A professor in an alleged sex for marks scandal at the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Segun Awonusi would be heading a committee set up by the Ogun State government to look into the operational modalities of Moshood Abiola University of Science and Technology, Abeokuta and Ogun State Polytechnic, Ipokia.
Awonusi who teaches English at UNILAG was accused by a former student, Joy Nwana of pressurising her into having sex with him after a nude picture of the professor emerged online in June 2018. But investigation by the UNILAG management into the allegation was inconclusive as Ms Nwana failed to appear before a panel set up investigate it. Since last July, the university had kept mum over the controversy.
Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State announced his appointment in a statement by his spokesperson, Mr Kunle Somorin.
Abiodun stated that this has become necessary because the State-owned Moshood Abiola Polytechic, MAPOLY, has been comatose since the Moshood Abiola University of Science and Technology, Abeokuta and Ogun State Polytechnic. Ipokia were created.
EduCeleb.com recalls that Abiodun’s predecessor, Ibikunle Amosun had in 2017 sought and got the approval of the National Universities Commission (NUC) to establish MAUSTECH. The new school uses the site of the hitherto existing Moshood Abiola Polytechnic (MAPOLY) in Abeokuta while the polytechnic was relocated to Ipokia and renamed Ogun State Polytechnic.
But almost two years after, both the new university and the polytechnic had been largely dysfunctional. It was only few days to the end of his tenure that Amosun constituted a governing council for both schools.
Abiodun noted that as a result of the unresolved issues, the fate of candidates and students of MAPOLY and their lecturers now hangs in a balance. Worse still, academic activities have been disrupted.
He, therefore, ordered that MAPOLY should revert to status quo ante with full academic activities restored, while the committee determines the way forward for the new institutions.
“As a responsible Government, we cannot fold our arms and allow the situation to continue,” said the Governor.
“We cherish human capital development. This committee is therefore set up to holistically review the status, viability and sustainability of these newly established institutions.”
The review committee is expected to recommend operational modalities for these institutions after interfacing with stakeholders in the education sector.
Aside Awonusi who is a former Vice Chancellor of Tai Solarin University of Education, other members of the committee include Alhaji Waheed Kadiri, a former Rector of MAPOLY and Dr Biodun Oluseye who is a Chief Lecturer at the Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro.
Professor Joseph Odemuyiwa who is the National President of Workplace Educators & Managers Association of Nigeria (WEMAN) and Mr Abeeb Wale Ajayi who a seasoned lawyer and administrator are also members of the committee.
The National President of Moshood Abiola Polytechnic Alumni Association, Mr. H.O. Ayoade and the Director Primary and tertiary education in the Ogun State Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Dr. Waheed Olanloye are other members, with Olanloye serving as the committee’s secretary.
Among other things, the committee is expected to ascertain the current operational status of Moshood Abiola University of Science and Technology, Abeokuta and Ogun State Polytechnic, Ipokia and identify issues and challenges related to the establishment and operations of the two institutions.
It is also to determine the viability and sustainability of the institutions on a long term basis; and identify any other issue(s) related to the objectives of the assignment.
The Committee will also be making recommendations for the consideration of the Government.
