Female staff members of the Cocoa Research Institute of
Nigeria (CRIN) in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, this morning, staged a
semi-nude protest against the Executive Director of the agency, Professor
Malachy O. Akoroda over what they termed ‘the mismanagement of funds through white
elephant projects at the expense of research’.
A petition letter jointly written
and signed by the Chief Yekeen Ogunyode, the Baale of Odo Onanla the host
community and one Solomon Adebiyo read:
"Letters have been sent to the
President Federal Republic of Nigeria and Federal House of Representatives
regarding the lingering crisis in CRIN. In addition numerous petitions have
been sent to the ICPC, the EFCC, the Auditor General, and Accountant General of
the Federation concerning the mismanagement of funds through white elephant
projects at the expense of research by Professor Akoroda.”
The workers alleged that Professor Akoroda use
his influence to engage the security services to intimidate, harass, and
victimize all those involved in the struggle to expose his maladministration
through the issuance of queries, endless warnings, open confrontations and many
more. Chief Ogunyode and other community leaders informed journalists during
the protest that they identify with the plight of the workers and demand for
the removal of Professor Akoroda “We the Community Leaders have made several
attempt to ensure this matter is settled, but Professor Akoroda will not
listen. We cannot continue to fold our arms and watch this institute rot away
or have our land taken away; most of our people are here. We want peace and I
think peace cannot return to this place until Professor Akoroda is
removed"he said.
Professor Akoroda has not reacted to
the strike action or allegations leveled against him
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