Ajasin Varsity Don appointed ODIEC Chair

The Ondo State Governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, has appointed the Acting Dean of the Faculty of Science of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko, and former Chairman of the Academic Staff Union of Universities Chapter of the University, Dr. Olugbenga Ebenezer Ige, as the Chairman of the Ondo State Independent Electoral Commission.
Dr. Ige, who is described by the University community as a “an achiever and a no- nonsense academic”, has distinguished himself in numerous assignments that border on integrity, including being Chairman, Students Union Electoral Committee,2007; Member, Committee on Presidential Visit, Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba – Akoko, 2006; Member, Post-UME Screening Committee, 2005- Date; Member, Board of the Postgraduate School, 2008 – Date; and Member, University Strategic Planning committee, 2008- Date.
The newly appointed Chairman hails from Itaogbolu, in Akure North Local Government Area. He attended the University of Benin, where he bagged a B.Sc. in Botany with Second Class Upper Division in 1984. He has an M.Sc. in [(Botany) Palynology)] in 1993 and a Ph.D from the University of Ibadan, [(Botany) Palynology & Palaeoecology)] in 2004.
Dr. Ige will lead an eight-man Commission comprising Chief Bisi Ogundipe, Mrs. Joke Adebusoye, Mrs. Lola Adewumi and Comrade Bayo Williams, Barr. Adeoye Omolekulo Mr. Amos Fadope and Mr. Ayo Ajayi.
While swearing in the members of the Commission in Akure last week, Dr. Mimiko, who urged them to be above board, enjoined them to “ensure fair, credible and transparent elections into the Chairmanship and Councillorship positions in the 18 local government council areas of the state after all legal issues would have been resolved.”
Striking a link between the academia, activism and transparency as overtly manifested by the National Chairman of INEC, Prof. Attahiru Jega, in the 2011 elections, the Governor told Dr. Ige, “we believe that your tenure will pay us like that of the former (National) ASUU Chairman.
We went to pick somebody from the academia, somebody who has the background of activism and who we all don’t expect to compromise or do anything other than to ensure fairness.
“Your manifest non-partisanship in any of the existing political parties or interest groups, will engender people’s trust and confidence in the affairs of the Commission and particularly, in the conduct of free and fair local government elections.”
Responding, Dr. Ige pledged to approach the job with the desired sincerity of purpose while courting the support of the State’s political class to deliver free, fair and credible elections in the State.