Outgoing vice-chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Prof. Abel Idowu Olayinka, has provided insights into the face off between his administration and the unions on campus, saying the unions do not hate him as a person, but because the economic situation in the country is too harsh.
OYOINSIGHT.COM understands that unions in the institution have been at loggerheads with Olayinka, especially as it relates to transition.
His media assistant, Mr. Sunday Saanu quoted him as saying that “these unions that are agitating do not hate me because I am ugly. I am not ugly. At least my wife told me that I am handsome. But the real reason why these unionists are shouting my name everywhere is because of the paucity of fund in the system. There is no money. Federal government does not allow us to charge appropriate school fees, yet the money coming from the federal government is like a drop in the ocean”
“Currently, UI is owning Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company N49million. We don’t have that money. We have to plead with the electricity company to give us time. If they disconnect us now, pressmen will go to town with screaming headlines that UI is bankrupt. We should please appeal to the unions to see reasons with us. The money is not just there” Prof. Olayinka stated.
Speaking at the ground-breaking ceremony of the Bovas and Company Limited at the second gate of the University of Ibadan, Ajibode junction where the oil company plans to open a station, the outgoing VC stressed that with the poor economy in the country, everyone was tensed up, adding, “workers are agitating, students are impatient if we fail to pay for Internet”
He insisted, “we are one family in UI. I know that the unions don’t hate me. The major problem is nothing but money. Money is the problem causing the sleepless nights. But I believe with time, this hard time shall pass away.”
