Crisis seems to be brewing between Obafemi Awolowo University, OAU, Ile Ife and its host community over some portion of land allocated to the university.
While the university management, through the vice-chancellor is accusing the Ife community of selling some portion of the university’s land, the community is warning the university to steer clear of every square meter of land beyond what was approved by the then western region government for Ife division as contained in the gazette.
When Obafemi Awolowo university was founded in 1961 by the government of the then western region, some portion of land was allocated to it by the then Ooni of Ife, Oba Adesoji Aderemi, which according to the management of the university, occupies eleven thousand nine hundred and sixty one hectares.
The university management now accuses some land grabbers in the community of selling some portion of the institution’s land.
Read Also : OAU Lost two Lecturers in two days
But in its reaction, the Ife community accused the management of the indiscriminate sale of the land to private individuals under the guise of public private partnerships in order to enrich some members of management.
The vice chancellor however disclosed that under the directive of the federal government, the university has set machinery in motion to secure its land.
(Editor: Paul Akhagbemhe)
