The Vice Chancellor of Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti, Professor Edward Olanipekun has debunked the rumors going round that the management of the institution was planning to reduce the workforce of its workers by retrenching those who have worked for 30 years and above.
Professor Olanipekun stated this at a press conference held at the conference room of the University in Ado Ekiti to commemorate the 27th convocation ceremony for the awards of diploma, degree and post-graduate certificates of the institution.
The University Don disclosed that the rumor going round was the handwork of the fifth columnists who are seeking for elective positions in the citadel of learning, adding that it has been on since 2018 to derail his administration.
He assured that the school will recruit more staff in some of its critical areas and not retrenchment, as soon as the finances of the institution improve.
Professor Olanipekun disclosed that the institution will not award any honorary doctorate degree during the convocation ceremony, adding that such awards can be given to the people on the Founder’s Day which is 31st March every year.
While presenting the breakdown of the academic awards at this year’s convocation ceremony, the Vice Chancellor announced that a total number of 5,963 will be convoked during the two days ceremony slated for Wednesday 19th and Thursday 20th April, 2023, with 66 students in the first Class category.
Highlighting further, Prof. Olanipekun said that 1,160 students would be graduating with second Class Upper division, 1,927 graduands at the Second Class Lower, 224 at theThird Class divisions and 1 graduating student going home with pass.
According to him, 207 students would be awarded Masters and post-graduate diploma certificates, while 74 ordinary diploma students as well as 80 medical students would also receive their awards at the ceremony.
The Vice Chancellor appreciated the commitment of the Governor of Ekiti State, Mr Biodun Oyebanji who is also the visitor to the institution for the support given to the institution so far since his inception in office.
While reacting to the recent protest by students that led to the suspension of academic activities in the school, Professor Olanipekun promised to set up a committee comprising the management staff and students to look into the cause of the unrest as well as to review the hike in the school’s tuition fees.
Packaged by Mayowa Owogbade
