Osun NANS berates Osun govt over abrupt closure of OSPOLY

  ….Promises protest if Govt fails to find solution

By Anuoluwapo Lebi

The National Association Of Nigerian Students (NANS) Joint Campus Council, Osun state has expressed their displeasure at the sudden closure of Osun State Polytechnic, Iree, over rectorship loggerhead.

In a statement released by NANS JCC, obtained through Osun NANS JCC General Secretary, Comrade Afolabi Oluwatobiloba Faruq (Costa), the student body appealed to the Osun State government to settle all internal conflicts amicably, without disrupting students' activities.

This is following the order of Osun government, through the Ministry of Education, on Thursday, September 7, 2023, to close OSPOLY, after the suspended rector, Dr. Tajudeen Odetayo appeared in the institution.

It is however recalled that Dr. Odetayo was suspended in July, over allegations of misappropriation of funds, and abuse of office, among others and his suspension led to strike action initiated by the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnic (ASUP), which kept the institution's gate locked for 30-days.

Recently, Dr Odatayo got an industrial court injunction which okayed him as the existing rector of OSPOLY, as against the position of the Osun state government.

NANS further stated that if the Osun Government fail to acknowledge their appeal, they will stage a peaceful protest.

"Concerns Regarding the Disruption of Academic Activities at Osun State Polytechnic Ire

"The aforementioned students' association, the Apex student body and advocacy group dedicated to promoting student welfare and living conditions, expresses deep concern over the decision made by the Osun State Government to send students of Osun State Polytechnic Ire home. We believe that the mandated holiday for students will not only have negative intellectual consequences but also contribute to their academic setbacks.

"We implore the government, relevant stakeholders and the school authorities to seek a lasting solution to the recurrent disruptions to academic activities on the Osun State Polytechnic Ire campus. It is unfair to make students the victims of any internal disagreements over the appointment of a rector or other administrative matters.

"As the apex student body in Osun State, NANS JCC Osun Axis has a responsibility to protect the interests of students who have entrusted us with their mandate. We have entered into a social contract with the students, and we refuse to allow anything that could have a detrimental impact on their education.

"We, therefore, call upon the management of Osun State Polytechnic, the Osun State Government, and all other stakeholders involved to find a prompt and lasting solution to the impending crisis on the Ospoly campus within the next few days. Failure to do so will leave us with no choice but to take to the streets in peaceful protest. We emphasize that this press release serves as a consultative measure, and we strongly urge the Osun State Government and Ospoly management to address our concerns before we resort to street demonstrations, which are confrontational in nature.

"In conclusion, we have faith in the leadership of the Osun State Government, led by His Excellency, Ademola Nurudeen Jackson Adeleke, and we believe that he will listen to our yearnings as a caring leader and responsible governor." - The NANS memo reads

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