Was Buhari Right To Have Dissolved OAU Governing Council?

President Muhammadu Buhari

Barely a week after the newly appointed 11th Vice Chancellor of Obafemi Awolowo University, Prof. Ayobami Salami gave his inaugural speech; it is surprising that he was suspended alongside with the varsity’s Governing Council that sat over his appointment process. While some feel President Buhari’s decision to act this way contravenes the autonomy granted to the universities, many feel the president is in order.

Last Thursday, the federal government announced the dissolution of the Governing Council of the citadel of learning as well as the suspension of the appointment of the new Vice Chancellor pending the determination of subsisting court case. Many have reacted to this development and described it as ‘a thunder strike’.

Following the FG’s pronouncement, members of Senior Staff Association of Nigerian University (SSANU) and that of Non-Academic Staff Union of Nigerian University (NASU) have openly thrown their weight behind the decision. Members of the Unions have been seen rejoicing ever since Professor Ayobami Salami reign as the VC was short lived. While the reactions of the NASU and SSANU members may not be too surprising, considering their earlier positions on Salami’s appointment, many students are of the opinion that the Unions are only doing this because they believe the new VC will not look into their grievances, a similar experience with the former Vice Chancellor – a position which some others consider to be untrue and watery, after all, one may not be able to pass a comment on a meal unless one tastes it.

In the mean time, there has been series of comments questioning and challenging the decision of the Federal Government from the aspect of legality.

A particular lecturer opined that, Nigeria as a democratic state recognises the supremacy of the law and as such the constitution is expected to be binding over both the rulers and the ruled. In his position, he stressed further by citing sections of the 1999 federal constitution of Nigeria; “this constitution is Supreme and its provisions shall have binding force on the authorities and persons throughout the Federal Republic of Nigeria”. He also cited that “If any other law is inconsistent with the provision of the constitution, this constitution shall prevail amid that other law shall to the extent of the inconsistency be void”. “Adducing from the above cited provisions of the constitution, the federal government should try and walk in consonance with the constitution.” he said.

In an article published in one of the national dailies by a group of people who named themselves ‘Concerned Obafemi Awolowo community members’, they objected that the order for the dissolution of OAU governing council grossly contravened the position of the University (MISCELLANEOUS PROVISION) (AMENDMENT) ACT 2003, otherwise called Universities Autonomy ACT NO 1, 2007 which clearly spell out functions, responsibilities and powers of the varied constituent organs amid functionaries of the Federal universities in the country.

Section 2A of the University (MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS) (AMENDMENT) ACT 2003, states;

“The council so constituted shall have a tenure of four years from the of its inauguration provided that where a council is found to be incompetent and corrupt it shall be dissolved by the visitor and a new Council shall be immediately constituted...”.

In the light of this, they positioned that the federal government should not have allowed itself to be illegally guided before taking such a speedy decision 'per incuriam' that is out of ignorance.

A particular student who would not want his name to be mentioned exclaimed out of curiosity, “was it not the same federal government that approved Prof. Salami's appointment? At least, he could not have assumed office without receiving a letter of appointment from the federal Government”.

The federal government should not have allowed itself to be misguided at the expense of its commitment to the rule of law and principles of fairness, justice and integrity, some other people have told OAU Peeps News Agency.

The (MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS) (AMENDMENT) ACT 2003 provides for the only instance where the governing council can be dissolved; “...where a council is found to be incompetent and corrupt it shall be issolved by the visitor and a new council shall be immediately constituted...”. The question now is that, has Buhari found the Council to be incompetent and/or corrupt?

It should be noted that the dissolved council headed by Prof Rowland Ndoma was constituted in 2013 and its tenure has not expired.

Speaking to OAU Peeps News Agency, a 400 level student of the institution said “maybe the reason why the Federal Government disbanded the governing council is because of the row between the unions and the Council towards the emergence of Prof. Salami as the Vice Chancellor”

Looking at various suggestions, controversies and debates that have heralded the decision of the Federal Government, the Federal government is yet to state why it dissolved the Council and some loyalists to the new Vice Chancellor feel it will be wise for President Buhari to revisit and reconsider the decision it has taken.

Students of OAU have remained at home since the 2014/2015 academic session ended in March this year.

University Of Ibadan Begins Semester Exams, VC Restates Commitments To Students' Welfare

UI Vice Chancellor, Prof. Idowu Olayinka

The Vice Chancellor of the Premier University of Ibadan, Prof. Idowu Olayinka has commended students of the institution as the Rain semester grinds to a halt. In a Statement signed by the VC himself, he encouraged the students to churn examination malpractice as they begin the semester examinations. He further described exam malpractice as the sole reason for losing studentship in the citadel.

Below are excerpts from the UI Vice Chancellor's release.

