The Governing Council of the Federal Polytechnic, Ede, Osun State, has established a committee to investigate the circumstances leading to the expulsion of 27 students from the institution.
According to The PUNCH, in a briefing with journalists following the inaugural meeting of the institution’s newly formed governing council on Wednesday, Chairman Taiwo Olaiya stated that the council also plans to address the issue of pending promotions for staff members.
These students were recently expelled for their alleged involvement in a violent protest on May 9, 2024, following the arrest of some of their peers by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
The protest reportedly led to the vandalization of property on campus, including an attack on the polytechnic’s Staff Club, where several vehicles were damaged.
The council has indicated that the committee’s findings will determine whether the expelled students will be reinstated.
Olaiya remarked, “After lots of pleas from people concerning this case, we have resolved to call the students to come forward and state their side of the story.”
He further explained, “A committee has been set up and the committee is to report back in the next 48 hours. Once we have the report of the committee, we will know how best to tackle the issue.”
Additionally, Olaiya noted that the council is committed to expediting the pending staff promotions, saying, “We are ready to take care of issues affecting both the students and staff.”
He also emphasized the council’s intention to “bridge the gap between the host community and the school,” with a goal of ensuring a “rancour-free polytechnic by the time our tenure expires.”
