UNILORIN denies “terrorist organisation” label issued by ASUU

-The management of the University of Ilorin has described the recent sacking of two of its members of staff as an internal process.

-It also reinstated the institution’s commitment to upholding the highest standards in the discharge of all its duties.

The Management of the University of Ilorin has in a statement signed by its head of corporate affairs, Mr. Kunle Akogun, rubbished the recent branding of the institution as a ‘terrorist organisation’ by the chairman of the University of Ibadan chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, Dr. Ayodeji Omole.

The school authorities also described the institution as peaceful and with an unmatched legacy of academic excellence.

A statement signed by the Head, Corporate Affairs, Mr. Kunle Akogun, on Monday noted that the university not only believes in, but also actively promotes the nation’s educational ideals and helped to foster peace and stability in the society.

He said, “This is unfortunate, especially coming from someone who is expected to know the gravity of such appellation.

“While the university is not ready to join issues with this fellow, who appears hell bent to drag the good names that Unilorin has made for itself over the years in the mud, we want to make it abundantly clear that the disciplinary action recently taken by the university against two members of its staff, which is the basis for his outburst, followed due process and it was in line with the laid down rules and regulations as contained in the University’s Conditions of Service.”

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It added, “We wonder when an internal affair of the University of Ilorin has now become the business of the University of Ibadan ASUU chairman. We recall that this is the same fellow that recently alleged that the University of Ilorin had increased its tuition fees and shamefacedly took the false news to the media.

“As a supposed senior member of the academia, we expect Dr Omole to be circumspect in his usage of words. How can you describe a university that is the toast of most Nigerian parents and the darling of admission seekers as a terrorist organisation?

“The University of Ilorin is proud of its records of achievement as the most peaceful university in the country with an unbroken record of stable academic calendar and an unmatched expansion of academic programmes. These are attributes that have made the university the most sought after institution of higher learning in the country since 2013.”

Recall that ASUU had in a statement on Sunday, by Dr. Ade Adejumo and Dr Deji Omole, Zonal Coordinator of the Ibadan Zone of ASUU and Chairman, University of Ibadan Chapter, respectively, in their reaction to the sacking of the ASUU Chairman in the school, Dr. Kayode Afolayan, described the University authority’s actions as the height of impunity in sacking a person for exposing the lawlessness and disregard for due process in the university.