A ‘White African’ takes over at OAU

WEDNESDAY, June 7, 2017 was a day with a difference at the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife; it was different strokes for different folks. For the non-academic Unions – NASU, SSANU, NAAT – students and a faction of ASUU, it was a day of glory when they began, hopefully, to reap the fruits of their ferociously-fought battles and hard-won victory over the shenanigans of the enemies of due process. For those on the opposite side, however, it was the day their defeat was consummated. On this day, Prof. Eyitope Ogunbodede was inaugurated as the 11th substantive VC of OAU. For Ogunbodede, the journey started six years ago when he first contested the office of VC. Inside sources vowed he came tops but was gruesomely denied. His second attempt was heading in the same direction when the non-academic staff unions rose up as one man against impunity with series of protests and sit-ins that grounded the institution, forcing the President to cancel the charade of a selection process, disband the embattled Governing Council, and mandate the OAU Senate to elect an acting vice-chancellor.

On 21st July 2016, Prof. Anthony Adebolu Elujoba was overwhelmingly elected acting VC. That was the beginning of victory for the pro-due process forces, whose ranks were later swelled by a faction of the Academic Staff Union of Universities. An acting VC holds office for six months in the first instance but because the assignment of selecting a substantive VC could not be tied up during this period, Elujoba’s tenure was elongated for another six months on 19th January, 2017. A new Governing Council, headed by Dr. Yemi Ogunbiyi as Pro-Chancellor/Chairman of Council, was named and the process of selecting a substantive VC began on 23rd January, 2017. Twenty-three candidates applied out of which 22 were shortlisted. After three days of interview, Prof. Temitope Ogunbodede emerged as winner. Ogunbiyi, himself a former lecturer at Ife, described the selection process as credible, fair, and transparent. All the contestants accepted the verdict.

Last Wednesday, all roads led to Oduduwa Hall, venue of the inauguration ceremony. It was a mammoth crowd; the atmosphere was electrifying, and the mood was one of joy and conviviality. It was a day of joy for Elujoba who was “very eager” to hand over and no less so for Dr. Ogunbiyi who was ecstatic that he succeeded where the Governing Council before him had failed. The OAU community believed Elujoba would not compromise – and he did not disappoint. Elujoba’s motto is “doing the right thing at the right time” There was no denying the fact that the OAU community loved and appreciated Elujoba for his contributions. The audience sang his praises intermittently; “Eluuu, Elu o, Elu o, Elujooba” with some chorusing afterwards “O se, o se o, o se o Elujoba (meaning ‘thank you, Elujoba).  Elu has etched his name in gold and must now be counted amongst the pantheon of great VCs of old such as Hezekiah Oluwasanmi and Ojetunji Aboyade, to mention but a few. I will not be surprised if something is named after him at OAU sooner than later.

In saner climes, governments and institutions would by now be jostling to sign on Elujoba after this exemplary run. Sadly, however, he aches from the ill-treatment meted out to him by the EFCC. Hear him: “As for the EFCC, I must say that I am seriously handicapped by inaccessibility of my international passport (which is still) in their hands and which I need for my various intellectual assignments frequently as an international herbal scientist. I have not stolen one kobo of anybody; rather, I donated cash into the endowment fund of this University. As acting VC, I paid for my electricity consumption; settled my bills in the University guest houses in Lagos and Abuja, and I paid my house rent. I returned my own productivity bonus into the University account” Just imagine! Common thieves and such other bare-faced scoundrels walk about free as air while conscientious citizens are needless shackled! I command the EFCC to return Elu’s passport immediately! The professor, however, did not allow the EFCC dampen his morale last Wednesday. He sang and danced and the audience complemented exuberantly. I particularly like his song: “Ise t’Oluwa ran me; aseye ni mo je”, meaning “I have successfully delivered on the assignment given to me by God Almighty”. Very humble, his knee touched the ground as he made the presentation of a portrait to the Pro-Chancellor.

Last Wednesday, Ogunbiyi, too, was a happy and relieved man. He had seen ‘fires’ since he came on board, to borrow Elujoba’s word, but getting the selection wrong would have been worse than any fire he had seen. So he was grateful that the Governing Council got it right. Those who truncate due processes deserve to have their heads examined. Incidentally, they are always influential members of the society. Six years ago, a governor in the South-west was said to have been the arrow head and financier of those who subverted due process. This time around, two or three serving South-west governors were named in hushed voices, in addition to other big names. Whereas Ogunbiyi did not name names, his revelation was mind-boggling: “In the course of the selection of the substantive VC, I was put under tremendous pressure but the Governing Council decided to do the right thing; people went to Kabiyesi (Ooni of Ife), including state governors, to talk to me. Kabiyesi never called me. He told them ‘Ogunbiyi will do the right thing’” In the spirit of the war against corruption, such people should be named and shamed.

