OAU names Elujoba as acting VC

In compliance with the directive of President Muhammadu Buhari, the Senate of the the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, has recommended Prof Anthony Adebolu Elujoba for appointment as the acting Vice Chancellor of the University.

A release by the Public Relations Officer of the University, Mr. Abiodun Olarewaju, stated that after an extensive deliberation by the Senate, presided over by the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Administration), Prof Omolayo Ajayi, Elujoba was elected by massive votes of the over 200 senate members in attendance.

The new Ag Vice Chancellor, is an accomplished academic who had served in various capacity over the years as the Head of Department of Pharmacognosis, Dean, Faculty of Pharmacy; Chairman, Committee of Deans and Chairman, Ceremonials Committee of the University among others.  He is also a n alumnus of the university.

The statement said the news of the recommendation of Elujoba was greeted with wide jubilation by the workers.

Students seek OAU’s re-opening

SOME students  of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) in Ile-Ife, Osun State, have called on the Federal Government to resolve the crisis over the appointment of  a new Vice-Chancellor (VC) for the institution. They also called for the re-opening of the school.

The students berated Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU) and Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) for what they called “selfish agenda”, saying appointment of a new VC should not an affair that should result in the disruption of academic activities. They said the activities of the unions were responsible for the indefinite closure of the school.

In a statement signed on the students’ behalf by Quadri Bello, the students enjoined the government  to ensure the school is re-opened while solution is being proffered to the crisis.

The statement reads: “We are tired of staying at home because some unions cannot resolve their differences with the management amicably. Being at home for more than 80 days is no fun. Our demand is that President Muhammadu Buhari should do all within the law to ensure that we are back to school in the shortest possible time.

“We understand that the OAU Act says the he cannot appoint an Acting VC; that is the duty of the Governing Council. But, we believe the president can reconstitute a new Governing Council that will work with the new VC while the aggrieved parties wait for the verdict of the Osogbo High Court.”

It would be recalled that the management shut down the university indefinitely last month due to a protests by NASU and SSANU, which claimed that the process that produced the Prof Ayobami Salami as VC did not follow the law. The government, on June 30, dissolved the Governing Council of the university. There has been no further action taken since then.

The students said: “We call on eminent citizens of this country to appeal to the striking unions to go into dialogue with the management to solve their grievances. Their unpaid allowances can be discussed at a meeting. Their case is already in court; they should exercise patience as law-abiding workers in awaiting the court decision on their matter. They can challenge the process of the appointment of the VC without disrupting academic activities. All we want is the reopening of our school and we plead with eminent Nigerians to help achieve this.”

Jubilation in OAU as FG dissolves governing council

Workers and students of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, on Friday jubilated following the dissolution of the university’s governing council by the Federal Government.

The dissolution of the governing council headed Prof. Ndoma Egba was said to have been announced on the Nigerian Television Authority late night Thursday.

The Public Relations Officer of the OAU, Mr. Biodun Olanrewaju, also confirmed the dissolution in Osogbo on Friday.

“I also saw the advertorial announcing the dissolution,” Olanrewaju said.

The Chairman of the Non Academic Staff Union in the university, Mr. Wole Odewumi, told our correspondents that members of his union and those of the Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Universities had been jubilating following the dissolution.

Odewumi said the appointment of the new Vice Chancellor, Prof. Ayobami Salami, had also been nullified.

He said the Federal Government would appoint an acting vice chancellor to direct the affairs of the university pending the constitution of a new governing council which would appoint a substantive VC.

The NASU chairman said workers had shut down the university’s senate building with the aim of preventing vital documents and property of the university from being stolen.

He said, “We are very happy today. We have been jubilating since we heard the announcement.

“Yes, it is true that the Federal Government has dissolved the governing council.

“We are still monitoring activities at the university’s senate building; we don’t want anything to be stolen from the place.”

Unions demand Acting VC for OAU

The Association of Staff Union of Universities, Obafemi Awolowo University chapter, has demanded an Acting Vice-Chancellor to steer the affairs of the prestigious institution.

This decision is in tandem with the Non Academic Staff Union as one of the issues resolved after their congress in a press Conference with Journalists in Ife, Osun state on Thursday.

It is expected that a letter detailing the resolution of the congress will be forwarded to the congress of the university on the clamour for a new VC after which the students will be welcomed back on Campus.

Notwithstanding, the Unions have continued to plead with the Students to understand their plight in spite of the ongoing protest and persevere for a better future in the University.

Comrade Wole Odewunmi and Comrade Adegoke from NASU and SSANU respectively urged the students to support the agitations of both Unions, saying: “The ongoing protest is one we have to fight till the end and if won will improve the welfare conditions of the University.

