Sack of UNILAG VC: Prof Olowe, Ex-ASUU Chair, Backs Babalakin

A former chairman of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, University of Lagos Branch, Prof. Rufus Ayodeji Olowe, has thrown his weight behind last week’s sack of the institution’s Vice Chancellor, Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, by the Dr. Wale Babalakin-led Governing Council, describing it as a condition to drain the swamp that the university had become.

In a statement he personally signed and made available to The Crest, Olowe, who is also the Head of the university’s Department of Finance, said the allegations raised against the sacked Vice Chancellor had been under investigation since 2019 and Prof. Ogundipe was also given ample opportunity to defend himself.

Olowe said the elite institution had decayed under the sacked VC, and he needed to step aside to allow for proper investigation.

Urging the leadership of ASUU, SSANU, NASU, the students and staff of the institution not to be swayed by the “rumour” that Ogundipe’s sack didn’t follow due process, he insisted that the Wale Babalakin-led Governing Council observed the university’s regulation in arriving at its decision. The Council acted in the best interest of the university, Olowe said..

Below is the full text of Prof. Olowe’s statement:

PROF. AYO OLOWE

LET US UNITE FOR PEACE

I salute the reaction and courage of some our colleagues on the recent removal of the Vice Chancellor. It is indication of our sensitivity to the proper governance and management of our University. I have always been your humble servant. I will always remember and be grateful for the full support you gave me throughout the five years I spent as the Branch Chairman, Unilag ASUU. Through your support, remarkable achievements were made by the Union during my tenure.

On the current impasse going on in the University, we must face the truth. We need to address the issue not the personality. Fine, Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe has done well in terms of uplifting the ranking of the University. The issue we are talking about here is corruption going by the public disclosure of the Council’s findings. Corruption is a very dangerous disease that can damage the good name, certificates and reputation of the University that our forefathers have worked for. Buhari’s regime has zero tolerance for corruption. Corruption will undermine ASUU struggle and infrastructural development of the University. Corruption will discourage funders from continuous funding of the University. We are intellectuals and the society looked at us as the role model in fighting corruption . Consequently, we have to be very cautious and careful in the way we handle this matter so that we will not all be consumed in the process.We should address the issues at hand (CORRUPTION) not the personality.

COMMENDATION TO THE BABALAKIN-LED COUNCIL

I must commend the Babalakin-led Council for a job well done going by the thorough investigation into all the affairs of the University especially as to the failed library project, infrastructural development, efficiency and profitability of various operating units of the University. This is my first time of seeing this kind of thorough work. Their findings will go a long way in addressing all areas of weaknesses and building on the strengths for all the operating units and eventually infrastructural development of the University.Consequently, I have full confidence in Babalakin-led Council to carry out the oversight functions in the University.

REMOVAL OF THE VICE CHANCELLOR

Going by the public disclosure, this matter has been on since 2018. Senate became aware of this matter in early 2019 when the Vice Chancellor and other Principal officers were queried on allegation of various corrupt practices. Senate relied only on the information at their disposal and could not take action since the person being accused is the Chairman of Senate. Just as in other Countries and establishment, for transparency purposes, the ideal thing then was for the Vice Chancellor to have stepped down his position to allow for proper investigation. This is because the power, influence and dominance of his position as the Vice Chancellor will not allow for fair and transparent investigation. The Vice Chancellor did not vacant his position while allegation of various other corrupt practices continue. The University is also bundled with financial crisis, growing debts, loss of operating units, and decaying infrastructures. The Vice Chancellor was removed by Council on Wednesday, August 12, 2020, through a vote of 6 for removal and 4 against removal. Some of Senate representatives participated in this election. If they believe due process has not been followed, they should not have participated in the voting exercise.

A lot of things might have transpired between early 2019 and August 12,2020. We are not in a position to ascertain whether due process has been followed or not as we lacked the right information. We might have been relying on rumours. The University is owned by the government who exercised his authority and powers over the University through the governing council. Consequently, the Council is the employer of all staff including the Vice Chancellor. They have the right to hire and fire. They also have the right to safeguard the assets and reputation of the University through their oversight function. They have immediately appointed a reputable member of the University, Professor Omololu Soyombo as the acting Vice Chancellor. Since no permanent Vice Chancellor has been appointed, the ideal thing for us is to work with the acting Vice Chancellor towards the resolution of the impasse. The appointment of an acting Vice Chancellor is an opportunity for Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe to prove his innocence. If Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe has been wrongly dismissed, he can protest to the Council for them to revisit the case. He can also protest to the Visitor.

