Stakeholders of Òkehò community in Kajola Local Government Area of Oyo State have unequivocally dismissed allegations of religious bigotry and favouritism leveled against the Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Agriculture and Technology, Òkehò (FUNATO), Prof. Jacob Babayemi, describing the claims as unfounded, misleading and capable of undermining communal peace.
This resolution was reached at the conclusion of a broad-based stakeholders’ conflict-resolution meeting convened by Ẹgbẹ́ Ọmọ Ìbílẹ̀ Òkehò on Monday, December 29, 2025, at the Òkehò Town Hall and made available to acrossnigerianews.com
The meeting, which attracted a distinguished cross-section of Òkehò indigenes and leaders, was called in response to a petition circulated on social media alleging religious bias in the administration of FUNATO by its Vice-Chancellor.
Among those in attendance were the Chairman of Ẹgbẹ́ Ọmọ Ìbílẹ̀ Òkehò, Dr. Kasali Alarape Salawu, members of the association’s executive council, leaders of Christian and Muslim communities, the National President of Àpérò Ọmọ Òkehò, youth leaders, elders and other prominent sons and daughters of Òkehò.
After what participants described as exhaustive, frank and fact-driven deliberations, the stakeholders resolved to engage directly with the Vice-Chancellor for firsthand clarification.
Consequently, a delegation proceeded to the temporary campus of FUNATO, where Prof. Babayemi was at the time hosting a delegation from ATISBO, led by the Chief Imam of Tede and Chairman of the Interfaith Religious Association, Barr. Imran Adewale Atilola. The ATISBO delegation offered prayers for FUNATO, its leadership and the Òkehò community, a gesture widely acknowledged as a powerful symbol of interfaith harmony.
Following the departure of the ATISBO delegation, Òkehò leaders held an extensive and transparent engagement with the Vice-Chancellor. During the interaction, Prof. Babayemi provided a detailed account of the issues that gave rise to the petition, offering explanations that stakeholders described as factual, coherent and convincing.
At the end of the meeting, community leaders unanimously passed a vote of confidence in the Vice-Chancellor, declaring that Prof. Jacob Babayemi is not a religious bigot, contrary to the claims circulating on social media.
The stakeholders further affirmed that Prof. Babayemi possesses the academic pedigree, emotional intelligence and administrative competence required to successfully lead FUNATO, noting that since assuming office as the pioneer Vice-Chancellor, he has demonstrated commitment, diligence and vision in positioning the institution for global relevance.
In a strongly worded communiqué issued after the meeting, Ẹgbẹ́ Ọmọ Ìbílẹ̀ Òkehò pledged to collaborate with individuals, groups and associations within Òkehò and the wider Òkèògùn region to protect and defend FUNATO as a strategic asset for regional development.
The association also reaffirmed its commitment to fairness, justice, equity and inclusivity, while vowing to work closely with religious leaders to sustain peace and promptly address any future misunderstandings.
Importantly, the stakeholders strongly condemned the use of social media as a tool for ventilating grievances or resolving sensitive community and institutional matters, warning that such actions are capable of stoking division and unrest.
They emphasized that dialogue remains the only acceptable mechanism for conflict resolution and stressed that Ẹgbẹ́ Ọmọ Ìbílẹ̀ Òkehò would continue to operate strictly as an advisory body without interfering in the day-to-day administration of FUNATO.
The communiqué also underscored that the law establishing FUNATO remains supreme in matters of staff appointments and student admissions, while urging the university to apply catchment-area considerations fairly and transparently within the limits of the law.
Concluding, the stakeholders declared that the misunderstanding which briefly threatened harmony in Òkehò has been fully resolved, assuring residents that the “embers of discord have been completely extinguished.”
They called on all indigenes of Òkèògùn to remain united, vigilant and committed to the collective task of building and protecting FUNATO as a catalyst for educational advancement and socio-economic development.
The communiqué was jointly signed by members of the Report and Communiqué Committee, including Mr. Kunle Awojobi, Pst. Favour Adéwọyin, Alhaji Saminu Saruq, Rev. Dr. T. G. Olawuwo, Alhaji Soliu Shittu, and Mr. Raheem Amusat.
