Provost of Federal College of Education, Technical, Akoka Uncovers Plot to Tarnish College Reputation as Union Leader Insists Tenure Has Expired
The Provost, Federal College of Education, Technical, Akoka, Lagos, Dr Ademola Azeez, says he has uncovered moves by some disgruntled elements within the system to portray the College in bad light before members of the public.
He said that part of their orchestrated plan was the prevention of cleaners on campus in the last few weeks from performing their assigned roles leading to a filthy environment and the convenience looking unkept.
Dr Azeez disclosed this in an interview with an online platform Thenewsnow while reacting to the viral videos and pictures that portrays the College in unhygienic status.
He explained that the development was a deliberate attempt by some staff members who have failed in all fronts in protesting against his reappointment for a second term in office now doing such to cause chaos in the college.
The troubled Provost noted that the same misinformed and misled staff members had locked up his office for over a month and vowed to deal with any cleaner seen performing his or her assigned roles.
Dr Azeez however said that the deployment of security personnel to the College had paved way for the cleaners to return to their posts in order to clean up the entire campus.
According to him, the 57-year old foremost College in the country had witnessed remarkable infrastructural renewal under his watch in the last five years
He said that he is not backing down on the desire of getting the institution upgraded to a Federal University of Technical Education.
But in a swift reaction, the Secretary, Senior Staff Union in Colleges of Education, Nigeria (SSUCOEN), FCE(T), Akoka-Yaba Chapter, Comrade Kazeem Olasupo Quadri said that the response of the Ministry of Education to the tenure of Dr. Azeez was at variance with the Act describing it as a response bought at the black market.
He disclosed that the Ministry has invited all parties to a decision making meeting on Thursday 4th of July, 2024 in Abuja.
Comrade Quadri however insisted that the generality of staff of the college and the Student Union have rejected the reappointment of the Provost adding the campus is now filled with dirt and the toilets in a sorry state.
He also made it clear that academic activities have not been disrupted since the protest started on 27th of May 2024 adding students have been receiving their lectures and some currently writing their exams in the College.
The Staff union leader lamented that the College has been militarized at the moment with five Hilux filled with heavily armed policemen.
He concluded saying that Dr Azeez’s tenure has expired since 26th May, 2024 having spent five years in accordance with the Act and has refused to vacate office in addition to his abysmal performance which is been aided by the Ministry of Education.
