The students of the Osun State Polytechnic, Iree (OSPOLY) found themselves shut out of their citadel of learning on Tuesday morning, July 25, as the academic staff union of the institution decided to lock up the school entrance in protest of the suspension of the school’s rector, Dr. Tajudeen Odetayo.
Earlier today, OsunDailyNG reported that the Osun State government led by governor Ademola Adeleke suspended the rector who was first appointed by the former governor of the state, Gboyega Oyetola.
Recall that when Governor Adeleke assumed office as the state governor, he reversed the appointment of the rector but later approved it after a series of agitations.
Less than a year later, his administration decided to suspend Dr. Odetayo over what the government termed as “strong allegations of financial recklessness, corruption, misappropriation of funds, abuse of office among others.”
The state government did not stop there, in an internal memo signed by the permanent secretary of the state’s ministry of education, M. A.K. Jimoh, the state ordered Dr. Odetayo to “proceed on suspension Immediately while an investigation into the allegations leveled against” him “commences soon”.
Appointment of an acting OSPOLY rector
After the Osun State government suspended Dr. Odetayo as the rector of OSPOLY, the government appointed Mr. Alabi Kehinde Adeyemi as the acting rector of the polytechnic.
In an internal memo signed by Jimoh, the state ministry of education said Governor Adeleke appointed Mr. Adeyemi to take over from Dr. Odetayo “who is being investigated over the allegations of financial recklessness, corruption and misappropriation of funds and abuse of office”.
The statement added, “The erstwhile Rector should step aside pending the time the allegations against him are properly investigated by relevant bodies. The appointment of the Acting Rector takes immediate effect.”
OsunDailyNG gathered from a reliable source that Mr. Adeyemi does not hold a Ph.D. and his highest academic qualification is an M.sc. This is said to be one of the reasons the academic staff union would find it difficult to accept him as an acting rector over other Ph.D. holders in the institution.
Also, our correspondent gathered that there was an election to elect a deputy rector of the institution some weeks ago and five lecturers participated in the process including Mr. Adeyemi. Interestingly, the new acting rector finished third at the end of the process.
But to the surprise of the lecturers, when there was a need for the appointment of an acting rector, Mr. Adeyemi was deemed fit for the position ahead of others.
The standpoint of ASUP Over OSPOLY Rector saga
As mentioned earlier, the academic staff union of Polytechnic (ASUP), OSPOLY chapter, locked up the school entrance in protest of the suspension of Dr. Odetayo.
The ASUP members did not only lock up the school gate, they suspended academic activities indefinitely and also protested on Tuesday morning to further drive home their point that their colleague, Dr. Odetayo was suspended without due process.
ASUP chairman, OSPOLY chapter, Comrade Fatai Afolabi claimed that the state government suspended the Rector abruptly, without proper procedure.
He said, “The rector is being suspended for misappropriation, reckless and corruption, these are weighty allegations that you can’t just attach with anyone without substantive evidence, and that could be said to be a personal vendetta and absolute act of nepotism, and for this reason, there wouldn’t be examination or lectures until this is resolved.”
The students perspective
While the ASUP members continue to fight for the right of their colleague, Dr. Odetayo, the activities in lecture halls have been halted indefinitely due to the suspension of OSPOLY rector.
Unfortunately, this development happened when the students of the Daily Part-Time (DPT) programme were writing their examinations. Hence, the examination has to be halted indefinitely.
Also, OsunDailyNG gathered that the full-time students were supposed to undertake their second-semester examination in about two months but with the indefinite suspension of academic activities, that might be delayed a bit more.
On the side of the Students Union Government (SUG), the union is uninterested in the entire saga as it has decided to stay off of the stand-off between Dr. Odetayo and the state government.
OsunDailyNG gathered that the SUG has dissociated itself from the protest, making it known that it is of no concern to the students as it is between the government and the institution. The union went as far as pleading with the students to vacate the ASUP’s protest ground
OSPOLY Management Sues For Peace
In reaction to the protest by the ASUP members, the management of OSPOLY issued a statement on Tuesday, July 25, appealing to “staffers of the Institution, especially, members of the academic staff to remain calm and orderly.”
The statement retrieved by OsunDailyNG continued: “A statement signed by the Acting Registrar of the Institution, Mr. Abiodun Oloyede stated that both the Management and State Government are working to resolve the issue concerning the suspension of the Institution’s Rector, Dr. Tajudeen Odetayo and appointment of an Acting Rector, Mr. Kehinde Alabi on Monday.
“The Acting Registrar appealed to the entire Polytechnic community to go about their normal duties as the Management is in full contact with authorities of the state government to ensure that the matter is resolved.
“He assured the students that the ongoing examination would promptly resume as soon as possible.”
