Owing to the lingering crisis in the Federal University of Akure (FUTA), The Akure leaders under the auspices of the Akure Community Development Forum (ACDF) at the weekend called on all stakeholders to end the crisis of the institution.

The forum, which commended the role of the traditional ruler of Akure, Oba Aladetoyinbo Aladelusi, in preventing the escalation of the crisis, condemned the attitude of the Vice Chancellor of the institution, Prof Adebiyi Daramola, towards the traditional stool of Akure.

According to Ceoafrica, in a statement issued by the leaders and signed by the Chairman of the group, Chief Reuben Fasonranti and the Chairman, Akure Council of Chiefs, High Chief James Olusoga said “The Akure Community has condemned in strong terms the lack of respect for the traditional institution of Akure exhibited by the Vice Chancellor of FUTA, Prof. Adebiyi Gregory Daramola.

The Community observed with utter disappointment and shock, the manner in which Prof. Adebiyi Gregory Daramola has dragged the Deji-in-Council and the Community into contempt with his utterances and behaviour.

“The Community notes that it is sacrilegious for the Vice Chancellor to desecrate the traditional institution of Akure, and this will not be tolerated by the people of Akure Kingdom.”

“The leaders however, issued a seven-day ultimatum to Prof. Daramola to apologise to the Deji of Akure and the Akure Community for the lack of respect he has shown to our traditional institution.”

However, Daramola, in a statement personally signed by him, said there was never any attempt on him to ridicule or desecrate the traditional institution of Akure, saying the management of the institution will continue to guard jealously the FUTA-Akure Partnership which remains the pivot of the university’s engagement with the larger Akure Community.

Daramola in the statement titled “Unreserved Apology” said the management of FUTA hold  Oba Aladelusi and the Deji-in-Council in high esteem and would continue to do so.

Daramola said ” the Vice Chancellor and the entire University Community have no reason whatsoever and have never in any way or form dragged the Deji-in-Council and the Akure Community into disrepute or shown contempt to our revered Royal Father.

“There was never any attempt and there will never be any move on the part of the Vice Chancellor and the entire FUTA Community to desecrate the traditional institution of Akure.

“We will continue to guard jealously the FUTA-Akure Partnership which remains the pivot of the University engagement with the larger Akure Community.”

According to him “since his ascension to the esteemed throne of his fore fathers, he has repeatedly shown that he is a father to all and a peacemaker, but for his fatherly role and quick interventions at various levels the crisis in FUTA would have escalated.

“We recall his intervention which led to peace meetings between the parties to the crisis. Kabiyesi graciously hosted some of the meetings and did everything to ensure that the issues did not escalate.

“The Governing Council members of the University when they were briefed on the fatherly role of Kabiyesi in the peace building efforts had only words of appreciation for him and the Deji- in- Council

“We also seize this opportunity to tender unreserved apology to Oba Aladetoyinbo Ogunlade Aladelusi Odundun II and the Deji- in- Council over the crisis and whatever injury some misrepresentations may have caused”.