Workers storm OAU over alleged N178m scam
Protesters
| credits: Sodiq Oyeleke
| credits: Sodiq Oyeleke
Workers of Institute of Agricultural Research and Training, Ibadan, on Friday stormed the premises of the Obafemi Awolowo University to protest alleged misappropriation of N178m and a lingering industrial crisis in the institute.
The placard-carrying protesters lamented the non-implemenation of the report of the OAU’s panel and the directive of the Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina, by the Vice Chancellor of OAU, Prof. Bamitale Omole.
IAR&T is in affiliation with OAU while Omole heads the charter binding the two institutions together.
The protesters, in a communique made available to our correspondent, accused Omole of shielding the director of the institute.
It read in part, “We want to report that the crisis centres on allegation of financial impropriety. These allegations have been investigated by two separate panels and these panels have indicted some people.
“Consequently, the minister has given specific directives through a letter – Ref. No. AGWR5 12/52/CI/V/118 – dated April 8, calling on the VC to institute disciplinary actions against those indicted in the misappropriation of the Institute’s fund to the tune of N178m. In spite of this, the VC permits the director to remain in office, which we consider a cover-up by the VC.”
The spokesperson for the protesters, Mrs. Ajoke Oyegbami, also urged Omole to demonstrate willingness of the university to resolve the crisis.
“We call on all well-meaning academics and other stakeholders in the academic and agricultural sector to join us in calling on the VC to be more sensitive to the complaints about the state of the institute and the plight of its staff,” she said.
CULLED FROM: PUNCH NEWSPAERS
May 13, 2013 by Sodiq Oyeleke
Written by NEWSTRAWL ONLINE UPDATE
Sodiq Oyeleke is a Media, Human Resources, Project Management and Public Relations Practitioner
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