“We are fighting imposition of a new VC and mismanagement of funds, and we want to ensure that the University has a stable Calendar but we cannot currently achieve this with those in power at the moment.

“If they were brought in illegally, then we cannot trust them to act well, students need to understand that this is a fight for the betterment of Society.”

The Management of Obafemi Awolowo University has since shut down academic activities on June 23.

Update: Protest in OAU continues

Workers of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, under the aegis of Non-Academic Staff Union and Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Universities, on Thursday continued their protest.

They organised a protest on Thursday to mark the exit of the outgoing Vice Chancellor, Prof. Bamitale Omole, who will complete his tenure today.

On Wednesday, they protested non-payment of their allowances and alleged imposition of a  newly appointed Vice-Chancellor of the univesrity, Prof. Ayobami Salami, which they claimed was illegal because of alleged manipulation of the process that produced him.

The members of the university staff unions had embarked on continuous protest and strike action since June 6.

They noted that the protest and strike action were to enable the university authorities accede to their demands.

The protesters, who carried a mock coffin of Omole round the university campus, were singing unprintable songs against the outgoing the former vice chancellor, describing his tenure as “oppressive and corrupt.”

Putting on white dresses, the protesters said their choice of white attire was to show that they were not mourning but rejoicing the exit of Omole.

Update: Protest in OAU continues

Workers of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, under the aegis of Non-Academic Staff Union and Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Universities, on Thursday continued their protest.

They organised a protest on Thursday to mark the exit of the outgoing Vice Chancellor, Prof. Bamitale Omole, who will complete his tenure today.

On Wednesday, they protested non-payment of their allowances and alleged imposition of a  newly appointed Vice-Chancellor of the univesrity, Prof. Ayobami Salami, which they claimed was illegal because of alleged manipulation of the process that produced him.

The members of the university staff unions had embarked on continuous protest and strike action since June 6.

They noted that the protest and strike action were to enable the university authorities accede to their demands.

The protesters, who carried a mock coffin of Omole round the university campus, were singing unprintable songs against the outgoing the former vice chancellor, describing his tenure as “oppressive and corrupt.”

Putting on white dresses, the protesters said their choice of white attire was to show that they were not mourning but rejoicing the exit of Omole.

OAU SHUT DOWN INDEFINITELY – POST-UTME POSSIBILITIES ON HOLD

The Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State has been shut down indefinitely following protest by the Non Academic Staff of Universities (NASU) and Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (SSANU) over appointment of the institution’s new vice chancellor, Prof. Ayobami Salami.

The workers without giving heed to the ‘no work’, ‘no pay’ threat by the university’s authorities, went ahead to intensify their protest over what they call imposition of a Vice Chancellor on them as well as non-payment of their allowances.

According to them, the new Vice Chancellor’s appointment was illegal and they will ensure he does not resume office by Thursday.

Sequel to this development, the university’s authorities decided to poo down the institution.

According to the Registrar of the school, Dotun Awoyemi, the closure was to ensure the safety of students and staff.

In an announcement, the Registrar said, “We have shut down the university indefinitely pending the time that we will resolve issues with our workers – NASU and SSANU.

We have asked our newly students to go home and postponed the resumption of old students indefinitely.”

OAU threatens staff unions over absenteeism

Management of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun state has threatened its members of staff to resume work soonest or risk being paid their June salaries.

In a directive issued to the Senior and Non-academic staff unions of the Institution (SSANU and NASU respectively), ordering them back to work; signed by the D.O Awoyeni, the university Registrar, the University Management in a press statement said:

“The University Administration has viewed with grave concern the continued absence of some members of Staff of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the Non-academic Staff Union of Universities and Allied Institutions (NASU) from their duty posts without any declaration of trade dispute since 7th June, 2016.

The University administration hereby directs all such members of staff to immediately report to their respective duty posts; otherwise, the University Administration may not be in a position to guarantee the payment of June 2016 salaries to these categories of staff.”

NASU and SSANU have been protesting the emergence of Prof Salami as Vice Chancellor OAU since June; alleging his emergence as Vice chancellor illegal while challenging the decision with court proceedings.

Ever since Salami’s latest confirmation as VC early this week, members of staff may in turn, lose their jobs if they fail to comply.

OAU lecturers, ASUU chair in row over choice of VC

SOME members of the ObafemiAwolowo University’s chapter of the Academic Staff Union of University (ASUU) yesterday accused their chairman, Dr. Celeb Aborisade, of misrepresenting the union on the appointment of Prof. Ayobami Taofeek Salami as vice chancellor.

Speaking with reporters in Osogbo, the state capital, Prof. Adegbola Peter Akinola of OAU Mathematics Department said it was not correct that the ASUU supported the new vice chancellor’s appointment.

