OSPOLY Rector Crisis: Osun Govt. Sets Up Investigative Panel

Niyi Olasinde

The Osun State Government has set up a seven-man investigative panel to look into all matters that led to the suspension of the Rector, Osun State Polytechnic (OSPOLY), Iree, Dr. Tajudeen Odetayo, and find means of resolving them.

Speaking with the panel shortly after their inauguration during a meeting with the Management of the institution, the state Commissioner for Education, Hon. Dipo Eluwole charged members to do a thorough job.

He however admonished all striking unions to resume back to work; pending the turning in of the investigative panel’s report.

The Commissioner stated that Governor Adeleke is a man who is objective and assured all unions involved that the panel would surely come up with decisions that will be benefitial to all involved. 

Hon. Eluwole therefore pleaded with all stakeholders involved to go back to their duties and call off their strike actions; stating that the present administration is an all-listening one.

OSUN DEFENDER had on July 25 reported that Staff and students of the Osun State Polytechnic, Iree (OSPOLY) protested the suspension of the rector of the institution, Dr. Tajudeen Odetayo.

The staff under the auspices of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), OSPOLY Iree Chapter, suspended academic activities at the institution because of the development.

It was also gathered that Daily Part Time students of the institution currently writing examinations were also not attended to, leading to protest.

The supended rector, Dr. Tajudeen Odetayo, disclosed that he was not aware of any petition or complaint against him from any quarters.

Odetayo, in an interview with OSUN DEFENDER said he only received a suspension letter from the Ministry of Education, insisting that nobody ever contacted him on any allegation.

He said he was confident that he did not commit any infraction either financially or through conduct.

“I was not aware of any petition or complaint against me. The only thing I saw was the suspension letter from the Ministry of Education. Nobody ever told me anything. I am confident that my hands are clean, I never committed any infraction either financially or through conduct.

“I did not read any politics to my suspension. I don’t even think of it. I believe in God and I have faith in Him on the case. God is in control”, Odetayo stated.

The government however in a statement by the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Oluomo Kolapo Alimi, said the Governing Council of the institution will investigate the allegation against Odetayo and take appropriate action as soon as possible.