By Stephen Gbadamosi, Ibadan
Some prominent indigenes of Ijesaland, Osun State, have appealed to the State governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, to reverse the appointment of a new Rector for Osun State College of Technology (OSCOTECH), Esa-Oke.
They stated that the process leading to the appointment did not follow due process.
Organized under their umbrella Concerned Indigenes of Ijesaland, they, at a press conference held in Esa-Oke town at the weekend, expressed concern over what they termed “selection process” in choosing the new Rector.
They said the appointment of Mr. Adewumi Adebowale Sefiu as the Rector of the institution was not in accordance with the law.
They said it was wrong to appoint the leader of any public institution “based on family ties, rather than based on the overall interest of the people and qualification of contenders.”
According to them, the Chairman of Governing Board of the College, Prince Diran Odeyemi, who should advise the government accordingly, had not done this.
“You advertise a position in an institution in a national daily; and people who have qualifications such as PhD and even professorship, showed interest; but you went ahead to handpick someone with a Professional Masters Degree. That is unacceptable.
“We should have practices that will continue to make the College to be among the best in the nation. We are appealing to Governor Ademola Adeleke to reverse that appointment,” they said.
Also addressing the press conference, Barrister Femi Fafowora and Chief Taye Taiwo, the Akogun of Esa-Oke, claimed that it was wrong for the governor to appoint his nephew from Ede, “just as he did in Osun State Polytechnic, Iree.”
Fafowora said: “it is disheartening to see that the governor has introduced nepotism to the administration of the state; there are only two polytechnics in the state, Osun State Polytechnic, Iree and Osun State College of Technology, Esa-Oke, and only Ede indigenes are appointed as the Chief Executive Officers of the two polytechnics.
“While the Iree appointee has an academic Masters, which may be considered, it is saddening that Adewumi, who made a Third Class in Statistics from University of Ilorin and a Professional Master’s in Technology Management from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, was appointed as the Rector of OSCOTECH, Esa-Oke.
“This is saddening; is this showing the intellectual capability of the governor or his nepotic spirit?”
It will be recalled that the leadership of the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) and some opinion leaders in the state had earlier condemned the purported appointment of the OSCOTECH Rector, alleged to be a nephew of the governor, and perceivedly without following due process.
The concerned indigenes, who are mostly of Ijesa extraction, urged the governor not to lay a bad precedent, but consider quality in making appointments.
‘ Rep Alabi Is Deserving Of Chieftaincy’
Meanwhile, House of Representatives member, Hon. Akin Alabi, deserves a recent chieftaincy elevation given him, his associates have said.
The political associates and family members of the House of Representatives member for Egbeda/Ona-Ara federal constituency of Oyo State have described his elevation to the chieftaincy post of Jagun Olubadan as well-earned.
Rep Alabi was elevated to the Olubadan chieftaincy line by the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, Ige Olakulehin I, alongside other chiefs, at an elaborate event in Ibadan at the weekend.
The federal lawmaker said, though he has paid his dues, he did not know how he merited the elevation.
However, he attributed it to God’s act.
He added: “This is not just a personal milestone, it is a proud moment for all Ibadan indigenes. I recognise the gravity of this step and I am committed to upholding the values and heritage it represents.”
His political associates and top Ajiwogbo family members of Egbeda and Ojagbo in Ibadan said that his antecedents as a representative of the people and his dedication to the tradition and culture of Ibadanland, earned him the honour.
His elder brother, Adesina Alabi, said the entire family was happy and grateful to the Olubadan.
He said Rep Alabi had been doing well to represent the people, adding that the elevation would spur him to do more.
Rep Alabi’s Director-General, (DG), Adebowale Amoo, weighed in, saying the elevation was instructive for the lawmaker’s politics and service.
“As a politician, he also has great reverence for the Ibadan traditional system. That respect earned him the elevation.
“Apart from being a lawmaker and Chairman, House Committee on Works, he relates with the people and puts their interest at heart.
“Many notable politicians of Ibadan origin are Olubadan chiefs. Look at former Governor Rasidi Ladoja; he is the Otun Olubadan.
“Look at Senator Teslim Folarin; he is an Olubadan chief. If you are a notable politician and you serve the people and you are an Ibadan indigene, the institution will most likely give you recognition,” he said.
