OAU VC: Protest Is Everybody’s Right, Says Ooni

Seven days after the protest that greeted the announcement of Professor Adebayo Bamire as the 12th substantive Vice-Chancellor of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, has finally spoken, warning the protesters against taking laws into their hands.

The monarch who noted that protest is everybody’s right to make his or her unheard voice to be heard said it must be done peacefully.

A statement by his Director of Media and Public Affairs, Otunba Moses Olafare, made available to reporters, cautioned indigenes and residents of the ancient town who are aggrieved by the process that led to the selection of the next Vice Chancellor for the OAU not to take laws into their hands.

He assured workers and students of the institution of their safety as well as their properties, promising the protesters that their agitation will be given adequate and objective attention.

According to the monarch, protests are legitimate rights and ways to pass messages of dissatisfaction across to the relevant authorities but such protests must not be made to jeopardise peace and security in the society.

‘Protest is everybody’s right to make his or her unheard voice to be heard. This is always adopted by professional and academic stakeholders/trade unions; ASUU, NASU, NBA, NANS, religious bodies, political parties and even concerned individuals but it must be done peacefully,’ the statement read.

‘Over the years, the good people of Ife have been superb hosts to the university even as they enrol their children and equally join qualified hands (regardless of background) to work in the citadel of learning.

‘The Ife community is proud to have partnered and still partnering the institution through the House of Oduduwa on viable programmes and projects capable of projecting Ile-Ife to the outside world as an ancient city ready for progress and development.

‘While Ooni Ogunwusi has rallied majors stakeholders to address the issue at hand, Kabiyesi sues for calm, calling on all law-abiding citizens to go about their normal businesses without fear.

‘The good relationship between the town (Ile-Ife) and gown (OAU) remains as strong as ever, particularly to the benefit of the younger ones in and outside the university.’

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