FUNAAB recalls 23 sacked workers to face probe committee

…Oyewole going nowhere, says Governing Council

THE Governing Council of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB) is set to re-absorb the 23 workers who were sacked recently, but with a caveat: each of them must within 48 hours write letter of appeal before the job would be given back.

Also, they are to face Council Committee to defend themselves on series of allegations and if found culpable may get punitive measures, probably losing their jobs again.

Similarly, the Governing Council said that the embattled Vice-Chancellor, Professor Olusola Oyewole, who is facing 18-count charges bordering on misappropriation of N800 million alongside the erstwhile Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council, Senator Adeseye Ogunlewe, and former Bursar, Moses Ilesanmi, would continue in office, despite the case in court and his return of N2.5 million of the misappropriated fund.

These are part of the resolutions of the FUNAAB Governing Council reached at its 91st meeting held at the National Universities Commission (NUC), Abuja on Tuesday.

According to the communique issued at the end of the meeting, part of the jobs of the committee is “to ascertain the culpability of persons and groups in the crisis and to propose appropriate sanctions and deterrence for such persons and groups so identified.”

The Head, Directorate of Public Relations, Mrs. Emi’ Alawode, explained that the communique, which conveyed the message, was signed by the Acting Registrar and Secretary to Council, Mr. Obafemi Oginni.

Alawode said: “Owing to series of appeals from within and outside the University community, the Council communiqué directed that the twenty-three (23) staff, whose appointments were recently terminated, should, within 48 hours, each forward a Letter of Appeal to the Secretary, Council Committee on Investigation of the Lingering Industrial Unrest and Tension, Acting Registrar’s Office, between Friday, December 16 and Monday, December 19, 2016.

“Resolutions reached at the meeting, also include the constitution of the Council Committee to Investigate the Lingering Industrial Unrest and Tension in the University with the following Terms of Reference: to receive appeals from aggrieved members of staff; to investigate and identify the remote and immediate causes of the unrest and tension, as well as identify the institutional and structural factors responsible for the unrest.”

According to Alawode, other areas the committee would look into are to identify any other predisposing factors to the unrest; to recommend immediate measures for rectifying the current situation; and to recommend lasting measures and strategies for conflict-resolution in the University.

The committee, she added, would also make any other recommendations, which may be germane to the maintenance of order and good governance in the University.

“The Governing Council also directed all other staff on industrial action to resume at their duty posts immediately in the best interest of the University and ensure that they do not engage in any conduct that could constitute any breach of peace and good governance in the University,” the FUNAAB image maker said.

She added that the council enjoined all parties to withdraw all civil cases in courts to allow the Council Committee to function properly.

“The Council acknowledged that normal academic and administrative activities are on-going in the University,” Alawode said, adding that the council “urges staff to continue to positively contribute towards restoring peace and normalcy in the University, while affirming that Professor Olusola Oyewole, remains the Vice-Chancellor of the University.”

© Gateway mail