We Are Not Protesting Against Inauguration Of OAU Vice Chancellor — Ife Community

Leaders of Ile-Ife, on Monday, disclosed that its people will not protest against the inauguration of Professor Simeon Bamire as the 12th substantive Vice Chancellor of Obafemi Awolowo University.

Youths and stakeholders in the community had after the announcement of the Vice Chancellor in March protested against the decision on the ground that qualified Ife Indigenes were shortchanged in the process and some youths also planned to protest against the inauguration slated for tomorrow.

However, the community under the aegis of Ife Community Assembly, in a statement jointly signed by Presidents Ife Development Board and Ife Progressive Forum, Comrade L. Awowoyin and Dr. Gbolagade Fomoriyo, stated that protest against the University has been suspended and remain so.

It reads, Our attention at the Ife Major Stakeholders level has been drawn to a Posting titled “OAU VC INAUGURATION-A CALL FOR ANARCHY”. Signed by the International Co- coordinator of Ife Youth Organization. While commending the Ife youths and other stakeholders for coming out to be counted in the defense of Ife and Ifes, especially in seeing that their rights/entitlements are not denied them under any guise, of policies or criterion.

“It is also commendable that Ife Youths allowed the intervention that led to the suspension of the Protests against the perceived marginalization /manipulation in the last exercise leading to the appointment of the 12th Obafemi Awolowo University Vice Chancellor.

“Allowing the intervention should be seen by the whole World that the Protest was not meant to dent the highly rated reputation/image of our Obafemi Awolowo University but to ensure that things are done in the right way, transparently and devoid of prejudice in any form, to sustain the renowned excellent reputation of our noble Citadel of learning and character moulding.

“Let us all be assured that the focus of the struggle was to get things done rightly in Obafemi Awolowo University, transcending appointment of Vice Chancellor. Therefore efforts to correct areas of maginalisation, manipulation, and injustices shall continue even after Inauguration of the 12th Vice Chancellor, Professor Adebayo Bamire.

“We therefore, as Major Stakeholders in Ife Community and frontline members in the struggle to defend and protect the interest of Ife and Ifes; join our Royal Father, His Imperial Majesty Ooni Adeyeye Ogunwusi,other Stakeholders and individuals in appealing to our Youths, in particular Ife Youth Organization to allow the suspended protest in whatever form remain suspended.

“Consequently on behalf of Ife Community, it is hereby declared that NO PROTEST in whatever form on the subject under reference is authorized for now in Ile-Ife.

“We welcome all invited guests/persons to the Inauguration of the 12th Substantive OAU Vice Chancellor, assuring them of peaceful atmosphere and security, before, during and after the Ceremony.

“Assuredly, there are ongoing meetings and consultations to get all issues relating to the symbiotic relationship of Ife Community and Obafemi Awolowo University resolved holistically. We say unequivocally that we will not relent until justice and transparency become the norm in Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife”.