No fewer than 85 students finished in the first class division from the Federal University of Technology, Akure, as the institution holds its 28th convocation ceremony for the 2015/2016 session.
85 bag First Class as FUTA holds convocation
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Tag Archives: FUTA
Federal University of Technology Akure Suspends Protesting Union Leaders, 20 Others
The crisis rocking the Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA) in Ondo State deepened on Tuesday as the authorities of the suspended three leaders of the protesting staff, and 20 others.
The affected leaders are: Comrade Dele Durojaiye of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU); Comrade Bayo Aladerotohun of the Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU); and Comrade Omoraka Emmanuel of the National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT).
The three men have been leading the aggrieved members of staff of FUTA in protest against the administration of the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Adebiyi Daramola, who is accused of misappropriating official funds.
That allegation resulted in Prof. Daramola attracting the attention of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and it was authoritatively gathered that he has recently been a frequent visitor to the office of the commission in Ibadan.
The university statement, signed by Modupe Ajayi, the registrar of the institution, accused the leadership of the protesting unionists of disrupting university activities and municipal services since the institution was shut down.
It claimed that the authority took the suspension decision because it had repeatedly advised the union leaders to call off its protest and allow proper academic activities to return, but that they failed to do.
“Your action amounts to willful disobedience and act of insubordination to the governing council, which is tantamount to misconduct.
“In this regard the portion of the letter under reference, which states that Council will, therefore, take appropriate action to restore normalcy if the unions fail to comply with its directive is at this moment being effected.
“Consequent upon that, and in consonance with the university’s enabling law, I have been directed that you be put on suspension (on half pay) with effect from Monday, November 28, 2016, pending the resolution of the matter.”
The protesters have been demanding the resignation of Prof. Daramola since last month.
As the crisis escalated yesterday, the Vice-Chancellor allegedly struck Abiodun Atunbi, a member of NASU, with his vehicle. He was rushed to a local hospital, and Prof. Daramola arrested.
None of the suspended union leaders could be reached for comment as of the time of this report, but a close source told SaharaReporters that no letter had been received by leaders.
“If the leaders received such letter, they would have communicated to us. But I can assure you that everything would be clear by tomorrow, and we shall not relent in our demand and agitation for the removal of the corrupt VC”, he said in a telephone interview.
NASU Leader Hit By FUTA Vice Chancellor’s Car Hospitalised
Abiodun Atunbi, a member of the Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU) of the Federal University of Technology, Akure, chapter, crushed by the institution’s Vice Chancellor’s car, has been hospitalized, SaharaReporters can authoritatively report
Mr. Atunbi sustained serious injuries as well as bruises on his face, arms and legs in the accident. Professor Adebiyi Daramola, the university’s Vice-Chancellor, at about 8.30am on Monday, car rammed Atunbi on Bank Road at Oba’nla inside the main campus of the institution.
Speaking from his hospital bed in Akure, Mr. Atunbi told SaharaReporters that Professor Daramola purposely hit him with his car during a prayer meeting held by protesting staff of the institution.
He disclosed that the university is currently in crisis, as academic activities have been paralyzed, following the strike embarked upon by the three staff unions of the institution.
“While I joined others in awaiting the arrival of the clergymen, the JAF Chairman, Mr. Dele Durojaiye, called on all of us to walk down to the Bank Road near the institution’s roundabout.
“We got there, and I stood at the back where others had already converged. Later, I saw an SUV driving by, but I never knew it was the Vice Chancellor’s car. The next thing I knew was it had hit and run over me.
“I lost consciousness. I was rushed to a vehicle and taken to the hospital for treatment, and it was when I got here [hospital] that I could recollect the incident,” said Mr. Atunbi.
When asked if he was standing by the road when he was hit, Mr. Atunbi said he was very far from the main road. The vehicle just rammed into me; I was not holding any weapon. So, I don’t know why I deserve this from my Vice Chancellor,” he told SaharaReporters.
A police source that pleaded anonymity had earlier confirmed to SaharaReporters that the incident was reported to the Police, which whisked Professor Daramola to the station.
“The Vice Chancellor was arrested and taken to our station at the State Investigation Bureau in Akure before he was later taken to Okuta Elerinla Police Station for further interrogation,” disclosed the Police source.
He added that the timely intervention of the police prevented the protesting unionists from lynching the Vice Chancellor, who has been accused of fraud in involving university funds, as revealed by the office of the Accountant-General of the Federation.
VC Of FUTA Arrested For Deliberately Crushing Staff With Vehicle.
Prof. Adebiyi Daramola, the embattled Vice Chancellor of the crisis-ridden Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA), in Ondo State, was this morning arrested after he hit a member of staff of the institution with his car.
Abiodun Ademola Atunbi of the Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU) member of FUTA was allegedly crushed to the point of death, and was rushed to the hospital.
SaharaReporters learned that the incident happened on the main campus at Oba’nla in Akure at about 8:30a.m. as some members of staff of the institution were gathering at a meeting point for prayers.
Our correspondent gathered that the victim is the younger brother of a renowned journalist, Dele Atunbi of the Nigeria Television Authority (NTA).
Police Officers from the Okuta Elerinla Police Station arrested Prof. Daramola shortly after the incident.
Several aggrieved members of staff of the school converged at the Senate building following the incident.
Many of them trooped out to the street and made a bonfire as a sign of protest against the Vice-Chancellor’s wickedness, described by one of them as a deliberate action taken out of anger to kill Mr. Atunbi, who was one of the activists agitating for his removal from office.
One source told SaharaReporters that Mr. Atunbi was on his way to the prayer ground but was attacked by Professor Daramola with his vehicle immediately the Vice Chancellor saw him.
