The Management of Osun State University (UNIOSUN) has debunked the viral report of a plan to increase the school fees.
This was contained in a statement sent to OSUN DEFENDER Campus Reporter and signed by the Students Union President-Elect, Comr. Olaoye Emmanuel.
Emmanuel disclosed that the Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Odunayo Adebooye debunked the report at the meeting with the officials of the school management and the students union leaders.
According to him, “The OSUSU Executives-Elect under the leadership of Comr. Olaoye Emmanuel today paid a courtesy visit to the office of the Vice-Chancellor Professor Odunayo Clement Adebooye, also present at the meeting was our mother, the ever-working and passionate Ag. Dean, Students’ Affairs, Dr. Julianah Akindele.
“At the meeting, the Union Representatives appreciated the school management under the leadership of our Vice Chancellor, Prof. Adebooye, for being thoughtful of the annual leave granted to the members of staff of the institution. As we all know, annual leave is very important, because it allows one to rest, recharge and spend time with loved ones. It also helps prevent burnout and increases productivity. OSUSU, 23/24 Elect sincerely appreciates UNIOSUN Management for this thoughtfulness.
“More so, the rumor flying around the community of the purported plan to increase the tuition fee was also discussed. The vice Chancellor in response to this assured us that management has no plan of increasing the tuition fee presently, apart from a few insignificant service charges due to the high rate of inflation on the cost of these services. It was reiterated that the rumour was the handwork of idle hands to throw a spanner into our working system.
“Therefore, we implore all students to put their minds at peace and do their registration as expected when the school resumes for academic activities on 13th, November, 2023. This will enable them to settle for academic activities which commence on the same day.
“In conclusion, we would like to thank our amazing lecturers and non-teaching staff of UNIOSUN who worked tirelessly to make our academic journey awesome. Thank you all for your dedication and passion.
“We wish all students, especially our newly admitted students and staff happy resumption in advance for the 2022024 academic session,” the statement reads.
The Osun State High Court in Osogbo has ruled that the suspension of the National Executive Council (NEC) of Osun State University, Osogbo, by the Board of Trustees (BoT) is invalid. Justice M. O. Awe delivered this judgment, stating that the BoT’s actions were in violation of the association’s constitution.
The case was brought before the court by two NEC members, Basit Abubakar, who served as the General Secretary, and Tobi Oyesowo, the legal adviser. They challenged the BoT’s decision to suspend the entire NEC over allegations of gross misconduct.
In the judgment, Justice Awe not only declared the suspension of the plaintiffs as members of the UNIOSUN Alumni Association’s NEC by the BoT as ultra vires, null, and void but also issued an order to set aside the suspension. The suspension had occurred before the expiration of the plaintiffs’ tenure of office, which was set to end on May 28, 2023.
Furthermore, the court awarded damages in the amount of three million Naira, with each plaintiff receiving 1.5 million Naira in compensation from the defendants.
In summary, the court found that the BoT’s suspension of the NEC members was unlawful due to its violation of the association’s constitution and ordered the reversal of the suspension. Additionally, damages were awarded to the plaintiffs as compensation for the harm caused by the suspension.
In a promising development for the Nigerian education sector, a significant initiative involving the provision of solar-powered energy has been set in motion. This ambitious project, backed by the reputable South Korean firm, Blue Mountain Energy (BME), is poised to make a lasting impact on the country’s higher education institutions.
On Thursday, October 12, 2023, the CEO of Blue Mountain Energy (BME) Korea, Mr. Jung Cookjin, and the Executive Director of SDG Youth International, Mr. Kim Ju Yong, touched down in Nigeria for a 5-day working visit. Their primary objective during this visit was to conduct an on-the-spot assessment of a select group of 12 higher education institutions earmarked to benefit from the BME-Saudi Exim Bank Solar Energy Project.
