EFCC: FUTASU Throws Support For Vice Chancellor, Prof. Adebiyi Daramola

The Students Union Government (SUG) of the Federal University of Technology (Akure) has thrown their weight behind the institution’s Vice Chancellor, Prof. Adebiyi Daramola, despite being investigated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over allegations of financial misappropriation.

The Students said the petition raised by the protesting staff members under the Joint Action Committee (JAC) against the Vice Chancellor was baseless and inhumane to discredit the reputation of the school.

President of the Union, Segun Oladele and the Speaker, Alexander Ogunsakin who spoke on behalf of the students told journalists on Friday that allegations against the school head was fabricated.

“The FUTA Students’ Union, after thorough, painstaking and extensive investigation, is categorically stating in unambiguous terms that the petition that is threatening to tear the institution apart is not only baseless.

“But also a fabrication of lies, devilish propaganda, inhumane and unjust allegations and a well orchestrated act to discredit, tarnish and destroy the hard earned name and reputation of the Vice Chancellor – Prof Adebiyi Gregory Daramola” the said.

The Students said the action of the union members was against the collective interest of the institution’s development as it relates with their continuous protest.

“It is on this note that the FUTA Students’ Union is stating emphatically that the actions and display of FUTA SSANU, NASU and NAAT under a joint body named JAC is totally condemned in its entirety.

“Currently, the massive developmental projects aesthetically littering the landscape of FUTA is unprecedented in the annals of our institution.

“Records available to the FUTA Students Union Government has shown clearly that most of these huge infrastructural projects aimed at improving the academic ambiance of the campus are wholly and/or largely funded under the ingenious IGR scheme accrued to the institution coffers.

“it is imperative to state in clear terms that the bane of contention in the blackmailing petition flying around is the fact that the FUTA Staff Unions (SSANU, NASU and NAAT) are ONLY interested in “Business as usual style of sharing the FUTA Internal Generated Revenue (IGR)” as take home or welfare packages tagged “productivity allowance”

The students further alleged that the continued protest of the union was being orchestrated to mortgage and deprived them of a standard academic institution.

“The FUTA Students’ Union will not sit fallow and allow the hard earned money contributed by our hardworking parents and guardians to be used for any other unproductive purpose apart from the development of FUTA which we are currently witnessing in droves on our campus.

“Nigerian students are totally not in support of such inhuman request. We see it as evil, barbaric and retrogressive towards FUTA development.

“It is crystal clear that our money has been judiciously utilized. SSANU, NASU and NAAT should be ashamed of their demands as it doesn’t relate with progressiveness.

“It is a well known fact that the statutory salaries of the staff had never for once been denied; FUTA staff received their salaries promptly as at when due and also benefits from various staff palliatives.

“We urge all FUTA Staff Unions to join hands by supporting the lofty and novel vision of the Vice Chancellor and the University Management towards the development in FUTA.

“Let it be clear that the students union in one way or the other are not fighting the Staff union.

“We have no cause to fight them but rather plead with them and urge them to be considerate and be partner to progress towards FUTA development and academic breakthrough, he added.

The Union members of the school had been protesting for the removal of the vice chancellor who was being alleged of misappropriating funds of the institution.