Indigenes Protest Over Bamire’s Appointment as OAU VC

Ile-Ife indigenes yesterday protested the appointment of Prof. Adebayo Bamire as the 12th Vice Chancellor of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Osun State.

The youth said they protested because the management of the institution did not appoint an indigene of the town as the VC.

They said it rather appointed former Deputy VC (Academics) to fill the vacant post.

The Nation recalled that the elders and youths of Ile-Ife had urged the Federal Government to appoint a qualified indigene of the town as the VC, following the expiration of the tenure of Prof. Eyitope Ogunbodede.

The protesters attempted to enter the ICT auditorium where the name of the VC was announced, but they were denied entry.

After the name was announced, they trooped to the main gate to mount a roadblock, making it difficult for students and workers of the university to leave the campus.

The Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council, OAU, Ile-Ife, Owelle Udoji, had earlier announced the appointment Prof. Bamire at a news conference held at the ICT auditorium.

He said the post of the VC would be vacant by June 7, following the expiration of the tenure of Prof. Ogunbodede.

Udoji said the council, at its meeting held on December 7 last year, began the processes for the appointment of a new vice chancellor, who is expected to assume duty on June 7.

In line with the approval of the council, the vacancy was widely advertised, in compliance with relevant statutes and acts guiding appointment to the position.

Udoji said: “At a special meeting on February 14, the council perused the curriculum vitae of the 20 applicants, who indicated interest in the position. At the end of the exercise, 16 of them were shortlisted, having met the advertised criteria.

“The interaction with the candidates began on March 14 and ended on March 16. The 16 candidates appeared before the Joint Council and Senate Selection Board, with 15 of them present physically and one, at his request, virtually. The board examined the curriculum vitae, interacted with each candidate and scored them according to stipulated criteria.

“The three highest-scoring candidates were presented to the council for further consideration, as provided by the law. The exercise of the Joint Selection Board was witnessed by the representatives of the Federal Character Commission, who confirmed that the exercise was fair and transparent and carried out in full compliance with the provisions of the Federal Character Commission Act.”

March 18, 2022