Some youths in Eruwa town gathered early today at the entrance Adeseun Ogundoyin Polytechnic to protest the removal of the erstwhile acting Rector, Mr. Peter Adejumo and called for the appointment of substantive rector in the institution.
The youths who gathered in number also demanded the removal of the Governing Council Chairman of the institution, Prof. Samuel Ogundiran for failure to appoint substantive management.
The major entrance to the institution was locked as students and members of staff were prevented from entering the campus.
Recall that ODUDUWA NEWS had earlier reported the dissolution of management of the institution and subsequent appointment of Rector, Bursar and Head of Works in acting capacity.
The Governing Council of the institution had on Friday approved the appointment of Dr Akinteye O. Adewuyi as the Acting Rector, Oladipo S. Abimbola as the Acting Bursar and Abeegunde O. Olatunde as the Acting Head of Works, following the expiration of the six months tenure of the interim management.
According to the governing council chairman, Professor Samuel Ogundiran, he said “the appointment is in accordance with the Conditions of Service for Nigeria Polytechnics as contained in National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), Chapter Ten Cap (e)” that acting appointment shall be for a period of six months in the first instance and could be reviewed for another final period of six months.
Ogundiran said that the incumbent acting Rector, Mr Peter Adejumo’s tenure ended on 10th September 2021.
Meanwhile, in reaction to the protest, the Chairman while speaking today to the correspondent of ODUDUWA NEWS via telephone conversation through his Media Aide said, those who protested were rented and ignorant of the laid down rules and regulations for the appointment of substantive Rector.
He made clarification further as quoted thus: “Governing Council doesn’t appoint Acting Rector for the third time as insinuated by the protesters, the Governing Council was inaugurated last year July and it appointed Acting Management by August. The Council does not unilaterally appoint substantive management because it does not have final decision on substantive management but to select best three names which shall be forwarded to the Governor for final appointment after proper screening.
“The process for substantive management has started already, interested candidates have applied and the application closed by July, interview and selection of credentials shall commence next week.”
“What the Council did at the last meeting was in accordance with the provision of NBTE Scheme of Servic and Chairman can’t take unilateral decision without the consent of the entire Council, the decision was taken at the meeting not the room of Council chairman.
The Chairman however appealed for calm as the decision of the Council was in the best interest of the institution and urged the protesters to allow peace to reign and not to allow themselves to be used by those who are not happy with smooth academic calendar being enjoyed at the institution.