The BME-Saudi Exim Bank Solar Energy Project is part of the Overseas Development Assistance (ODA) provided by the Saudi-Exim Bank. This collaborative effort is a five-year endeavor with an impressive financial commitment of $15 million per year. It aims to bring solar energy to various sectors of Nigeria’s economy, starting with the allocation of 100KVA solar energy to the 12 higher institutions situated across the six geopolitical regions of Nigeria.
The project is poised to kick off in earnest with the pilot phase, set to commence in February 2024. During this initial stage, Osun State University, Osogbo, and the Federal University of Agriculture in Kebbi State will be the first beneficiaries. Installation of solar energy infrastructure in the remaining 10 institutions will be executed in a phased manner, spanning from February to October 2024.
Uzoh Ifeanyi, the Country Representative for Nigeria and the African Region, took the opportunity to share crucial details about the project during a press briefing in Abuja. He revealed that the second phase of this commendable endeavor will extend to public primary and secondary schools in local government areas throughout the country, starting in Mokwa Local Government Area of Niger State.
This ambitious project is poised to bring a multitude of benefits to Nigeria. Not only will it secure a reliable energy source for the designated institutions, but it will also pave the way for the establishment of a solar power plant within the nation’s borders. This initiative is set to create employment opportunities for the nation’s youth, and it will introduce a solar engineering course into Nigerian universities, facilitating the education of future experts in solar technology.
Furthermore, the project promises to offer automatic employment prospects to graduates specializing in BME Solar Engineering. They will find opportunities not only within BME Korea but also in BME Saudi Arabia and other esteemed solar technology companies operating overseas. This commitment to fostering renewable energy infrastructure and expertise is a promising step towards a more sustainable and energy-efficient future for Nigeria.
Three pensioners participating in the ongoing forensic audit of the state government’s active and passive workers in Osogbo, the capital of Osun State, collapsed at the Centre for Black Culture and International Understanding. The incident occurred at approximately 12:45 p.m. as pensioners awaited the commencement of the exercise. Health workers from the State Ambulance Service swiftly intervened to revive and stabilize the collapsed pensioners. Some participants who couldn’t endure prolonged standing were seen either lying down on the floor or sitting under nearby trees outside the facility.
Dele Aina, the Secretary of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) in the state, confirmed the incident and stated his intention to assess the situation and ensure adequate care for the affected pensioners. The NUP had previously urged the state government to decentralize the audit exercise for easier access by its members. The staff audit had been suspended by the state House of Assembly due to concerns about the treatment of civil servants by the consultant but was later resumed after promised adjustments were made.
In the heart of Osun State, a story of alumni association intrigue unfolds – one that could have far-reaching implications, particularly as one of the central figures, Oriola Oladipupo, reportedly eyes a foray into public office. This riveting narrative is a convergence of power struggles, defamation, and a bid for redemption. In a dramatic turn of events, the Osun State University Alumni Association finds itself mired in a controversy that has raised questions about its former embattled President, Oriola Oladipupo. Oriola, whose tumultuous 2-year tenure came to an end sometime between April and May 2023, shortly after he was suspended by the Board of Trustees over allegations of misappropriation and mismanagement has faced unrelated serious allegations of disrupting the electoral process in the association back in 2018. While Oriola sought to vindicate himself, a feud with former Board of Trustees (BOT) Chairman, David Oladeji, intensified the situation. Their dispute took a sudden twist as they were set to face off in court, raising questions about the veracity of these allegations.
The UNIOSUN Alumni Association: A Tale of Controversy
UNIOSUN Alumni Association, also known as OSUAA, is a vibrant community of alumni from Osun State University. Over the years, this group has found itself embroiled in controversy, with persistent allegations surrounding its now-former President, Oriola Oladipupo. The recurrent accusations of disrupting the association’s electoral processes in 2018 have cast a long shadow over Oriola’s leadership. Amid the tumultuous backdrop, David Oladeji, the former BOT Chairman, called for action against Oriola and rallied for his disqualification in the suspended April 2023 Convention/election and the subsequently canceled September 2023 convention/election. Both scheduled events were postponed by the BOT and CTC citing security concerns or high tensions in the association.
