Osun College of Education crisis: Committee reverses provost’s suspension, orders status quo

The Investigative Committee on the leadership crisis rocking the Osun State College of Education, Ila- Orangun has reversed the suspension of the college provost, Prof Jimoh Afolabi and ordered status quo ante pending the outcome of the investigation.

At its meeting chaired by the Committee Chairman who is also the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Hon Kazeem Akinleye, both the Governing Council and the College management were directed to revert to state of affairs before the eruption of the crisis.

In a statement signed by the spokesperson to Governor Ademola Adeleke, Mallam Olawale Rasheed, said the meeting took almost four hours of presentations by both parties.

According to the statement, the committee further instructed both the Provost and the Governing Council Chairman, Dr. Peter Babalola, to avoid further escalation either through media war or litigation.

The Committee Chairman also reminded the principal officers of the college’s enabling law, the public service financial regulations and the oath of office they took upon their appointments.

“We also don’t want the crisis to paralyze the school. Any protracted leadership crisis can disrupt academic activities and even the peace of the Ila Orangun community.

“At the same time, we want to ensure protection of public funds. We have made far reaching recommendations to prevent any future re-occurrence of such infighting and confrontation”, the Committee Chairman noted after the meeting.

The Governing Council Chairman, the College Provost and other top officials of the College attended the committee hearing.

The committee hearing continues.