Gbenro Adesina
Following the crisis that have characterised the appointment of the 12th Vice Chancellor of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), facts about the performances of the 16 candidates that were interviewed for the job have emerged.
According to the scores obtained by PrimeStarNews, the aggrieved contestant, Professor Rufus Adedoyin of the Department of Physiotherapy, an indigene of Ile-Ife, where the University is situated, is not among the first best eight candidates.
While the best candidate, who has been declared as the 12th OAU VC designate, Professor Adebayo Simeon Bamire scored 423 representing 84.6 percent, Professor Adedoyin scored 326 representing 72.4 percent to clinch 9th position.
The scores obtained by all the 16 candidates are as follows: Professors A. S. Bamire, 423 – 84.6 percent, R. O. Kalilu, 386 – 77.2 percent, K. T. Ijadunola, 383 – 76.6 percent, W. O. Siyanbola, 382 – 76.4, A. I. Okoh, 376 – 75.2, A. B. Ogunwale, 375 – 75 percent, K. A. Taiwo (Mrs), 373 – 74.6, B. T. Aluko, 364 – 72.8, R. A. Adedoyin, 362 – 72.4, G. A. Aderonumu, 352 – 70.4, G. Alebiowu, 352 – 72.4, G. Adeoti, 334 – 66.8, M. A. O. Aluko, 320 – 64, S. O. Jekayinfa, 318 – 63.6, A. J. Farinde, 308.5 – 61.7 and O. D. Makinde, 295 – 59.
However, notable Nigerians have condemned the series of protests that have characterised the decision of the Governing Council of the institution, who have announced Professor Bamire as the winner of the 12th OAU VC contest.
Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State, Traditional Religion Worshippers Association, State of Osun (TRWASO) and Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi; (Ọjájá II), have vehemently condemned the ongoing bizarre protests in OAU, stressing that anyone who is grieved against the VC selection process should follow a constitutional means of seeking redress.
Akeredolu, an alumnus of OAU, in a statement personally signed today said that the demonstration around the campus by some Ife indigenes and traditionalists, to allegedly protest the failure by the authorities to appoint “an Ife indigene” as VC was a disappointment, lamenting that the protest was the evidence of the rot in the academia.
Akeredolu did not mince words in saying that all those responsible for the protest should be ashamed of themselves noting, “The latest news on the invasion of the campus by some Ife indigenes and traditionalists, allegedly, to protest the failure by the authorities to appoint ‘an Ife indigene’, showcases the extent to which the system has sunk, almost irretrievably. This is, perhaps, symptomatic of the pervasive rot in the academia. This thoughtless, reckless and misguided step forebodes untoward occurrences in the future. A situation which seems totally extraneous elements to the university environment invade the serene ambience to offer support, presumably solicited and sponsored by those who may have lost out in the selection process, is lamentable. There can be no worse signs than these outward displays of attitudes alien to academia. To assert that we are disappointed is an understatement. All those responsible for this disgrace should be ashamed of themselves, and this is assuming they possess any sense of shame. This act should elicit the most strident condemnation from all good people. I condemn it without equivocation.”
The Ondo State Governor, who called on the university’s supervisory authorities to take decisive actions to address the issue and to prevent such occurrence in the future, lamented that the glory of his beloved alma mater had diminished noting that universities were more interested in trivial issues rather than teaching and research.
His words, “Our founding fathers had a vision. They had a mission. They picked the best to fulfil these lofty dreams. The current absurdity represents a hope betrayed. The disturbing facts emanating from Ife over an appointment which is internal, almost entirely, reveal the depth of rot in that system. The intensity of campaign for an office which serious scholars declined to take in the past for the fear of distraction, gives a glimpse on the quality of research purportedly undertaken in most places in recent times. It is disheartening! This latest assault on intellection by elements who, ordinarily, should not have any business with that ambience is unsettling. The silence of the intellectuals in that university suggests complicity and connivance.
He continued, “The supervisory authorities should, as a matter of urgency, weigh in heavily on this strange phenomenon creeping into the university. A university should live up to its charter of establishment. Certificates are awarded on ‘Character and Learning’. The events of the last few days depict, clearly, that our universities seem interested in issues too distant from teaching and research. The painful reality which comes with the knowledge that our Great Ife has joined other erstwhile centres of excellence which deal with the burden of rapidly receding glory, is sad indeed. If it is not enough to be a scholar and professor than to be a Vice Chancellor, then we should stop looking elsewhere for reasons for the pervasive decadence in the country. The age of innocence is long gone. The Gown appears too eager to learn from the Town in many ways. The battle seems lost, irredeemably.”
Also speaking, Oba Ogunwusi cautioned the aggrieved indigenes of Ife over the selection of a new OAU VC not to take laws into their hands, assuring them that their grievances would be looked into.
Noting that protests are legitimate rights and ways to pass messages of dissatisfaction across to the relevant authorities but such protests must not be made to jeopardize peace and security in the society, Oba Ogunwusi in a statement signed by his spokesperson, Otunba Moses Olafare said, “Protest is everybody’s right to make his or her unheard voice to be heard. This is always adopted by professional and academic stakeholders/trade unions; ASUU, NASU, NBA, NANS, religious bodies, political parties and even concerned individuals but it must be done peacefully. Over the years, the good people of Ife have been a superb host to the university even as they enroll their children and equally join qualified hands (Regardless of background) to work in the citadel of learning. The Ife community is proud to have partnered and still partnering the institution through the House of Oduduwa on viable programmes and projects capable of projecting Ile-Ife to the outside world as an ancient city ready for progress and development.”
Traditional worshippers, in a 10 paragraph statement signed by its President and Secretary, OLUOMO Dr. Oluseyi Atanda and Chief Ifasola Onifade, respectively, noted “with displeasure the alleged invasion of the campus of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun state by some people purporting to be traditionalists on Monday the 21st day of March, 2022.”
The traditionalists said, “We were told that those involved were protesting against the appointment of a non indigene of Ife as Vice Chancellor of the Institution.
“While we recognise the inalienable right of whoever feels aggrieved to protest of any perceived injustice, we consider it strange that our costumes, parapanelia and other items (except charms and strange objects as reported) synonymous with traditionalists were adorned by the protesters.
“After thorough checks, we discovered that the protesters were neither members of TRAWSO in our Ile-Ife branch, nor belong to our other branches around the Ile Ife community.
“As respected members of traditional institution, we were not involved in the running of the affairs of OAU and we were not involved in the processes that led to the appointment of the new Vice Chancellor for the University, hence, we have no justifiable reason to protest the appointment of the VC of the Institution, a Federal University for that matter.
“We call on security agencies to investigate and uncover those that dressed like traditionalists and invaded OAU and prosecute those that are found wanting.
“Our members were not involved in the protest. The activities of those involved are self-serving and shameful. The worrisome aspect is the fact that the protesters tended to portray us in bad light as fetish and uncivilised and we warn against the use of our items by people that are not known to us. Those that are involved should be warned seriously as our members will not take kindly with the repeat of such show of shame which may attract stronger reaction, or even litigation from our end to protect our integrity.
“We also advise whoever wants to express displeasure through protest to take proper channel and desist from the conducts capable of destroying the integrity and honour of others. We want to place it on record that our members did not participate in such despicable acts and we dissociate ourselves from the protest and describe same as inexplicable to use anything belonging to us, when in the real sense of it, the cause of the protest has nothing to do with us.
“We believe in fairness and we oppose cutting corners. We did not participate in the protest within the Campus of OAU and we are not in anyway displeased with the management of the University regarding the running of the Institution.”
