Workers and students of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) ,Ile- Ife in Osun State trooped out in a jubilation following the Federal Government’s dissolution of the institution’s governing council and the suspension of the process of the selection of a new Vice Chancellor.
The staff and students said it was a victory for the redemption of the integrity of the institution which over the weeks had been hit by the crisis trailing the selection process of a new Vice Chancellor (VC) and the exit of the immediate past VC, Professor Bamitale Omole.
Staff and workers dancing and singing victory songs following the Federal Government dissolution of the governing council, pending a court verdict.
It is the anti-climax of a crisis that has enveloped the institution over various allegation of corruption against the immediate past Vice Chancellor of the University, which had resulted in the indefinite closure of academic activities.
The Chairman of the Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Universities (SSANU) at the university, Ademola Oketunde said the decision of the Federal Government was an indication that the Buhari Administration was totally committed to the fight against corruption.
For the staff of the institution, it was a victory for the anti-graft policy of the Buhari administration and the commitment and resilience of the staff who were never ready to settle for anything less.
However, like Oliver Twist, the staff will ask for more from the Federal Government. This time, a panel of inquiry to look into alleged abuse of office by the immediate past administration of the institution.
Meanwhile, the spokesman for the institution, Abiodun Olarewaju, said the school, being an establishment of the Federal Government, could not but abide by its decision.
