CONFUSION IN LAUTECH OVER VC'S REMOVAL

The Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, has been embroiled in confusion after the purported removal of the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Babatunde Adeleke, who was ordered to commence on terminal leave.

Adeleke, who faulted the motive behind the directive to him to embark on a terminal leave, has obtained an injunction from an Osogbo High Court to restrain the management of the university from issuing such a directive.

When our correspondent visited the Ogbomoso campus of the university on Monday, some students expressed dismay at the sudden turn of events in the school.

Also, some members of staff, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said it was unfortunate that the two owner-states (Osun and Oyo) were parting on a sad note after 20 years of co-ownership.

Osun students and workers are afraid that the parting of ways would translate to higher school fees and mass sacking when the Oyo State Government eventually took over the university.

Adeleke has not been to the campus since last week when he was served the letter and this has created a leadership vacuum within the university system.

Osun State Governor OIagunsoye Oyinlola, on Saturday said he was unaware of the letter served on Adeleke.

Oyinlola, who is a co-visitor to the institution with his Oyo State counterpart, Chief Adebayo Alao-Akala, said it was wrong of anyone to issue a letter of terminal leave to Adeleke without his consent.

Political motives have been read into the issue as some indigenes of Osun State have accused Oyo State of attempting to take over LAUTECH by all means five months to the end of Adeleke's five-year tenure.

Adeleke is from Osun State while the Acting Vice-Chancellor appointed in his stead, Prof. Olanrewaju Nassar, is from Oyo State. Nassar, who was expected to resume duties on April 30, 2010, is yet to report for work.

The Osun State chapter of the Action Congress, on Monday accused Oyinlola of foot-dragging on the issue, but his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Lasisi Olagunju, said the government would protect the interest of Osun.

A letter dated April 16, 2010, written by the university's Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council, Chief Bolaji Ayorinde (SAN), an indigene of Oyo State, directed Adeleke to proceed on terminal leave on April 30, 2010.

There has been a silent war between Oyo and Osun states over the control of LAUTECH assents in the last few months with the governments of the two states denying the face-off.