SENATE MEETING OF AUGUST 13, 2020 – WRONGDOING AND ILLEGAL 

Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe was removed as Vice Chancellor on August 12, 2020 by Council. By 7.39 pm on that day (August 12, 2020), I got a notice of emergency meeting of senate in my email as follows:

“Dear Senate Members,

The Vice Chancellor and Chairman of Senate has directed that an Emergency meeting of Senate holds tomorrow, Thursday, August 13, 2020 as follows:

DATE: Thursday, August 13, 2020TIME: 10.00 a.m.

Venue: J.F. Ade Ajayi Auditorium, University of Lagos.

Thank you.

Director, Academic Affairs”

The Acting Vice Chancellor and the Registrar were not around. Apparently Prof.Oluwatoyin Ogundipe continued to act as the Vice Chancellor after his removal. Since he has been removed from office, he lacked the capacity to call for the meeting of Senate. According to the law of the University, only the Registrar can sign and send notice of meeting of Senate and he will also act as the Secretary of Senate. The Registrar was far away in Abuja and he has not delegated his responsibilities to the Director of Academic Affairs. Consequently, the Senate meeting of August 13, 2020 was not legally constituted and all decisions at that meeting a nullity.

STAFF UNION RALLY OF AUGUST 13, 2020

Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe stood with the leadership of ASUU and some past officials of SSANU to address a rally of a few staff on August 13, 2020, protesting against the removal of the Vice Chancellor. Admittedly, the Union and other loyalists who felt hurt by the removal of the Vice Chancellor have the right to raise dissenting voices and protest, but the Vice Chancellor should not be seen at such a rally. The Vice Chancellor position is a political appointment and agent of the government, it is not right for him to participate in a rally protesting against his removal. It could be misconstrued as if he is inciting the Unions.

DUE PROCESS ON REMOVAL OF VICE CHANCELLOR

The Chairman of Council, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria insisted that due process have been followed. As mentioned earlier, we are not in a position yet to quickly doubt him since we lacked the right quality information. The appointment of the acting Vice Chancellor will bring the true picture clearer. Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe can be asked to protest to the Visitor if he believes that due process has not been followed.

APPOINTMENT OF ACTING VICE CHANCELLOR – PROF. OMOLOLUSOYOMBO

The choice of Prof. Omololu Soyombo by Council is a good one. Prof. Omololu Soyombo is a man of peace and proven integrity in the University. He is gentle, reliable and trustworthy. I have full confidence on his ability to resolve the current impasse in the University. His appointment in the acting capacity will facilitate the resolution of all the problems of the University. If the Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe believes he has been wrongly removed and due process has not been followed, he can protest to the Visitor.With Prof. Omololu Soyombo in the helm of affairs, justice will be done because he has zero tolerance for injustice. I hereby appeal to all members of the University community and all other stakeholders to fully embrace and cooperate with our new acting Vice Chancellor, Prof. Omololu Soyombo. By God’s Grace, through him the current impasse will be resolved and our University will be taken to the greatest height to be the first transparent University in Africa.

APPEAL TO ASUU AND STAFF UNION

I hereby plead and appeal to ASUU and other Unions to embrace and cooperate with the new acting Vice Chancellor to give opportunity for the current impasse to be resolved.The issue involved is corruption. It can damage the reputation of ASUU. ASUU at the National Level has zero tolerance for corruption. Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe can protest to Council/Visitor. I believe the road is not closed, if Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe is proven to be innocent he will reinstated. ASUU should not be distracted. We should concentrate more attention on the current National struggle, our withheld salaries, Lagos Factor, staff victimisation and other local grievances. I pray for the leadership of the Union. By God’s grace, our union will grow from strength to strength. Aluta Continua, Victoria Ascerta.

APPEAL TO ALUMNI ASSOCIATION, STUDENTS AND OTHER STAKEHOLDERS

I hereby appeal and plead with the Alumni Association, students and other stakeholders of the University to give opportunity for the Acting Vice Chancellor, Prof. Omololu Soyombo to resolve the current impasse. The issue we are talking about is corruption that can damage the good name and reputation of the University. I believe that through the acting Vice Chancellor, all injustices will be addressed.I want to say a big thank you to everyone that took their precious valuable time to read my contributions towards this impasse.

Greatest Akokites

Long Live Unilag Students

Long Live NASU Unilag

Long Live SSANU Unilag

Long Live NAAT, Unilag

Long Live ASUU Unilag

Long Live Unilag Alumni Association and other stakeholders

Long Live, Unilag Senate

Long Live Unilag Council

Long Live Federal Republic of Nigeria

Thank you all.

Your Servant

Prof. Ayo Olowe

Professor of Finance, Member of Senate and Former ASUU Chairman, Unilag Branch, (2005-2010)