By Adekola Afolabi
|
The Chairman, South-West Governors’ Forum and Governor of Ondo State, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, has condemned the invasion of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Osun State by Ife traditionalists over the appointment of new Vice Chancellor of the institution.
Akeredolu who is also an alumnus of the University described the development as outward display of attitudes alien to the academia, saying all good poeple must condemn the act.
Recall that some Ife indigenes and traditionalists allegedly invaded the University to protest the failure by the authorities to appoint “an Ife indigene” as VC.
In a statement he personally signed yesterday, governor Akeredolu who explained that the motto of the great citadel is “For Learning and Culture”, emphasised that any attitude which detracts from this mission must be jettisoned and discouraged
The statement said: “The media is awash with the most disturbing display of ignorance currently being showcased in our alma mater, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife. The appointment of the Vice Chancellor, an erstwhile rancour-free internal process, has now become a subject of not only intense politicking among the academics and their non-teaching counterparts. The process has, deplorably, been extended to the town with the attendant malcontents.
“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 sees 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 display of attitudes alien to the academia.
“There is bound to be this creepy feeling from all of us who have partaken of the glorious moments at that Fount of deep intellection and effervescent cultural expressions. 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.
“Obafemi Awolowo University has been a pride of the South West Region since her foundation by the purposeful political leadership at that period. Her new status as a national institution notwithstanding, the people of this geo-political space possess this emotional attachment, traceable to the politics of her establishment, anchored on the vision for the redemption of a race from colonialism, its tendentious predilections and the attendant loss of identity.