OYO State Wing of the Nigerian Union of Teachers, NUT, Ogbomoso Zone has petitioned Mr. Olufemi Olanihun, Zonal Head of the state Teaching Service Commission, over what it described as ‘unjust appointments’ of secondary school Principals and Vice Principals respectively .
Contained in a petition submitted to the state House of Assembly Committee on Education which was read at the plenary on Tuesday, disclosed that “ The Zonal Head failed to adhere to the criteria set for invitation of qualified Vice- Principals to be appointed Principals. The invitation was extended strictly to vice principals whose years of certification fell with Degree 1996 and earlier but Mr Olanihun in his bid to favour his own interest invited Vice- Principals whose years of certification were later than 1996- 2005 , leaving many of 1988-1996 uninvited”.
Also, the petition which was signed by the Zonal secretary, Mrs Abiola Enoma and Zonal NUT trustees copy of which was also available to NUT, Oyo state wing, TESCOM, State headquarters ANCOPPS , the unjust favouritism was repeated during the appointment of Vice -Principals giving junior teachers an edge above their seniors , a phenomenon which made senior teachers to serve under the school administration of their junior.
“To make the situation worse, he issued postdated letter of appointments to unmerited vice principals up to month of October 2018 after he might have retired from the service.
“ These unethical and unprofessional exercise by Olanihun reflects his selfish interest to the advantage of his favourites , thereby perpetrating injustice which in turn generates disharmony among our teachers.”
The petition added that efforts to resolve the issue amicably with Mr Olanihun proved abortive as he insisted that “ What he has done can never be undone”
Calling for retraction of all unjust appointments of Vice –Principals made since September 2017 till date, the NUT also maintained that those that merit the appointments to both post of Principals and Vice Principals be appointed.
They further demand return of Mr Olanihun back to classroom by TESCOM because he has demonstrated incapability as a Zonal Head of the organization.
Reacting to the petition, the Speaker, Oyo State House of Assembly, Hon Joshua Olagunju Ojo set up a committee headed by Hon Kehinde Subair, to look into the matter and report back to the house in two weeks.
Other members of the committee includes, Hon Gbenga Oyekola, Hon Bimbo Oladeji, and Hon Fatai Adesina.
When contacted to react to the allegation raised against him, Olanihun said he is not in position to react to such allegation because it is official and he is not permitted to speak with the press.
