The Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, Fountain University, Osogbo, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, has appealed to Governor Rauf Aregbesola to intervene in the land dispute between the university and some individuals laying claim to the ownership of the land on which the university is built.
Oloyede, in company with members of the Board of Trustees of the university which is owned by an Islamic group, NASFAT, made the appeal during a courtesy visit to Aregbesola in Osogbo, on Monday.
The pro-chancellor said some persons, who had claimed that the land belonged to them, opposed and prevented the construction of a perimeter fence by the university by bringing thugs, who harassed and seized tools of bricklayers working on the project.
Oloyede, a former vice-chancellor of the University of Ilorin, told Aregbesola that former governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola signed the Certificate of Occupancy of the land upon which the university was built.
He added, “While fencing our land, which has a C of O, some people came and harassed us. The problem is not with the Osogbo community but with some persons.
“Your predecessor signed the C of O. We heard that they are saying that no compensation was paid on the land.
“They brought 50 thugs from Ibadan and they are still there now. We heard that the building they are erecting on our land has no approved plan. We want Mr. Governor to intervene in the crisis.”
Oloyede said he heard that the Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Olanipekun, had held talks with the other party, whom he alleged, refused to listen to the monarch.
He said the university wanted a peaceful resolution of the crisis as the institution desired to be at peace with its neighbours.
The pro-chancellor also informed the governor that the university would confer an honorary degree on the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Abubakar Sa’ad III, adding that the Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal, would deliver the convocation lecture of the university in March.
Aregbesola promised to intervene in the crisis between the school and its hosts.
He said, “Even if it’s their land, they should not resort to self-help and that is why the law is there.
“No Nigerian must physically assault you or your interest. I am not saying this because I have affinity with you.”