Last Wednesday was the first time I would see the Ooni at close quarters. I was fascinated with the way an aide went ahead of him to inspect and “sanctify” the Ooni’s seat before he came in. The Ooni’s entry was majestic, even if noisy. I like his dressing, posture, and comportment throughout. I was intrigued with the way his aides surrounded and shielded him from the full glare of all when he was about to take his seat. It was only after he was seated that we saw him on his seat. I like that, too. I also like the Ooni speaking in Yoruba, although he inter-mingled with English along the line. I have heard the story before – of how Ife ‘robbed’ my home town, Owo, of the University of Ife – the Ooni adumbrated it again last Wednesday. Action Group was founded at Owo. One of its chieftains, ex-governor of old Ondo state and ex-NADECO leader,  the late Pa Adekunle Ajasin, was the brain behind the Free Education programme of Chief Obafemi Awolowo. The Olowo as of then, Sir Olateru Olagbegi, was the powerful and influential Secretary of the Western Region’s House of Chiefs but Ife had Ooni Sir Adesoji Aderemi, Chairman of the House of Chiefs and first indigenous governor-general of the Western Region. There was or would have been a tussle over the University but the Ooni said last Wednesday that it was eventually agreed to defer to Sir Aderemi. Last Wednesday, he noted was a special day in which the 1st son of Ife to be OAU VC handed over to a new VC, who is an Owo son. “Today, there is smooth transition from an illustrious son of Ife, Elujoba, to an illustrious son of Oduduwa, all the way from Owo. The spirit of our ancestors is in them. You may not see them but our ancestors are here with us and they are happy” he said. The Ooni also said: “There is God; whoever says there is no God is lost” He is also a great singer. He taught the audience a few songs: “O ja s’ope (It has turned to joy); “Eyi t’ope’ (this is worthy of our praises and thanksgiving) – both playing on the Tope in the new VC’s name.

Time was far spent by the time the new VC mounted the rostrum but he saluted the Ooni, the Pro-Chancellor, Elujoba, principal officers and the entire OAU community while also extending a hand of fellowship to fellow contestants. He was not better, he told them; only that God willed his emergence. He promised to hit the ground running; reposition OAU; attract investment, modify curricula; partner with the alumni; make staff and students’ welfare a priority; regularise the calendar; respect all University organs and maintain an open-door policy. I overheard a professor tell a news reporter that Ogunbodede would be expected to honour his pledge to look into the recommendations of the task forces set up by previous administrations. I must also tell him that the audience has changed his name from Ogunbodede to Ogunmowode (meaning ‘Ogun has brought or should bring money’). The task is daunting, no doubt, but expectations are sky high. The support for the new VC is overwhelming, too. May the people be patient! May Ogunbodede get it right fast! May he not be like APC/Muhammadu Buhari into whom the people invested so much support and confidence; expected to reap so much dividend of democracy but so far have reaped nothing!

I will not be fair if I end this piece without mentioning the OAU PRO, Biodun Olanrewaju. Everyone present at Oduduwa Hall last Wednesday will agree with me that Biodun is an asset to OAU. He is Master of Ceremony par excellence with an uncanny sense of humour. He is witty and wordsmith extraordinaire. I ‘loaned’ the title of this column today from his rich repertoire of apt and deep collection of words expressed at the event. “White African” does not refer to the complexion of the new VC but to his candour, forthrightness, integrity, focus, and “Oyinbo-like” mentality of getting things done. Thank God Biodun survived the relentless gales and tsunamis that threatened to swallow him before this time!

Finally, my head swelled each time the Great Ife alumni anthem was sung at the inauguration: “Great Ife! Great Ife/Africa’s most beautiful campus/Conscious, vigilant, progressive/Aluta against all oppression/Forward ever, backward never/For learning and culture, sports and struggle/Great Ife! I love you/There is only one Great Ife in the universe/Another Great Ife is a counterfeit/Great! Great! Great! Great! Great!” If I have my way, all my children will attend Great Ife! There is only one University in the universe — Great Ife!