Osun State Government has reinstated Prof. Jimoh Afolabi, the embattled Provost of the state-owned College of Education, Ila-Orangun.
The government also ordered that the status quo be maintained pending the outcome of investigations.
Arogidigba Global Journal recalled that the Provost, Prof Afolabi was suspended by Peter Babalola, the Chairman of the Governing Council of the college for alleged financial misappropriation.
Also, the state government in response to the ongoing misunderstanding between the College Provost and the Chairman of Council set up a three-man investigative committee headed by the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Kazeem Akinleye.
The investigative committee’s report, which was made public on Thursday, revealed that the committee agreed to reinstate the Provost and reverse his suspension.
According to a statement by the government, “At its meeting chaired by the Committee Chairman, who is also the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Hon Kazeem Akinleye, both the Governing Council and the College management were directed to revert to state of affairs before the eruption of the crisis.
“After almost four hours of presentations by both parties, the committee further instructed both the Provost and the Governing Council Chairman to avoid further escalation either through media war or litigation.
“The Committee Chairman, Hon Akinleye reminded the principal officers of the college’s enabling law, the public service financial regulations and the oath of office they took upon their appointments.
“We also don’t want the crisis to paralyze the school. Any protracted leadership crisis can disrupt academic activities and even the peace of the Ila Orangun community.”