The management of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) has reacted to the invasion of its campus on Monday by some indigenes of Ile-Ife in Osun, protesting against the appointment of non indigene as the institution’s vice-chancellor.
The protesting Ife indigenes closed the university’s two major gates as early as 6.00 a.m, thereby preventing vehicular movement from coming into the campus, while those inside the campus were disallowed from leaving.
The university governing council led by its chairman, Owelle Udoji, had on Thursday, shortly after the council’s meeting announced a professor of agricultural economics, Adebayo Bamire, as the 12th substantive vice-chancellor of the institution.
The varsity’s spokesman Abiodun Olarewaju in a statement on Monday evening said, “Today, Monday, March 21, 2022, things took more dangerous dimensions as the indigenes beat up some OAU students whom they met at the gate, blocked the two major gates as early as 6.00 a.m, coming into the campus with charms, and other fetish items.
“They assembled at the Motion Ground of the University Secretariat, dressed in all-white spiritual traditional attire, chanting incantations while performing rituals.
“The protesting indigenes closed the university’s two major gates, thereby preventing staff members, students and other stakeholders from either coming into or leaving the university.
“The protests by the Ife indigenes started last Thursday, March 17, 2022 shortly after the University Governing Council, led by its Chairman, Owelle Oscar Udoji, announced a Professor of Agricultural Economics, Prof. Adebayo Simeon Bamire, as the 12th substantive Vice-Chancellor.
“The protesters, who initially blocked the main gate of the university on the first day and threatened staff and students to stay away from campus, became very violent the second day as they beat up workers, particularly the staff of the Security Unit, and vandalised their office at the Main Gate.
“Some of the security staff had to be taken to the University’s Health Centre for treatment.”
The university assured that due processes were followed and merit was the basis for the appointment of the new vice-chancellor.
