Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, has cautioned Ife indigenes and residents protesting against the appointment of Adebayo Bamire as the Vice-Chancellor of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, against unlawful acts.
The monarch also assured workers and students of the institution of the safety of their lives and property.
Some indigenes displeased with the appointment of the new VC, who is not an Ife indigene, had staged protests on the campus of the university, during which some traditionalists performed rituals in front of the varsity’s Senate Building.
Reacting to the development, Ooni, in a statement signed by his Director of Media and Public Affairs, Moses Olafare, on Wednesday, promised the protesters that their agitation would be given adequate attention.
The statement read in part, “Over the years, the good people of Ife have been a superb host to the university even as they enroll their children and equally join qualified hands (regardless of background) to work in the citadel of learning.
“The Ife community is proud to have partnered and still partnering the institution through the House of Oduduwa on viable programmes and projects capable of projecting Ile-Ife to the outside world as an ancient city ready for progress and development.
“While Ooni Ogunwusi has rallied majors stakeholders to address the issue at hand, Kabiyesi sues for calm, calling on all law-abiding citizens to go about their normal businesses without fear.
“The good relationship between the town (Ile-Ife) and gown (OAU) remains as strong as ever, particularly to the benefit of the younger ones in and outside the university. OAU is Ife, Ife is OAU and we shall continue to cohabit in peace for progress.”
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