The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has lauded the Vice Chancellor of Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology, OAUSTECH, Okitipupa, Prof. Temi Ologunorisa, for his visionary leadership which has brought rapid infrastructural and intellectual development to the institution.
This is just as the association called on the Governing Council of the institution to tread softly in its handling of the crisis rocking the state institution.
Crisis had engulfed the university on Wednesday following the sack of 25 lecturers by the Governing Council on Tuesday over alleged irregular employment.
The situation led to workers of the institution blocking the entrance to the school and disrupting academic activities.
Some of the workers claimed the authority of the university, led by the chairman of the governing council, Akinbo Adesomoju, of sacked over 20 of them from the school despite being duly employed and issued appointment letters.
“We were surprised when we saw the letter stating that our services are no longer needed by the university,” one of the affected workers had said.
Reacting, National Vice President, External Affairs, Comrade Akinteye Afeez Babatunde, in a statement condemned the dismissal of the workers.
Akinteye said it was expected the Governing Council, under the leadership of Adesomoju, who had served the university in the past as Acting Vice Chancellor to know how to handle such a situation without igniting labour disharmony.
The statement read, “Without much ado and with all sense of responsibilities and care, I write openly to the Governing Council of OAUSTECH under the leadership of Professor Akinbo Adesomoju who has served the University in the past as Ag. Vice Chancellor of OAUSTECH.
“It is rather unfortunate that I have to at this juncture, latitude of space and of mind without any mumbo-jumbo put up this letter of resentment towards the ongoing catastrophic disaster and breech of Academic inches tractions. It is pertinent to set the record straight at this point that anyone with love of OAUSTECH at heart would not do anything or part of whatsoever process that would jeopardize her growth.
“For some of us who know you too well, our expectations are high as we’re always of the belief that having a former Ag. Vice of Chancellor of the institution as the Chairman Governing Council would birth development that words can not in anyway express but it seems the status quo is otherwise and it’s disheartening.
“It isn’t enough to talk about peace. One must believe in it. And it isn’t enough to believe in it. One must work at it. Without mincing words, peace is one thing that has been evident on OAUSTECH Campus and every goal driving & growth enthusiast must work towards its persistence. Sadly the OAUSTECH Governing Council wants otherwise which is suicidal to the growth and development of the institution*
“The Vice Chancellor,Prof. Temi Ologunorisa has laid that solid foundation for OAUSTECH to thrive, develop and grow and it’s expected that anyone with the love of the school at heart would follow suit.
“The Vice Chancellor, Prof Temi Ologunorisa has done all in his capacity to put behind the institution zigzag academic calendar, putting in place swift and time-to-time payment of staffs in order to see the to the smooth running of the institution without elongation of sessions and academic calendar and as such we expect a proactive governing council to follow suit.
“The employment of OAUSTECH first class graduates is one that we must applaud and their sacking is one that must be generally frowned at. They’re our products and it’s not out of place to have them working in the school. Any move against them is one that would be considered as anti-OAUSTECH growth & development policy hence we call on the institution’s governing council to desist from such (sacking of OAUSTECH First Class graduates and some other starts both teaching and non-teaching without convincing reasons).
“Conclusively, it is expedient that the governing council of OAUSTECH do all in their capacity to maintain peace, growth and development in OAUSTECH and shun whatever act and orchestrations that’d stand against this. The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Temi Ologunorisa is a man who has proven beyond reasonable doubt that his major goal and aspiration is to see OAUSTECH succeed hence we expect maximum cooperation from the governing council and not otherwise. OAUSTECH must thrive, develop and grow!.”
