UNIOSUN VC Absolves Self Of N3b Financial Impropriety Allegation
By Ismail Kolapo
The Vice Chancellor of Osun State University (Uniosun), Prof. Labo Popoola has dispelled rumours of alleged misappropriation of over N3bn at the University levelled against him by the Non Academic Staff Union of the University.
Prof. Popoola disclosed that on assumption of office, he inherited less than N2bn with some debts noting that the claims of NASU are untrue.
The Vice Chancellor made stated this statement while featuring on a radio program in Osogbo on Tuesday.
He explained that some NASU members have issues to answer with the University’s management and are hiding it under the guise of Unionism.
“Those who have cases to answer should not hide under Unionism to make the University ungovernable. We have some people who are not happy in the way we are running the institution and I can not supervise corruption.”
“I told you if you brought a bill of N180 million for accreditation that we used 54 million naira to do it very well; you know some people will not be happy about it.”
“When I came on board, the University was paying about 8 million naira per quarter for our Internet services, I renegotiated the bill to 4 million naira and I am not expecting anybody to be happy about this.”
Prof Labo Popoola lamented the way unions operate in the 21st century which is certainly aimed at affecting the academic calendar of the institution and the lives of the students for their own selfish interests.
He said “From inception of the university till 2012, there were no unions. The Unionism started in the last six months of Prof. Akinrinade when these people made life hell for him until they forced him out. Same happened to Prof Bashir Okesina in 2014/2015”
“Tetfund is Federal government’s money and not Uniosun money, mid assessment money you can not touch it, the Vice Chancellor does not have access to all the monies in the University.”
He however urged the Visitor to the University, Governor Rauf Aregbesola and the State House of Assembly to wade in the crisis for amicable resolution.
