AUTHORITIES of the Lagos State University, Ojo, has reacted to the recent call by the Academic Staff Union of Universities, Lagos Zone, on Governor Akinwunmi Ambode to appoint an independent panel of inquiry to look into an alleged crisis in the institution.
In a statement signed by the Coordinator, Centre for Information Press and Public Relations, Mr. Ademola Adekoya, the university described the request as proof of a relentless crusade by the leadership of the LASU chapter of ASUU to truncate the peace in the university.
Claiming that there was no crisis in the university, it said, “It appears that the relative peace that has permeated the university in the last two years since the vice chancellor, Professor Olanrewaju Fagbohun, and his team came on board does not bode well for some individuals.
It accused the union of distorting facts and peddling falsehood, mislead the public in an attempt to tarnish the image of the institution.
Adekoya said the LASU chapter of the union, and the zonal branch, had been peddling falsehood in media houses, including on the social media.
Adekoya said: “The call to Governor Ambode to set up a panel of inquiry because of a few aggrieved individuals betrays the crass ignorance of how modern day universities work.
“They need to be reminded that there is a statutory panel of inquiry set up by the Lagos State government to assess the university every 10 years. The crisis for which they are calling for investigation exists only in their imagination.
“The fact is that the all-inclusive governance style of the current university administration has seen the university enjoying unprecedented development and goodwill.”
Ademola accused the union, including its zonal leaders, of willfully attempting to disturb the peace of the institution for their personal benefits.
He debunked the rumours about a supposed pending crisis looming in the school, saying it was just a ploy by the union’s leaders to lure the management into submitting to the union’s demands.
Ademola emphasised that, apart from the body of professors and associate professors and other senior academics in the university distancing themselves from the nefarious activities of the local ASUU chapter by denouncing them, most members of the union do not support the unwarranted behaviour of the union.
He said the call for crisis by the few discredited ones is mischievous and self-servicing, and therefore advised the public to completely disregard and ignore the rumours.