By John Odunayo
“This time, we demand justice. The Governing Council, alongside SSANU, must ensure that Mr Faleye faces severe punishment to restore the dignity and golden reputation of our university. A swift and strict response is imperative”
FEDERAL University Oye Ekiti (FUOYE) Student Union Government (SUG) leaders in Monday protested on campus to drum home their demand for swift disciplinary measures against the two suspended leaders of the local branch of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU).
The suspended SSANU Chairman, Benjamin Faleye and the branch Secretary, Mrs Oluwaseun Aluko, had recently made unproven allegations of sexual harassment and other misconduct against the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Abayomi Sunday Fasina, without the approval of the SSANU congress or adherence to FUOYE’s internal dispute resolution mechanisms.
Consequently, a probe committee, constituted by the university’s Governing Council, suspended Faleye and Aluko for externalising the claims, which had already been investigated and resolved by the appropriate authorities.
The placards carrying students who held the protest on a day the SSANU was holding its national congress at Oye Ekiti Campus, demanded decisive punitive measures against Faleye and his associates for what they deemed reckless misconduct.
FUOYE SUG Senate President, Mr Emmanuel Oluwatobiloba Adebisi, who spoke on behalf of the protesting students, said, “This time, we demand justice. The Governing Council, alongside SSANU, must ensure that Mr Faleye faces severe punishment to restore the dignity and golden reputation of our university. A swift and strict response is imperative.
“We had earlier presented a position paper reflecting the collective stance of FUOYE students. In it, we strongly condemned the actions of Mr Faleye and his associates.
“The Students’ Union executive has also passed a vote of confidence in our Vice-Chancellor, Professor Abayomi Sunday Fasina.
“The position paper, signed by 40 Senate members and faculty representatives, highlights the unfounded nature of Mr Faleye’s allegations. We demand his punishment for spreading baseless accusations that have tarnished FUOYE’s image before the global community.
“Unlike Mr Faleye, who is not an alumnus of this institution and can easily disassociate himself from FUOYE, we, the over 50,000 students of this university, will carry its certificate for life. Any damage to FUOYE’s reputation will negatively impact our futures, as we rely on its good name to secure employment and other opportunities.
“Human resource managers across industries maintain track records of universities. Employers hire graduates based on the perceived quality and reputation of their institutions. We are determined to ensure FUOYE remains among the respected and trusted names in their records”.
Adebisi accused Faleye of repeatedly undermining the university, citing a previous incident during a SSANU strike when he allegedly shut down FUOYE’s medical centre.
He said, “That reckless decision led to the tragic and untimely death of a critically ill student who required urgent medical attention”.
