By Ayodele Abere
Vice Chancellor, Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti, professor Edward Olanipekun has said that the suspension of academic activities at the University last week due to students’ unrest occasioned by alleged hike in the payment of late registration fee and some other charges is being addressed.
The Vice Chancellor who explained that management has finalised arrangement to bring the students back to campus in phases to come and write their examination disclosed this while responding to questions from journalists during the press conference held in respect of the 27th convocation ceremony of the institution at the university campus.
According to the university boss, “after the Eid al- Fitr public holiday, we are going to invite the first batch of the students to come and write the exam and also beyond that, we have also set up a committee to investigate the immediate and remote causes of the students protest”.
Speaking on the convocation proper which holds on Wednesday and Thursday this week where a total of 5,963 graduands are to be convoked, the 8th substantive Vice Chancellor of the University, Olanipekun explained that award of sub-degree, first degree and presentation of prizes/distinctions would hold at the main auditorium of the university at 10:00 am on Wednesday. While he further explained that award of Postgraduate Diploma, Masters and Doctorate degrees would hold at the same venue on Thursday at 10:00am prompt.
Highlighting the developments so far recorded in the institution which according to the VC include; Accreditation of various programmes of the university, Induction of MBBS graduates into the medical profession, Research and Development, EKSU International College, Ado-Ekiti, Recognition for Staff and Alumni of EKSU, Development of ICT Infrastructure, Impact of Intervention Funds, Staff Development, Staff and Students Discipline and Welfare, Sports, Inaugural lectures, Conferences and other intellectual discourses, establishment of a new faculty and department as well as management of funds, Olanipekun used the occasion to appreciate a former lecturer of the University and now a Visitor to the Institution, the Governor of Ekiti State, His Excellency, Mr. Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, who he described as a distinguished alumnus of the school for his tremendous support for the Institution, since he became the Governor of the State.
“I should not fail to gratefully acknowledge the wise decision of Mr. Governor to appoint eminent Nigerians as Chairman and members of our Governing Council. These are carefully selected individuals of impeccable character and integrity, cutting across the Academia, Private and Public Sectors, who have the requisite expertise and capacity to move EKSU to greater heights” . Said the VC.
While reacting to the rumour of planning to disengage the Staff that have spent thirty years and above in the service of the institution, Professor Olanipekun said there’s no iota of truth in that which he said was the handwork of fifth columnist
“As far as I am concerned, I don’t know anything about that and we are not even contemplating doing anything along that direction. Such rumour was being carried by some people who are desperate to occupy some positions in the university.