Akinola, who was accompanied by other three ASUU members, faulted Aborisade’s comment, describing it as inaccurate.

He maintained that the process that produced the vice chancellor was “not free, fair and transparent”.

According to him, the process was fraught with “at least two fundamental irregularities, which made it utterly unfair and decidedly skewed against all the contestants, except one person”.

Akinola accused the OAU ASUU chairman of issuing a statement on the VC’s appointment that was not authorised by the congress.

He described the statement as false and self-seeking.

OAU: ASUU disagrees with SSANU, NASU over new VC

As some industrial unions, including the non -teaching staff of the Obafemi Awolowo University are kicking against the appointment of the institution’s new Vice Chancellor, Prof. Ayobami Salami, the university’s chapter of the Academic Staff Union of the Universities (ASUU) yesterday described the process producing him as free, fair and transparent.

The ASUU disagreed with Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and Non Academic Staff Union (NASU.)
At an interactive session at the OAU ASUU’s secretariat, its chairman Dr. Caleb Aborisade, disclosed that there was a signed agreement in 2009 between the Federal Government and the ASUU on the appointment of the universities’ Vice-Chancellors.

Speaking particularly on OAU, he further disclosed that he appointment of the Vice-Chancellor was advertised and published in major national dailies, where according to him, the selection process was clearly stated.

Aborisade said that the university’s Governing Council and the Senate with the committee set up for the new appointment of the Vice-Chancellor was also stated in accordance with the selection procedure that the contestants must be a professor for at least 10 years.

He averred that unions’ role in the appointment of new Vice-Chancellor was clear enough, saying that it was discussed by the congress

Post UTME 2016 ; OAU Wont Conduct Post UTME

This statement which is purported to have emanated from the Public Relations Officer of Obafemi Awolowo University Ile-ife (OAU), Olanrewaju Abiodun has is that the institution in line with the Federal government’s directive will not be conducting Post-UTME for candidates seeking admission into the institution this year.

According to the statement credited to the PRO,”OAU is owned by the federal government, so we will not conduct our own Post UTME since we have been directed not to do so”
However, how the institution intends to run the admission process for this year was not disclosed.

I will advise you don’t abandon your books yet to avoid unpleasant surprises.

Court declare appointment of New OAU VC invalid

A Federal High court sitting in Osogbo, Osun State has declared the appointment of the new Vice Chancellor of the Obafemi Awolowo University Professor Salami, as invalid.

It was learnt that the Non Academic Staff Union of Universities NASU said that the Federal High court has granted the prayers of the NASU, as such declaring the appointment of Salami invalid.

It will be recalled that the Senate of the OAU, on Monday, June 6th, 2016 announced the appointment of the professor of Ecology and Environmental Studies Ayo Salami, as the new Vice Chancellor of the institution, after a brief meeting of members of the governing council.

Controversies have trailed the appointment of the new VC, since an alleged anointment by the outgoing Vice Chancellor Professor Bamitale Omole in April.

Earlier on Tuesday, report of disruption and total shut down of activities on the OAU campus was learnt, where NASU members were alleged to have been hunting staff, especially the members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities ASUU.

NASU has however vowed to continue in their protest and assured that any of it members won't go on strike, but stay to fight the illegal appointment.

The NASU Chairman Comrade Odewunmi stated :
”No man can come from Abuja and
become our vice chancellor » , if things keep going this way by ending of June we may go on strike because we will resist this ."

He added that only two of the 6 shortlisted candidates were taken to Abuja for approval.

"OAU registrar wrote a letter to all aspirants telling them to come to Abuja for the screening but just two went while four others boycotted it, they even promised to pay the aspirants money if they come, we will keep protesting this illegality, we have not started anything, we are determined " he said.

OAU SSANU, NASU protest appointment of new VC

The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities and the Non-Academic Staff Union, at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, are now protesting the appointment of Prof. Ayobami Salami as the new vice chancellor of the university.

Salami is the deputy vice chancellor (academics) and his name was announced as successor of the outgoing VC, Prof. Bamitale Omole, on Monday evening.

Omole is vacating the seat of vice chancellor before the of end of June.

The chairmen of SSANU and NASU, Mr. Ademola Oketunde and Wole Odewumi, respectively led hundreds of their members to stage a protest against Salami’s appointment in front of the Senate Building of the university as early as 8am.

Oketunde said despite the court order stopping the process of appointing a new VC, the governing council went ahead and announced Salami as Omole’s successor.

The protesters accused Omole of financial recklessness, saying the outgoing VC insisted on installing his DVC to cover his alleged illegal acts.

Details later…