Oriola’s Political Aspirations and Image Laundering?
Oriola’s apparent bid for public office as well as possible involvement in higher-staked politics seems to have prompted a calculated image-laundering effort. This includes attempts to address the allegations of electoral interference. In an intriguing move, he filed a petition accusing multiple individuals, with David Oladeji at the forefront. The petition filed is attached below:
In his petition dated April 10, 2023, Oriola accused David Oladeji, Mojeed Oyedeji, and Saheed of criminal defamation and peddling falsehood with the intent to incite members of the UNIOSUN Alumni Association. The allegations against David were particularly incendiary, including claims of cyberbullying related to David’s statement that Oriola had brought thugs to a past congress. David claims to have refuted most of the accusations in Oriola’s petition.
While multiple individuals were addressed in the petition, it seems David was the sole focus of Oriola’s legal actions. Other implicated individuals may not have been contacted at all, prompting questions about the nature of the accusations and whether they were targeted at just a specific individual.
Refuting Accusations and David’s Persistent Calls
David, a vocal figure in the UNIOSUN Alumni Association, has consistently called for action against Oriola through various alumni association platforms. In his defense, he has refuted most of the accusations in Oriola’s petition, except for the allegation related to cyberbullying.
A Sudden Turn of Events
In an unexpected development, David Oladeji, who had been at the forefront of the allegations against Oriola, found himself under scrutiny. On the 10th of October, 2023, David was summoned by the state CID in Osogbo, he claims to have obliged the call all the way from his base in Ibadan, following a petition filed by Oriola.
However, just as the case was about to proceed to court on the morning of the 11th of October, 2023, the two former alumni association figures unexpectedly reached a settlement. David Oladeji issued a public apology, effectively bringing an end to the legal battle, as evidenced by a screenshot of the apology.
Rumors circulated that the police may have been induced to detain David Oladeji. However, these attempts seem to have been thwarted through interventions from undisclosed sources. The exact motivations and details behind these allegations remain shrouded in mystery.
Down memory lane: Police Assistance or Intervention?
A critical revelation emerged from a screenshot of the 2018 electoral committee’s report. This report indicated that the police played a role in removing miscreants and thugs from an event in the past. This revelation casts a new light on the events, the report states that the police were summoned as a matter of emergency to prevent a total collapse of law and order. Further intrigue surrounds the electoral committee’s chairman, who reportedly distributed two versions of the electoral report, one with detailed information and the other with crucial details omitted. Specimen A and B below show one of the major differences.
Figure A: A copy of the electoral report as obtained by correspondent
Figure B: Another copy of same electoral report as obtained by correspondent Unanswered Questions Abound
The swift resolution of this conflict between Oriola and David has left many questions unanswered. It is important to note that the correspondent has conducted extensive research and gathered opinions from various alumni association members who were present during the 2018 elections. These members, it is reported, were willing to corroborate David’s account and have access to documents from the electoral committee that confirm the disruptions and the presence of thugs on that fateful day.
Did the sudden settlement imply that the events of 2018 never transpired, or was it a strategic maneuver to prevent potentially damaging revelations? What does this mean for David’s accusations of cyberbullying and the claims that Oriola brought thugs? The story raises broader questions about the transparency of the UNIOSUN Alumni Association’s leadership and elections, as well as the potential for behind-the-scenes manipulations.
As the story unfolds, it continues to capture the attention of UNIOSUN alumni and the wider community. It’s a narrative that explores the intricacies of power, politics, and personal ambition within a prominent alumni association. The truth behind this intriguing saga remains elusive, and further developments will undoubtedly be closely monitored.
In Conclusion
The UNIOSUN Alumni Chronicles brings you the latest on this developing story. Stay tuned as we dig deeper into the labyrinth of allegations and image laundering, unraveling a story that has gripped our alumni community.
[Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the official stance of UNIOSUNUpdates.]
