The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, has cautioned indigenes and residents of the town protesting against the appointment of a non-native as the vice-chancellor of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife.
The monarch also assured workers and students of the institution of safety of lives and property.
The Ooni, in a statement by his Director of Media and Public Affairs, Moses Olafare, on Wednesday, promised the protesters that their agitation would be given adequate attention, saying protests were legitimate rights and a way to pass messages of dissatisfaction across to relevant authorities.
The statement read in part, “Over the years, the good people of Ife have been a superb host to the university even as they enroll their children and equally join qualified hands to work in the OAU, a citadel of learning.
“The Ife community is proud to have partnered and still partnering with the institution through the House of Oduduwa on viable programmes and projects capable of projecting Ile-Ife to the outside world as an ancient city ready for progress and development.
“While Oba Ogunwusi has rallied major stakeholders to address the issue at hand, the Kabiyesi appeals for calm, calling on all law-abiding citizens to go about their normal businesses without fear. The good relationship between the town and the gown remains as strong as ever, particularly to the benefit of the younger ones in and outside the university. OAU is Ife, Ife is OAU and we shall continue to cohabit in peace for progress.”
