Balogun raises the alarm over death threats

The outgoing Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Prof. Olaiya Balogun, has raised the alarm over threats to his life.

Balogun, who disclosed this while addressing newsmen at the university’s Senate House auditorium as part of the activities for the 20th convocation of the institution, claimed that he had received more than 200 death threat text messages from unknown persons.

The VC described the alleged threat text messages as ‘very scary’ and said that he had to keep them away from the knowledge of his wife and children.

He however added that he had already forwarded the messages to the appropriate security agencies for necessary action.

“I have received over 200 threat text messages that are very scary even up to my family level. All of them have also been forwarded to the security agencies and sooner than later I pray that they (suspects) will be nabbed. This is what will give me the greatest joy,” Balogun said.

The FUNAAB outgoing vice-chancellor however further alleged that the threat messages were likely to have emanated from some members of the university community who were aggrieved because they were sanctioned by the institution’s authorities for flouting its policies.

He stated that he was compelled to step on toes of some members of the university community in the course of taking some critical decisions in his efforts to move the institution forward.

Balogun however said that he remained unnerved by the threats to his life, adding that he would not hesitate to take such decisions again whenever necessary if he found himself in a similar situation in future.

At the convocation on Saturday, three eminent Nigerians were honoured.

They are the Governor of Jigawa State, Alhaji Sule Lamido; the Vice-President of the World Bank, Mrs Obiageli Ezekwesili; and a frontline industrialist, Chief Jonathan Olopade.

A total of 1355 students were conferred with various degree in various programmes from the eight colleges of the institution for the 2010/2011 academic session.

He further said that 39 of the graduands made the first class degree category while 473 of them bagged second class (upper division).

The vice-chancellor also said that 607 students made second class (lower division), 191 in the third class division while 17 had ordinary pass degree.

According to him, the institution is currently ranked by the India Partnership Summit Le Matina Educational Excellence Awards as the best Univeristy of Agriculture in Africa.

Balogun also said that a research group, Cybermetric Laboratory in Spain had ranked the University as the second best in Nigeria and the 35th in Africa.