From Lateef Dada, Osogbo
Chairman of Governing Council of Osun State College of Education, Ila-Orangun, Peter Babalola, has confirmed the report of Daily Sun that there was a mess in the college but he vowed to clean it.
Babalola during a press conference in Osogbo, yesterday, announced that the Provost, Jimoh Afolabi, has been suspended to allow the panel set up by the council to investigate him.
He denied all allegations against him, saying refusal to allow the conversion of government monies and property into private pockets led to the media war against him.
He said: “I was persuaded to go and clean up the mess at the Osun State College of Education, Ila-Orangun, and I can tell you, as I am still talking to you, the college is still not out of the mess. The printing press was towed away to Lagos by the All Progressives Congress stalwart.
“The council set up a panel. He is facing the panel and whenever you are facing the panel, the provost has to step aside. I’m happy to tell you the council has given him a letter. He has stepped aside by this letter. Whatever the panel says will still come to the council,” Babalola said.
“Please refer to the letter with Reference No. OSSCE/LR/GCIP/001/1, dated, January 3, 2024, inviting you to appear before the Governing Council’s Investigative Panel on account of the various infractions levelled against you at the council’s meeting on Tuesday, November 21, 2023, following which a vote of no confidence was passed in you.
“Consequent on the above developments, council, at its meeting of Monday, January 8, 2023 considered the need to suspend you from exercising the functions of your office to allow for proper investigations into the infractions levelled against you.
“Hinged on the above, and by Section 32.3 (a and b) of the College Edict, you are hereby suspended from exercising the functions of your office pending the final determination of your case. Please hand over to the deputy provost, while you await the decision of the state government through the Ministry of Education.
“All college properties in your custody must be handed over as appropriate before you vacate the college premises, and you are prohibited from entering the college or any of its facilities except by invitation from the governing council,” the letter reads.
Similarly, Governor Ademola Adeleke has ordered an immediate investigation into the controversy, directing that his Chief of Staff should lead a committee to investigate the matter.
The committee also included the Secretary to the State Government and Commissioner for Education among others to host a crisis resolution meeting between the school management and the governing council.
Reacting to accusations and counter-accusations between the chairman of the governing council and the college provost, Adeleke directed the committee to look into the subject of controversies and ensure an amicable resolution of the crisis.
“I have read various statements and allegations emanating from Ila Orangun College of Education. I have also been briefed about the conflict between the school management and the college governing council. The committee is hereby directed to call a meeting of both parties.
“The committee is to review all issues including questions of financial malpractices within the college system and propose a comprehensive accountability and transparency system.
“Let me warn that anybody implicated in any wrongdoing, financial mismanagement, or corrupt conduct will face heavy sanction. I announce that I will not shield anybody no matter how highly placed,” Adeleke said.
The committee is expected to report its findings and recommendations to the governor within two weeks.