Mining activities within the university, its teaching hospital, and surrounding areas have been suspended indefinitely by the federal government, acting through Minister of Solid Minerals Development Dr. Dele Alake, pending the conclusion of investigations into suspected illegal mining around Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) and Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex (OAUTHC), Ile-Ife, Osun State.
Following a meeting with OAU Vice-Chancellor Prof. Adebayo Bamire and Chief Medical Director of OAUTHC Prof. John Okeniyi, the minister made this revelation in his office yesterday.
Alake claims that in response to media reports in certain areas regarding the activities of illegal miners inside the university’s premises, the ministry moved swiftly to investigate the truth of the allegations.
“Following the outcry generated by reports of illegal mining or suspicion of nefarious activities by mining operators within OAU, we immediately deployed officials of the Nigeria Geological Survey Agency (NGSA) and Mines Inspectorate for on-the-spot assessment.
“Preliminary reports that reached me indicated that there were indeed some activities around the premises. The ministry then stopped all activities, whether legal or illegal, for further investigations, “the minister asserted.
Speaking further, Alake revealed that upon summoning some operators discovered to be carrying out illegal activities, they presented some licenses and letters of consent which necessitated further investigations to ascertain its authenticity, hence the imperative of inviting the university authorities for a parley.
“We have had a very fruitful meeting, and a lot of facts have come out of it. Based on the outcome of the meeting, I announce the indefinite suspension, with immediate effect, of all mining activities within the premises of the University, the University teaching hospital and in fact around the area and boundaries of the university, until the conclusion of thorough investigations”, the minister added.
In his submission, Bamire expressed gratitude to the minister for the audience, highlighting the capacity of the university to play an active role in exploration, research, and other sectors of the mining value chain.
“We have some of the best geologists and mining professionals in the country.We feel that we need to set up a sort of excellent research and training facility on mineral resources within the university.
“If we can get that in the university, it will help us, support the university community, the state, and ultimately contribute to the development of the mining sector, “he added.
In addition, the vice-chancellor referred to the university’s application for an exploration licence, expressing hope that, should it be approved, the institution will be able to conduct research and determine the distribution and quality of mineral resources both nationally and within the university’s boundaries.
Kamarudeen Bakare, the registrar; Prof. Olatokunbo Alao, the head of the department of geology and geophysics; Dr. Anthony Owolabi, the director of physical planning; and Olawuyi Isaac, the director of maintenance services accompanied the vice-chancellor, virtually attending the meeting.