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    Friday, May 26, 2017

    "I was not arrested for stealing" OAU prof says



    Former Dean, Faculty of Agriculture, Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Prof. Adesina Aderibigbe, has debunked a report in an online medium which alleged he was indicted by the Governing Council of the institution. He said he was neither indicted for stealing from the Agric Farm nor arrested by the university security at the gate as was being rumoured.

    Prof. Aderibigbe, an Animal Nutritionist, told reporters that the report by one Concerned Integrity Group on the thebriefng.com, an online news site whose address cannot be verified, was false and sponsored by some elements within OAU to tarnish his integrity.
    According to Aderibigbe, the spurious publication was planted to stop him from winning election into the Joint Council and Senate Selection Board (JCSSB) for the appointment of a new Vice-Chancellor. Nonetheless, Aderibigbe is happy that he emerged victorious among the four contenders.

    He said: “I have never been indicted by the university’s Governing Council or any committee in the university or anywhere else. Rather, my efforts and those of other faculty deans were commended by Council, which consequently approved a sum of N30 million for the farm. Even the former VC, Prof. Roger Makanjuola, on August 24, 2005, wrote me a letter, Ref. No. VC90/Vol.VI/6,to congratulate me on my various achievements as the dean during that period.

    “The false story on my person was targeted at stopping my election into the JCSSB for the just concluded VC appointment. However, my colleagues knew my track record, character and integrity and voted overwhelmingly for me despite the massive circulation of the false online story a day before the election in Senate. The evil perpetrators failed in their attempt to stop me from winning one of the two Senate spots. Subsequently, I discharged my responsibility creditably well during the VC selection process to the unprecedented satisfaction of all the 21 applicants, members of OAU community and Nigerians in general.

    ‘’I want to use this opportunity to clear my name and hard earned reputation and integrity which the faceless and cowardly “Concerned Integrity Group “attempted to rubbish, but failed woefully. I am very happy that the sponsors of the false story did not achieve their goals.”

    Aderibigbe said his initial reaction was to overlook the story, but had to rescind that decision following the advice of colleagues and family members. “The entire story is fake and unfounded. It was meant to achieve an evil purpose, but they have failed woefully.”
    He said no amount of blackmail and sponsored stories by some disgruntled elements within and outside the university would stop him from being focused and doing what is right, fair and just.

    “In fact, winning the election despite the false and evil publication, was like a double vote of confidence in me by my distinguished colleagues in the Senate, for which I am very gratefu. I thank God for making me not to disappoint them during the selection process. I will remain resolute to maintain my honour and integrity always.”

    He said he has already instructed his lawyer to begin legal process against the operator of the online site who he accused of not verifying the story before running it online.
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