“The Vice Chancellor deliberately did it with the aim of killing Mr. Atunbi who he sees as a threat and whistleblower to his corrupt administration in the school,” he said.
“This is a man that has been threatening to kill all of us who are agitating for his removal from the office following the discovery of his corrupt practices with the school treasury.”
Comrade Durojaiye, the FUTA Chairman of Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Universities (SSANU) also confirmed the incident to SaharaReporters in a telephone interview.
“The incident happened around the bank road of the main campus, and I think it was deliberate because the Vice Chancellor has always threatened to deal with some of us who are against the continuity of his administration in the school.
“The victim, Mr. Atunbi, is a member of NASU and is our time-keeper during this period of protest and he rings the bells early in the morning to create awareness for members of staff to converge at our meeting point for prayers.
“Considering the incident that happened this morning, the aim of the VC is to kill us one after the other and keep us quiet but we have uncovered his plan, and he shall fail,” Mr. Durojaiye said.
EFCC quizzes FUTA VC, bursar for alleged fraud
Prof. Adebiyi Daramola, Vice Chancellor, Federal University of Technology (FUTA) Akure and the Bursar, Emmanuel Oresegun were on Wednesday quizzed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the duo were quizzed at the Ibadan office of the anti-graft agency on allegation of abuse of office and misappropriation of funds.
Mr Ayo Oyewole, Head of Public Affairs, EFCC, Ibadan Office, told NAN on Wednesday that the commission quizzed the two men based on the petition it received against them.
He said that the duo were alleged to be involved in corruption, fraud, criminal breach of trust, unlawful enrichment, conversion of millions of naira belonging to the university.
Oyewole said that the Vice Chancellor allegedly received furniture allowance annually instead of once in four years as approved.
He added that Daramola was also accused of paying himself housing allowance while residing in the University’s Vice Chancellor’s Quarters.
He said that the petition also alleged that the VC diverted funds from various unrelated subheads to finance other projects without the appropriate approvals for such virement.
NAN reports that the duo are still being interrogated at the time of this report.
Meanwhile, a Federal High Court, sitting in Jos, Plateau State, has ordered for the arrest of a former Governor of Gombe State, Senator Danjuma Goje, for refusing to show up in court. In reaction, EFCC has threatened to arrest the Senator anytime soon.
5 Undergraduate “Yahoo Boys” In EFCC Custody Over N16M Internet Fraud Case
Four undergraduates of the Federal University of Technology Akure, (FUTA) and another student from Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba, (AAUA) have been arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
A statement released by Wilson Uwujaren, EFCC spokesman, said the alleged scammers carried out N16 million worth of internet fraud.
The quartet were arrested at an off- campus residence located at Anuoluwapo Close, Stateline Hotel Road, off FUTA South Gate, Akure, Ondo.
“The fraudsters who are between 20 and 23 years of age include: Adeleke Paul (21), Adebiyi Tayo Abudu (22) , Akinsanmi Olusola Adeniyi (21), Ogundile Ademola James (23) and Okali Ugochukwu (21).
“The commission got wind of their activities through series of intelligence. Paul and his co-travelers, who go about with the name Tsunnami Gang and Young Pablo Money allegedly swindled unsuspecting foreigners and others to the tune of N16 million recently.
“The suspected fraudsters engaged in fraudulent activities of obtaining money by false pretences through scam mails. Paul is a penultimate final year’s student of Building Technology while James and Olusola are both 400 level students of Agricultural Resources and Mathematics respectively.
“Okali is a 200 level student of Urban and Regional Planning, while Adebiyi Tayo is a 300 level Student of Mathematics of the Adekunle Ajasin University. Akungba, Ondo State.
“At the point of arrest, EFCC operatives recovered a 2006, black Toyota highlander with registration number(Lagos) LND 112 EG, 2010 light- green Toyota Camry (Muscle) registration number (Lagos) AAA 850 EF, laptops, three Apple iphone6 and three Blackberry phones from them.
“Some implicating documents were also found and downloaded from their laptops. They are to be arraigned in court as soon as investigation is completed.”
We Have No Choice Than To Sack Workers ? FUTA VC
The Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology Akure, Ondo State, Prof. Adebiyi Daramola has declared that the institution had no alternative but to sack teachers of the university’s staff primary school, since the directive came for the federal government.
The staff school teachers who were members of the Non-Academic Staff Union of Universities and Senior Staff Association of the Nigerian Universities last week protested against the decision of the varsity to disengage their members, alleging that the VC was insensitive to their case and ccording to them, no other varsity had carried out the directive.
Daramola who addressed journalists on Monday at the Senate Building of the institution, stated that he could not help the situation by converting many of the affected teachers to lecturers in the university, saying “if we accommodate them they would be regarded as ghost workers by the federal government.”
The VC said, “We have no choice than to implement the directives of the federal government because the 2016 allocation does not include their salaries, some schools have also implemented it before us, for instance Usman Don Fodio, Sokoto and UNILAG have implemented it.
The FUTA boss, who insisted that there was no going back in the disengagement of the workers, stated that another set of teachers had been employed to take up the jobs in the school, following the refusal of the sacked teachers to re-apply.
“We have held several meetings with the SSANU and NASU in this school, appealing to them to tell the teachers to re-apply but they refused. Many eminent personalities in the state had talked to them, yet they refused to re-apply.
“If they had agreed to re-apply, we were ready to accommodate all of them but it is late now, because we have employed other people,” Daramola explained.
However, in his reaction, the Chairman of NASU, FUTA Chapter, Comrade Adebayo Aladerotohun insisted that no university in the country had implemented the directive of the federal government to sack workers except FUTA.
He said that the institution had recruited another set of teachers without following due process, alleging that the VC made the recruitment to favour his people as he allegedly employed only his relatives.