“1. I cannot but compliment you all for the commendable use to which you have put the latter part of this semester which is slowly grinding to a halt.

“2. I, on behalf of the management, wish you every success you require in the first semester 2015/2016 examinations and remind you as students of the First and Best University, the University of Ibadan, that only honest hard work pays and is always rewarded in our highly esteemed university.

“3. Over the past five years, all the students who bagged first class honors have been rewarded with scholarship to pursue their masters degree level at the University of Ibadan.

“4. The seriousness with which you have taken your academic work, the perseverance, determination, dedication, discipline and diligence is in line with the vision of this administration. We are committed to ensuring a well-functioning student assessment system and promote examinations that are objective, equivalent and trustworthy thereby producing excellent graduates with outstanding results and who complete their courses within minimum time.

“5. In the same vein, the University management restates that student's engagement in examination misconduct is a sole reason for losing studentship here. I enjoin you to refrain from any act which might jeopardise your remaining an esteemed member of this academic community.

“6. I warmly restate the unique opportunity you have in studying in Nigeria’s Premier University and, therefore, encourage you to take advantage of the facilities at your disposal especially lightening to be provided in the Kenneth Dike Library as well as lecture theatres in the Faculties of Arts, Science, Agriculture & Forestry, the Social Sciences and Technology at night for reading.

“7. Once again, my good will and best wishes are in order as the examinations commence.”

Reactions Trail OAU Governing Council Dissolution

Consequential to the unprecedented intervention of the Federal Government in the crisis rocking the Obafemi Awolowo University, on the evening of Thursday, 30th June, 2016, several persons have come out to comment on the rather controversial action of the Federal Government.

Mallam Adamu, through the Network Television Authority and publication in some popular Newspapers, announced the dissolution of the Governing Council of the Obafemi Awolowo University and University of Port-Harcourt, he also announced the suspension of the process of the appointment of a Vice-Chancellor for the former.

In response to this, many students and staff have made several comments on this actions as while some believe that the President, being the Visitor of the Institution, has the power to take such actions, some believe that Mr President might actually be breaking a few laws in dissolving the Ndoma Egba led Council.

Was President Buhari right to have dissolved the OAU Governing Council or he was ill-advised? Students react.

'Dozie, Faculty of Law
OAU as it is now is marred with confusion and there is a need, I think to stabilize the situation pending normalcy which it the exercise of the state of the state of emergency power granted by the president in Section 305 of the 1999 constitution. This talks about the power to act in Emergency stations even though is not expressly stated as the reason for the president's action. Going by the above, I opine that the advice was not wrong.

Kemi, Department of Family Nutrition and Consumer Sciences
I feel it's a slap on the face of the management for the F.G to even have to intervene at all, then I think it might raise some more issues.

Ayanfe, Faculty of Pharmacy
They should have been investigated by a panel before dissolution, for the process to be fair.

Samuel
The decision is quite right. At least this will help in the stability of OAU's academic calendar.

Babatunde
The dissolution, from my own point of view is for the main time in order to just rectify the misunderstanding.

Odusanya
Well, in supporting Olawale's view, there won't be continuity in the government which may in turn lead to a case whereby an outsider will emerge as the new vice chancellor. This kind of struggle occurred at Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB) in 2006/2007. Prof. Adu was embarrassed by the Unions like OAU's. Obasanjo intervened then and Prof. Olaiya Balogun, the former Deputy Vice Chancellor at University of Ilorin was appointed as the VC in 2007, hence, in terms of regulation of calendar, innovations, infrastructural development and welfare of both students and workers, Prof. Balogun has been the best in the history of FUNAAB till today. This could be possible because an outsider will definitely want to impress both the students and workers that he is capable unlike insider who usually follow trend. May God help us!

Oluniyi
Ill advised? Don't think so. President Muhammadu Buhari actually did the right thing as it will help relief the tension that has already been built in past weeks. Whichever way, I belief with the dissolution, the concerned party who are the students would be allowed to resume back to their studies while the process of appointment continues without causing further hinderance to academic activities.

Yakubu
I think the dissolution would be followed by an investigation of the happenings over the years in OAU, years of corruption, mismanagement. It would at least change the status quo of administrative ineptitude of the past.

Chiamaka
He was ill advised. This decision, I think, will lead to strings of court cases, in addition to the court case NASU already has which will likely postponed till God-knows-when due to the Eid ul Fitr.

Have You Heard Of Tehillah Concert 2016?

A night thousands of people are waiting for, a Night of signs and wonders, a crusade hidden in a concert.

