UNIOSUN management not in support of staff who ridiculed ex-VC

The management of the Osun State University (UNIOSUN) has condemned the action of some staff of the institution who described Prof. Labode Popoola, the outgone Vice-Chancellor as a mischievous tyrant and enemy of their welfare.

This is as the concerned staff of the institution has dissociated themselves from the action tagging it as a figment of the imagination of the University.

The Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Osun State University (UNIOSUN), Ademola Adesoji in an interview revealed that the university management was not in support of the action adding that the institution would respond appropriately with sanctions when the time came.

According to Adesoji, the outgone VC, Prof. Labode Popoola in his five years in office served meritoriously and such action from the disgruntled staff was meant to tarnish the integrity and good image of an individual who was accorded a glorious welcome back to the University of Ibadan where he is a serving academic staff.

The UNIOSUN spokesperson while describing Popoola as an achiever, trailblazer and administrator per excellence noted that he transformed the university and made landmark achievements that both staff, students and friends of the institution are proud of.

He explained that the aggrieved members of staff were the ones that were affected by his progressive actions which included blocking of financial leakages, zero tolerance to corruption stance, fiscal discipline and prudence in the management of university funds.

On Friday, some members of staff, the Non-Academic Staff Union and members of staff under the aegis of Joint Action Committee had in a widely circulated video and pictures on social media described Prof. Popoola’s disengagement from the institution as the exit of a mischievous tyrant.

In the widely circulated pictures, members of staff could be seen sweeping the university premises, former VC’s office and the main gate.

The members of staff in another picture who could be seen in a celebratory mode cooking and eating in an open field described their action as a ritual to cleanse the university after the exit of the VC.

It could be recalled that UNIOSUN had on November 3, 2021, appointed a 45-year-old Professor of Geo-Technical Engineering, Adefemi Bello as the Acting VC pending the appointment of a substantive VC for the university.

The appointment of a substantive Vice Chancellor for the institution has been stalled because the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) and seven other professors had instituted a caase before an Osun State High Court.