Controversy trails appointment of rector into federal polytechnic

Michael-Azeez Ogunsiji

ABEOKUTA – Controversies have continued to trail the appointment of a new Rector at the federal polytechnic, Ile-Oluji in Ondo State following an alleged plan by the members of the Governing council of the institution to fill in an unqualified candidate for the vacant position.

It was gathered that some  of the council members allegedly connived with the Rector of Lens Polytechnic in Kwara State, Dr Ebeloku Iyanda Ademola to ensure his smooth emergence as the Rector of the federal polytechnic.

It was further gathered that Ademola has been shortlisted as one of the qualified candidates for the vacant position of Rector at the federal polytechnic despite being a Rector of another polytechnic.

The Federal Polytechnic, Ile-Oluji in a publication in Leadership Newspaper said anyone who had held  the position of Rector in any tertiary institution is not qualified to apply for the vacant post.

According to the position of Rectorship advertised in publication of Leadership newspaper of September 16, 2022, previous holders of the position in any tertiary institution need not apply.

It added, “The present Deputy Rector, Registrar, Dean, Student Affairs and Head of Personnel at the Federal Polytechnic, Ile Oluji are all from Osun State which does not represent the principle of Federal Character as a Federal institution.”

An investigation conducted by our correspondent however, revealed that Ademola was shortlisted as a qualified candidate and also interviewed for the position of the Rector even when he is still holding the same position in another institution at Lens Polytechnic, Offa in Kwara state.

Findings also revealed that some officials of the  institution Governing council  have allegedly concluded plans to appoint Ademola as the new Rector of the polytechnic which was against section B of the additional information on the advertised publication of Leadership newspaper edition of September 22, 2022.

It was discovered that Dr. Ebelolu Iyanda Ademola had earlier applied to the Federal Polytechnic Ado-Ekiti and the Federal Polytechnic, llaro for the position of Rector where he was disqualified based on the fact that he was not qualified for the same reason of holding a similar position at Lens Polytechnic, Offa.