OAU’s invasion by ‘Ife traditionalists’ shows pervasive rot in academia – Akeredolu

Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu has condemned the invasion of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife on Monday by “Ife traditionalists”.

The Ondo governor who is also the chairman of the South West Governors’ forum said the action showed the “pervasive rot in the academia”.

Akeredolu in a statement he personally signed, said the appointment of a vice chancellor was meant to be rancour free.

“The latest news on the invasion of the campus by some Ife indigenes and traditionalists, allegedly, to protest the failure by the authorities to appoint ‘an Ife indigene’, showcases the extent to which the system has sunk, almost irretrievably.

“This is, perhaps, symptomatic of the pervasive rot in the academia. This thoughtless, reckless and misguided step forebodes untoward occurrences in the future. A situation which sees totally extraneous elements to the university environment invade the serene ambience to offer support, presumably solicited and sponsored by those who may have lost out in the selection process, is lamentable. There can be no worse signs than these outward display of attitudes alien to the academia.

“There is bound to be this creepy feeling from all of us who have partaken of the glorious moments at that Fountain of deep intellection and effervescent cultural expressions. To assert that we are disappointed is an understatement.

“All those responsible for this disgrace should be ashamed of themselves, and this is assuming they possess any sense of shame. This act should elicit the most strident condemnation from all good people. I condemn it without equivocation.

“Obafemi Awolowo University has been a pride of the South West Region since her foundation by the purposeful political leadership at that period. Her new status as a national institution notwithstanding, the people of this geo-political space possess this emotional attachment, traceable to the politics of her establishment, anchored on the vision for the redemption of a race from colonialism, its tendentious predilections and the attendant loss of identity.

“If it is not enough to be a scholar and professor than to be a Vice Chancellor, then we should stop looking elsewhere for reasons for the pervasive decadence in the country. The age of innocence is long gone. The Gown appears too eager to learn from the Town in many ways. The battle seems lost, irredeemably,” the statement read.