ACCOUNTABILITY IN LEADERSHIP IREE POLY RECTOR EXAMPLE

ACCOUNTABILITY IN LEADERSHIP IREE POLY RECTOR EXAMPLE

Leaving behind all that transpired in the appointment of Dr Olawoye Olaniran as Rector of Osun state Polytechnic, Iree (OSPOLY). I continue with my investigation to know who the Rector is and his achievements in the past years as Rector.

I have taken time to put down these views as a spice to what is to be unravelled. In Igbo land they say; “Ihe mere ede ji bee nwii” meaning (something unique made cocoyam to produce unique sounds.)  Dr Olaniran since assumption of office last two years has been receiving awards day in day out. He has also been receiving commendation from the apex leadership of the country for no other reason but for distinguished public service, for meticulous management of men and resources and for bringing positive ideas novel in the Polytechnic Iree. It was gathered that it is on the weight of these achievements that he is who he is today.

I do not intend to bore my readers with the litany of achievements made by this man fondly called Woye by staff and students but for perspective purposes, it will serve better to lead you into the account of stewardship of Dr Olaniran. In the course of my investigation on the campus, a particular staff who preferred to remain anonymous described the Rector as best in the history of the institution, the gazette of achievements mentioned challenged me to go for more verification. I took a trip of the institution and all that were mentioned were verified. I interviewed more staff and students and their verdict was excellent and as a journalist, I felt I owe the public the duty to put them on the know. That is the intention of this write up. I have not come to praise Dr Woye Olaniran but I have come to state facts as they are for posterity.

It was Cardinal de Retz a French ecclesiastic and churchman who said that “one of man’s greatest failings is that he looks always for an excuse in the misfortune that befalls him, before looking for a remedy—which means he often finds the remedy too late”. But for the rector of Osun state polytechnic, Iree, Dr Olawoye Olaniran, I heard that the volume of challenges he met at his assumption of office which included poor infrastructure, low morale of workforce, insecurity at the campus, forgotten human capacity development, environmental degradation, abuse of power by some staff and so many other gargantuan problems, did not deterred him, he moved to confront and immediately found the remedy on time. Today those challenges have become history.

It was discovered that he was initially faced with attacks from those who ought to have given him quick support; he rather quickly went straight to work to prove detractors wrong. It was learnt in a very short time, he moved most of his critics to his side as his ardent supporters by the quality of work he has been doing and even achieving success with those many would have expected he will be victimizing.

According to a close aide of Dr Olaniran, he said “petition writers and critics strengthen and help the Rector to be awake and always ensure there is oil in his lantern so as to be ready when the bridegroom will arrive.”  This view by the prudent manager of human and material resources is a sign of his humility which is very rare in most leaders. That his disposition does not warrants destructive criticism rather it welcomes constructive suggestions that are geared towards a better administration at OSPOLY, Iree. According to his side, it is the majority opinion that many of the hard knocks the rector has received were misguided, fabricated to misinform and create bad blood against a leader that people have attested to his accountability stature in leadership.

It was Harry Truman a former USA President that said, “Do your duty and history will do you justice”. The Rector of the OSPOLY has in just two years of being in the saddle, done a lot that history will surely be just to him.  Many newspaper publications have carried at different times the report of his transformation in infrastructural and human development, his winning wars against corruption and social vices in the great Poly Iree, his environmental revolution at the campus and lots more. 

In this part of our world, accountability by leaders is very scary as many discover that they have not done enough to raise their heads. On assumption of office by Dr  Woye Olaniran initiated General Assembly a forum for cross fertilization of ideas and channel of letting staff and students to know the vision, mission, progress and challenges of the polytechnic for a sound interaction with management on crucial issues affecting the school.

Having achieve much, I am strongly believe there are no doubt of challenges. Poor funding to enable the school tackle some pressing needs must have been a big concern for the rector who is in a haste to develop Poly Iree. The need for the host community to buy completely into the vision of the present administration must not be over emphasised. The lecturers need to develop the mentoring spirit on students and ensure compliance with the marking and submission of script policy of the present administration.  On the issue of documentation, following the volume of achievement going on, there is need for a periodic strategic documentation of programmes, achievements, challenges, visions and missions of the institution with the view to enlightening the public on the day to day events with facts and figures in line with international best practice. If you don’t say you exist, no one will do it for you.

Be that as it may, it is expected that those who are saddled with responsibilities must give accounts of their stewardship to the people. I have given out a tip of the Ice berg of the volume of achievements by a public servant and solicit that our politicians, religious leaders and public servants must emulate the leadership accountability of the Rector, Osun State Polytechnic Iree, Dr Olawoye Olaniran