Corruption Allegation: Ogun Students Exonerate TASCE Provost, Pass Vote Of Confidence

By ABIODUN JIMOH, ABEOKUTA

National Association of Ogun State Students (NAOSS) and National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Joint Campus Committee (JCC) Ogun Axis have described the corruption allegation leveled against Dr. Lukman Kiadese, Provost of the Tai Solarin College of Education (TASCE), Omu-Ijebu by the Concerned Academic Staff (CAS) as baseless.

The student bodies hereby challenged the group to come forward with evidence to back up their claims, just as they described CAS as a group of saboteurs and ingrates within the institution trying to destroy the good work the provost has been doing since his assumption of office.

This was disclosed in a statement jointly signed by the National President of NAOSS, Comrade Oluwagbemilke Ogunrombi and the Chairman of NANS, Comrade Bamgbose Tomiwa in Abeokuta on Saturday while reacting to the call for the removal of the provost by CAS of the institution.

They however expressed their confidence in the leadership of the provost, and also commended him for stabilising the institution even when it almost collapsed as a result from neglect from the immediate past administration of Senator Ibikunle Amosun.

The student bodies insisted that Dr. Kiadese has repositioned the college making the institution one of the best among citadels of learning in the country.

“The Concerned Academic Staff calling for removal of the provost over corruption allegation leveled against him by the group is baseless, and we challenge the group to come forward with evidence to back up their claims. They are group of saboteurs and ingrates.

“Those who are parading themselves as CAS are not after the growth of the institution, but only trying to cause crisis again after benefitting from the magnanimity of Governor Dapo Abiodun who upon assumption of office in May 29, 2019 restored academic activities to the institution,” NAOSS and NANS noted.

The student bodies recalled that, but for the timely intervention of Governor Dapo Abiodun and the provost of TASCE, the institution would have ceased to exist as a result of the crisis that the state-owned citadel of learning for almost three years.

They urged Governor Abiodun not be distracted by the saboteurs who are hellbent on destroying the institution and reappoint Kiadese as the provost of the institution for the second time.

“Going by unprecedented achievements of Dr. Kiadese during his first term in office as the provost, we have no doubt that he will take this Institution to greater height when re-appointed,” the students said.

While passing a vote of confidence on the provost, they said: “Dr. Kiadese has brought his administrative acumen on board in the management of academic activities, day to day running of the institution and other extra-curricular activities as it affect the personal development of the students of the Tai Solarin College of Education.

“It is on record that the college of education was devoid of any unwarranted crisis under him as the provost. And the institution has also experienced unprecedented development since the appointment of Kiadese as the provost of the institution.

“Dr. Kiladese has cordial working relationship with both academic and non academic staff as well as students and the Students Union Government (SUG).

“From our independent findings and personal interaction with him, he is an epitome of God given talent and an experienced educationist that the college still stands to gain a lot from if re-appointed as the provost.”

The student bodies listed some of the achievements of Dr. Kiadese to include: “Conducting the first accreditation of all courses through the National Commission for Colleges Education (NCCE).

“Facilitating degree affiliation for TASCE and moving the college to its permanent site in Omu Ijebu. Aggressive improvement of the college infrastructure and the release all graduating students certificate, among others.

“We urge the Governor Abiodun not to listen to these group of destroyers because TASCE cannot afford to back into another crisis as this may totally consume the institution.”