The Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Prof Olusola Oyewole, on Thursday appealed to the agitating labour unions and students of the institution to give peace a chance.
Speaking with reporters in Abeokuta, Oyewole blamed the crisis rocking the university on “internal politics,” stating that he would eventually be vindicated.
The VC spoke just as the management of FUNAAB set up a committee to look into the remote and immediate causes of the recent violent protest by students of the institution.
The university authorities, which also postponed the resumption of the students indefinitely, said the decision was aimed at checking future occurrence of such unrest.
Aggrieved members of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities had on Wednesday shut the vice chancellor’s residence and the Senate Building in protest against Oyewole.
They also faulted the suspension of three SSANU members by the VC over a petition sent to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, detailing allegations of fund mismanagement in the university.
Oyewole, however, claimed that he had improved the rating of the university and empowered its staff and students, stressing that he did not deserve to be removed for unjust cause.
The VC declined to comment on his case with the EFCC, adding that he believed, “The agency will do proper investigation.”
“It’s just that there may be some vested, external interest in what happened. Our students are naturally peaceful students, they are not used to that type of activities but for some external influences which we suspect.
“I have tried my best for the system; we’ve had this type of experience in this university, when it’s getting to the end of tenure of the Vice Chancellor. But by God’s grace, we’ll get over it.
“We have tried to improve the quality of our research in this university. We’ve empowered the staff and the students internationally. The students’ population has grown tremendously really and we’ve ensured that proper academic activities take place in the university system,” he said.
Oyewole denied that the suspension of three staff of the institution did not follow due process, saying the decision was in accordance with the university regulations.
The vice chancellor noted that the university management had always been alive to its responsibility of securing the lives and properties of staff and students.
He, however, said the university planned to convene a stakeholders meeting with the landlords of the off campus hostels where some FUNAAB students reside with a view to addressing the current security challenges in the communities.
Meanwhile, the university said yesterday that the earlier declared mid-semester break has been extended till further notice pending when the committee’s report would have been considered by the university.
“Students are also enjoined to ignore any payment directives through the social media, as currently being circulated,” a statement by the Head, Directorate of Public Relations of FUNAAB, Mrs. Emi Alawode, said.
Alawode explained that the decision to constitute the panel was taken at the Special Senate meeting of the university held on Monday to assist staff and students in providing additional security and to further support the initiatives of both the Federal and state governments.
