…as protest rocks university following announcement
The management of Obafemi Awolowo University, OAU Ile-Ife, Osun State, has appointed a Professor of Agricultural Economics from the Faculty of Agriculture, Prof. Adebayo Simeon Bamire as the 12th substantive Vice-Chancellor.
A statement signed by the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council, Owelle Oscar Udoji, on Thursday, said the appointment takes effect from June 7, 2022.
The tenure of current Vice-Chancellor, Professor Eyitope Ogunbodede expired on June 6, 2022.
Pro-Chancellor said Bamire was appointed after a thorough selection process from 20 applicants.
According to the statement, “Council, at its meeting held on 7th December, 2021 flagged off the processes for the appointment of a new Vice-Chancellor who is expected to assume duties on 7th June, 2022.
“In line with approval of the Council, the vacancy was widely advertised in compliance with relevant Statutes and Acts guiding appointment to the position.
“At a Special Meeting of 14th February, 2022, the Council perused the Curriculum Vitae of all the twenty (20) applicants who indicated interest in the position. At the end of the exercise, sixteen (16) of them were shortlisted, having met the advertised criteria.
“The interaction with the candidates began on Monday, 14th March, 2022 and ended on Wednesday, 16th March, 2022. All the sixteen candidates appeared before the Joint Council and Senate Selection Board, with fifteen of them present physically and one, at his request, virtually.
“The Selection Board painstakingly examined the Curriculum Vitae and interacted with each candidate, and scored them accordingly to stipulated criteria.
“The three highest scoring candidates were presented to the Council for further consideration as provided by the law. The entire exercise of the Joint Selection Board was witnessed by the representatives of the Federal Character Commission who have confirmed the exercise was fair and transparent and carried out in full compliance with the provisions of the Federal Character Commission Act.
“In line with the provisions of the Universities (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Amendment) Act as amended, the report of the Selection Board was considered by the Council which, after a careful and dispassionate review of the report, decided to appoint Professor Adebayo Simeon Bamire, a Professor of Agricultural Economics from the Faculty of Agriculture, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, as the Vice-Chancellor of the University with effect from June 7, 2022. The decision of the Council shall be communicated to the Visitor to the University, His Excellency President Muhammadu Buhari through t Hon. Minister of Education.” the statement added
Meanwhile, following the announcement of the new Vice Chancellor of the institution some aggrieved indigenes of Ile-Ife stormed the school entrance to protest against the appointment of the new VC
THESOURCE gathered that indigenes, under the aegis of Ife town and gown, agitating for ife indigenous to become Vice-Chancellor.
