The Ife Community Assembly has appealed to youths not to protest during the inauguration of Prof. Adebayo Bamire as the 12th vice chancellor of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), on June 7.
In a statement signed by the Presidents and General Secretaries of Ife Development Board and Ife Progressive Forum, Comm. L.O Awowoyin, Dr. Gbolade Famoriyo, Mr. Rotimi Omisakin, Prince L. Adewale respectively, the Assembly urged the youths to allow the suspended protest remain suspended.
The group commended youths and other stakeholders for coming out in defence of Ile Ife, especially in seeing that their rights/entitlements are not denied under the guise of policies or criterion.
It also commended the intervention that led to the suspension of the protests against the perceived marginalisation and manipulation in the exercise leading to the appointment of Bamire as the 12th vice chancellor of OAU.
“Allowing the intervention should be seen by the whole World that the protest was not meant to dent the highly rated reputation/image of our Obafemi Awolowo University but to ensure that things are done in the right way, transparently and devoid of prejudice in any form,to sustain the renowned excellent reputation of our noble citadel of learning and character molding.
“Let us all be assured that the focus of the struggle was to get things done rightly in Obafemi Awolowo University,transcending appointment of Vice Chancellor.Therefore efforts to correct areas of maginalisation,manipulation,and injustices shall continue even after Inauguration of the 12th vice chancellor, Professor Adebayo Bamire.
“We therefore, as major stakeholders in lfe Community and frontline members in the struggle to defend and protect the interest of Ife and Ifes, join our Royal Father, His Imperial Majesty, Ooni Adeyeye Ogunwusi, other stakeholders and individuals in appealing to our youths, in particular lfe Youth Organisation to allow the suspended protest in whatever form remain suspended.
“Consequently on behalf of lfe Community, it is hereby declared that no protest in whatever form on the subject under reference is authorised for now in lle Ife.
“We welcome all invited guests/persons to the Inauguration of the 12th substantive OAU Vice Chancellor,assuring them of peaceful atmosphere and security,before during and after the ceremony.
“Assuredly, there are ongoing meetings and consultations to get all issues relating to the symbiotic relationship of Ife Community and Obafemi Awolowo University resolved holistically,” the statement read.
The group, however, vowed that it will not relent until justice and transparency become the norm in OAU.
