking Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities, SSANU and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions NASU, shutting all the entrances leading to the institution. Speaking with Ife City Blog, one of the striking worker who pleaded anonymity said the strike will continue as long as the Federal Government refused to honor their demands. According to the source, the two unions are on strike as a result of the government's refusal to grant their demands. "What you're witnessing here today is a national problem As I speak with you in all Federal Universities of Nigeria we are having the scenario and this is as a result of Government's failure in all the agreements signed with Unions. "As I speak with you the national leadership of SSANU and NASU are in Abu

The management of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife has announced February 8, 2021 as the resumption date for the continuation of the 2019/2020 Academic Session. This was contained in a special release signed by the University's Registrar, M.I. Omosule. According to the release, the institution has also cancelled the 2020/2021 academic session and expressed its  strong position on the prevention of the spread of the Covid-19 as it spelt out a list of the government approved safety protocols. The statement reads in full: "Consequent upon the directive of the Federal Government that schools should re-open, the Senate of Obafemi Awolowo University at its meeting held today, 19th January, 2021 announced the following resumption time-table for continuation of the 2019/2020 academic session that was suspended in March 2020 following the outbreak of COVID-19: "7th February, 2021-Final year students in the Faculty of Pharmacy, Clinical students in the College of Health

The Ife Mini Bus Drivers Unit (Sabo Lagere) of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Ife Branch has issued a new transport fares schedule.  The new upwardly reviewed charges scheme was circulated on Monday 5th of October, 2020, with a One day citywide shutdown of services from their members, which according to the Union was aimed at getting people aware and prepared.  Confirming the new fees with Ife City Blog, the Organisational Secretary of the Union Mr. Taiwo Bada gave the prevailing economic realities in the country as the basis for the price review, while appealing to the members of the public to bear with them. Details of the new fees is as follows: Gate to Campus N50.00 Within Campus N30.00 Campus Gate to Hostel & Market N80.00 AP, Mayfair to Campus N80.00 Sabo to Campus N100.00 Lagere to Campus N100.00 Alakowe, General & Ilesa Garage N50.00 Ilesa Garage to Lagere N50.00 Sabo to Mayfair N50.00 Lagere, Sabo to Alakowe N70.00 Mayfair to New Garage N50.0