The lingering industrial crisis rocking the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria (CRIN) in Ibadan, Oyo State capital took another dimension on Monday morning as hundreds of workers took to the Ibadan-Ijebuode road protesting against the institute’s director alleged mal-administration.
The women who were almost naked were joined by their male counterpart chanting anti management songs, even the presence of the police did not deter them from their agitation but rather strengthened them the more.
Apart from their protest, the workers also barricaded the main entrance of the institute with loads of sands and log of woods hangers where they inscribed various inscriptions, which reflected their moods.
They were also supported by the some community leaders and youth who shared their feelings and joined them in their demands.
The protesting workers whose ego were triggered by the arrival of the police armed and a pay loader to remove the barricades also accused the Commissioner of Police, Mr Leye Oyebade, of conniving with the institute’s director to suppress their demands for their right.
A paper jointly signed by Chief Yekeen Ogunyode, the Baale of Odo Ona nla, and Comrade Solomon Adebiyo read: “We, the entire workers of the Cocoa research institute of Nigeria (CRIN), Ibadan and members of the host communities decry and condemn in entirety the decision of the Oyo State Commissioner of Police, Mr Leye Oyebade, to use brutal a force to suppress and repress the ongoing legitimate agitation of CRIN workers against the years of despotic and draconian rule of Prof Malachy O. Akoroda, the executive director of the institute.
But the Area commander of Idi Ayunre Police command who led officers to the scene of the protest said they were at the scene to maintain peace and order “ we are aware of their agitation but it is our duty to ensure their protest did not turn violence
The letter reads further that “ Efforts have been made through letters to the President Federal republic of Nigeria and Fderal House of Representatives about the lingering crisis in CRIN, petitions have also been sent to ICPC, EFCC auditor General and Accountant General of the Federation on mismanagement if fund through white elephant projects at the expense of research by Prof . M O Akoroda’
‘ Despite all efforts, he has continued to intimidate harass and victimizing all those involved in the struggle to expose his mal administration through queries endless warning, open confrontation and promotion insubordination within the system’
‘ To further complicate a bad situation he has single handedly proscribe the three in house Union illegally to enable him perpetrate his tyrannical rule in the institute despite an MoU he voluntarily signed with the Federal Ministry of Labour in Abuja.
The Baale of Odo Ona nla Chief Yekeen Ogunyode and other community leaders who spoke with journalists said on why they pitch their tent with the workers ‘ we have made several attempt to ensure this matter is settled but the Diretor did not listen , and we cannot continue to fold our arms and watch this institute rotten or taken away from our land , most of our people are here , we want peace and I think the peace cannot return to this place until Akoroda is removed
Effort to speak with Akoroda on phone was rebuffed as the Professor said he is not permitted to speak on the issue base on the civil service rule. “ I cannot speak on this issue except etartwith the express permission of the permanent secretary’.
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