Lagos State University (LASU), Ojo has refuted a media report accusing a member of its academic staff and former Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), Prof Peter Okebukola of alleged age falsification.
According to the university, there is no ambiguity in the date of birth or retirement status of Prof Okebukola as contained in his record with the school. Coordinator, Centre for Information, Press and Public Relations of LASU, Mr Ademola Adekoya stressed that the university abides strictly with the rule of law, statutes and conditions of service guiding its operations.
The statement followed an online report, claiming that Prof Okebukola has multiple days of birth records with LASU and is, therefore, not fit as Chairman of the Governing Council, National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) to oversee the appointment of a new vice chancellor for NOUN, where he is allegedly scheming to impose his candidate.
However, Mr Adekoya maintained that Prof Okebukola, who is the Director of Africa Centre of Excellence at LASU and Chairman, Governing Council of NOUN, joined the institution from the then Oyo State College of Education, Ilesa, and that the date of birth on his record of service forwarded to the university by his former employer is February 17, 1951.
“So, the university is bound to stand by that date because the record of service is the officially recognised record and also confirmation of Prof Okebukola’s assertion on his date of birth,” Adekoya said.
He added that the new law promulgated by the Lagos State government extending the retirement age of professors in the academic circle to age 70 changed the projection in Okebukola’s favour.
