There is an uncomfortable narrative that is going on in Ijesaland. This narrative is spreading like wildfire. It is riling up the people. When you listen to people engage in this narrative, the bitterness embedded is always obvious. The feeling of betrayal. The angst about perceived treachery and perfidy. The feeling about a dream evaporating in their presence without them knowing exactly how to tackle it.
The question on the lips of Ijesa people is whether their University of Ilesa is an institution from which the Ijesa should primarily benefit, while accommodating other peoples from other parts of Osun Stater and the country. Or it is a University of Ede in Ilesa created primarily for the people of Ede to the toleration of Ijesa people and exclusion of other Osun State indigenes? Which is which?
There are so many things that the Ijesa are complaining about. But the one that is most hurtful to them is that they have been played out from jobs in the University. That the University workers are “predominantly people from Ede.” That the majority of over 75percent of recently recruited workers are from Ede alone. What is the percentage of the Ijesa out of the recruited employees? How is this distributed across Osun State with Ijesaland as catchment focus?
What is more malodorous about this is the narrative that many of the workers are being bused from and to Ede on daily basis? This could not have been true. One refuses to believe this kind of narrative. One credits the decision makers at the institution with a better intelligence and circumspect than this.
As one write’s this, Ede has two universities. It has one Federal Polytechnic. But it must be underscored that the two universities are private – Adeleke University and Redeemer University. But there is no evidence that the Federal Polytechnic is dominated by outsiders despite the fact that it is a Federal Institution.
The complicated thing about this narrative is that everyone is afraid to confront this narrative. It is either it is confirmed for resolution and rectification, or it is dismissed as unfounded with verifiable facts. It is one’s belief that this narrative should not be allowed to fester. It is not fair for this kind of narrative to continue to saunter. It does so much disservice to those who are trying to build a nascent university.
If anything, the university administration need encouragement in their efforts to lay a solid foundation for the University of Ilesa. All Ijesa want the university to be great and be the melting pot of justice, fairness, integrity and balance. The Governing Council under Hon. Onigbogi and the university administration under Prof. Ashaolu should not be distracted from the work they are doing. But they should also not distract themselves by allowing dangerous narratives that could destroy the University image to fester unnecessarily.
One does not expect every unsavory narrative to be addressed by the university, because such practice would underscore lack of seriousness and approbate undue pettiness. But this one is a very serious one and the polity is restive. The Governing Council headed by Hon. Gbenga Onigbogi and the revered Vice Chancellor of the institution, Professor Taiwo Olufemi Ashaolu need to wake up and address this issue. It could not be ignored. And it is certainly not going to be swept under the carpet, excepting that is an unfounded narrative. Even then, this narrative should not be left without being addressed, with full disclosure permeated by solid and verifiable facts.
The Ijesa worked so hard for a long time under the leadership of Asiwaju Olayinka Fasuyi with other eminent Ijesa sons and daughters to ensure that the former Governor Gboyega Oyetola approved the university. It was the hope of the Ijesa that the university would represent the best of our character and hope for our youth and citizens. That the university would play a positive role in boosting our economy. That the relationship between gown and town would jumpstart viable prosperity and make Ijesa proud.
The Ijesa do not expect the University of Ilesa to become a nest of noxious nepotism. We certainly do not expect it to become a political pool for fishing politicians. The Ijesa are hoping for and expecting a university that would be recognized in the comity of serious institutions. A university that would become primus inter pares within the shortest possible time.
Even, if this narrative is unfounded, it is still a dangerous attitude to allow it to fester without let or hindrance. It is creating enmity. It is creating bitterness. It is creating mistrust. And it is creating a sense of betrayal. It is giving the impression of perfidy. That those who have been trusted are being treacherous.
In some quarters, it is being bandied around that this was the University that Governor Ademola Adeleke tried to cancel by asking it to be reverted to its former status as Osun State College of Education before he was pressured to retreat from such a dangerous decision. All these narratives ought to be nipped in the bud. They should not be allowed to fester. These narratives are a threat to peace and harmony of the Ijesaland in particular and Osun State in general.
This is why it is an obligation for the Governing Council of the University to openly address this serious issue. The University Public Relations department must come out with facts to dismiss this narrative that is already creating bitterness and division. Silence could not be golden in this circumstance. It is unquestionably tantamount to admittance of the truthfulness of the narrative(s).
Ijafara l’ewu. Delay is very dangerous and consequential.
By Remi Oyeyemi.
*"Lies never last, History never dies and the TRUTH is always constant."*
-Remi Oyeyemi
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