Stop defamatory campaigns: MURIC warns against attacks on Ayede poly rector

Stanley Ihedigbo

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has condemned the ongoing campaign of calumny against the Rector of Ayede Polytechnic, Engr. Dr. Taofeek Adekunle Abdul Hameed urged those behind the smear campaign to desist from their defamatory actions.

In a press statement issued on Monday, 30th December 2024, by the Executive Director of the group, Professor Ishaq Akintola, MURIC accused the detractors of the rector of resorting to blackmail because the latter insisted on following due process, particularly in the award of contracts.

“The pioneer Rector of the Federal Polytechnic, Ayede, Engr. Dr. Hameed was recently accused of nepotism, religious bias, and lack of transparency in the award of contracts. But his detractors and whistle-blowers remain faceless while pursuing their propaganda on social media.

“Our findings reveal that the allegations leveled against the rector are baseless, unfounded, and without any evidence whatsoever. Contrary to the false allegations, the Federal Polytechnic, Ayede, which was established in February 2021, has made monumental progress within such a short period under Engr. Abdul Hameed.

“There is every reason to believe that those behind the malicious propaganda are resorting to blackmail because the rector has always insisted on following due process. Vested interest, Islamophobia, avaricious greed, and rapacious covetousness are responsible for the malice being manifested towards the hardworking rector,” he emphasized.

The human rights activist explained that it was uncommon for an institution that is merely three years old to have reached the height already being enjoyed by the Federal Polytechnic, Ayede.

“Even though it is yet to generate funds internally, 23 projects have been completed through capital projects and the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TEFUND).

“As an astute administrator, the rector has been able to attract and complete four projects donated by philanthropists, all within this short time. The four projects are already visible at the permanent site. This achievement, in particular, is an eloquent testimony to the rector’s credibility, his uncommonness, and the humongous trust that members of the public repose in his person.

“That is not all. The temporary site also boasts of three other completed projects as well as another four renovated and donated projects. This is apart from various equipment that are sine qua non in a tertiary institution procured by the rector for the young polytechnic.

“Among these are 3 Toyota Hilux vehicles, 2 utility vehicles, 40 number of computers, a 500KVA transformer with feeder pillars and cables, 30KVA solar energy with 48 panels and 24 batteries, 40 number of laptops, ongoing construction of a storey building library complex, etc.

“There is no scintilla of ambiguity that Engr. Dr. Taofeek Adekunle Abdul Hameed is a performer with an indubitable pedigree. His fake whistle-blowers are out to smear his good reputation. Their complaints are mere distractions born out of envy, pettiness, and malice. They are clogs in the wheel of progress for the new polytechnic.

“Records show that there has been inter-religious harmony in the Federal Polytechnic Ayede since its inception. The academic and administrative staff must not allow merchants of dirty antics to sow the seeds of religious crisis. Their sole aim is to secure contracts without following due process. These agents of Lucifer must not be allowed to halt the progress of the institution,” he further explained.

The MURIC Founder appealed to the Federal Ministry of Education to ignore the allegations and continue to give the rector and the polytechnic the much-needed support.

“We urge the people of Osun and Oyo states to stop the campaign of calumny against the rector, Engr. Dr.  Hameed,” he stated.