•Prof Abayomi Fasina
Ahead of next week’s resumption of the substantive Vice Chancellor of the Federal University, Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE), Professor Abayomi Fasina, after a six-month research leave granted by the institution’s Governing Council, the leadership of both Christian and Muslim communities has dispelled the rumours of possible violence by anyone.
In a separate media chat with journalists, the university’s Chaplain, Pastor Samuel Osamuka, and the immediate past Chairman of the Muslim Community, Professor Hammed Olaide, said the university community is upbeat ahead of Professor Fasina’s return.
They said the VC only embarked on a duly approved leave by the appropriate authorities, and that his return could not be subjected to any insinuation of possible violence or rejection, reports Daily Independent.
The Public Relations Officer of the university, Foluso Ogunmodede, while reacting to the expected return of the VC earlier in the month, said the institution was unaware of “any element who may not be comfortable with the VC’s return”.
Mr Ogunmodede said as the substantive vice chancellor of the university, Professor Fasina has done so much for the university to deserve a rousing welcome.
Speaking on the development at the weekend, the university’s chaplain, Pastor Osamuka, said it was inappropriate for anyone to even imagine any opposition to the vice-chancellor’s return, noting that his performance within the last four years or thereabouts has endeared him to members of the university community.
He said: “The VC went on research leave, which he willingly requested and was granted by the university’s governing council. So, coming back to the office, you don’t need to ask whether there will be peace or not.
“He (Prof Fasina) is still the substantive Vice Chancellor, and it is like I have gone on leave, do I need to be calling people, whether I should resume or not? No! So there is no violence in FUOYE, and we should not insinuate that.”
Pastor Osamuka said his message to everyone, both within and outside the university community, is that “the VC is gladly welcome back to his duty.”
Muslim leader also speaks.
Also commenting on the development, the Muslim leader, Professor Olaide, hailed the vice chancellor for what he described as “his numerous contributions, development, and valuable assistance he has been rendering for the FUOYE Muslim community,” and expressed the community’s excitement over his return.
He said: “The FUOYE Muslim community always prays for our amiable VC, Prof. Abayomi Sunday Fasina, because of his numerous contributions, development, and valuable assistance he has been rendering for the FUOYE Muslim community. We are full of joy to receive him back and welcome him back to the university.
“The VC only went on leave and has to resume after the expiration of leave. I don’t think there is any issue or roadblock that will prevent him from resuming his official duty.”
It has been six months since Professor Fasina embarked on a six-month research leave after he was cleared of allegations of sexual harassment and financial impropriety by the institution’s governing council.
Fasina, a Professor of Soil Science, is due to resume office on Tuesday, 14 October, a day after the acting Vice-Chancellor, Professor Olubunmi Shittu, is expected to have completed his six-month tenure and revert to his position as Deputy Vice-Chancellor, in charge of academics.