Happening live in Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-ife

Theme: GRACE
Date: 19th of August 2016
Ministering:
1.Tee-music (an anointed, powerful music minister and the privileged president of Tehillah vision)

2.DAVID B (a mobo award nominee gospel artiste from the United Kingdom)

3.Odunayo Aboderin (an anointed minstrel who released the hit single 'elewi elese' which still blesses lives)

4. Philipage ( the composer of the hit single 'akodaiye asedaaye' and former choir leader at God's Love Tabernacle, Ile-Ife)

5.Ademola Olabinjo (an anointed music minister who also ministered at the 73 and 74 hrs marathon praise)

6.Tehillah vision minstrels and Psalmists.

7.Tehillah rising stars.


You don't want to miss this Euphonious crusade.

Come and be saved!

Come and experience the extraordinary!

Come To The Tehillah Concert 2016!

Announcer: TEHILLAH Board of Directors.



Proudly supported by:
OAU Peeps and TEHILLAH PARTNERS

OAU Peeps News Agency To Wear New Look

Dear readers,

"Change", the mantra that is no longer strange to Nigerians and, more importantly, an indisputable reality. This phenomenon has also not left your beloved news site.

Sometime around this period two years ago, the pregnancy of a foetal wild dream was birthed. Being a pioneer in the area of online campus journalism and news reportage, OAU Peeps News Agency has surely had  its rough days, but it is days like this that has forged us into the formidable force we are becoming by the day. Remarkably, by July 21, we would have served the 'OAU community with undiluted news stories for two solid years.

However to further improve the quality of our services most especially as our reader base, whose satisfaction and up to date information is the major motivation and lifeline of the agency, we must at occasional intervals respond to nature's call for ecdysis; we must shed the old skin to allow the growth of a new one, a bigger and better one!

Beloved Readers, now is one of such times as OAU Peeps Agency hereby uses this medium to inform all our friends, Patners, the Great Ife Community and even beyond that the Official logo of OAU Peeps News Agency has changed. The old logo, which was just an impromptu amateur designer's attempt to cover up a pressing demand, would no longer be the face of OAU Peeps.

Apparently, the change process is one that cannot happen all at once and hence just this now, one which has already been implemented on some of our platforms. It might take a little while before it reflects on all our platforms.

We find it pertinent to also point out that the change does not in any way signify a change of brand but as a matter of fact the improvement of one. We remain the OAU Peeps you know! We remain the OAU Peeps you trust! And we remain the OAU Peeps that would continue to redefine Campus Journalism!

You can always reach out to us on our various social media platforms.

Instagram - @OAUpeeps
Twitter - @OAUpeeps
Facebook - @OAUpeeps
Website - www.oaupeeps.com
LinkedIn - OAU Peeps News Agency
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Thank You!

Ojelabi Jesujoba
Editor-In-Chief
OAU Peeps News Agency

Registrar Is Not Acting Vice-Chancellor, Abiodun Olanrewaju Clarifies

The Public Relations Officer of Obafemi Awolowo University, Mr Abiodun Olarenwaju has said that the decision of the Federal Government cannot be questioned, hence final. This is coming some few hours after all members of the Governing Council of the institution handed over to the Registrar upon their dissolution.

While addressing members of the Press today, the University spokesman said since OAU is a Federal institution and the President is it's Visitor, therefore officials of the varsity have the sole responsibility to oblige to directives of the President without recourse.

It will be recalled that President Muhammadu Buhari, late on Thursday ordered the dissolution of the Governing Council of OAU due to the unabated Vice Chancellor selection crisis rocking the university.

He further clarified that the Registrar, Mr Dotun Awoyemi, had not been appointed as the Acting Vice Chancellor but was asked to handle the affairs of the University just for the main time.

In his words, Olanrewaju said,

“It is not done anywhere in the world that
the Registrar will become the Vice Chancellor of the institution, even the federal Government did not ask him to be the Vice Chancellor, also the Registrar cannot convey a Senate meeting where Resumption will be discussed, it is the appointment of an acting VC by the Federal Government that will pave way for Resumption”.

On when the acting VC will be appointed , he further said,

” I cannot state that but I believe that Federal Government will appoint an acting VC soon”.

"University Management Not Responsible For Town Robberies" - OAU PRO

Mr Abiodun Olanrewaju, OAU PRO

The OAU Public Relations Officer, Mr Abiodun Olarenwaju speaking today at the press conference organised by the OAU ACJ stated that the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-ife has some of the best Hostels. He further stated the reason for the current demeaning state of the halls could be attributed to the students for allowing squatters in their rooms which are only meant for Freshmen and Final year students and not returning students outside this circle. He further notified the journalists present that the Halls of Residence had been renovated on paper.

Also Speaking on the recent robbery attacks occurring off campus, he said the University Management is not to be held responsible for that so far the students are out of the axis of the university.

He also added, stating the obvious, that the price for bedspace was very cheap when compared to getting accommodation in town.