OAU Reopens A Week After Closure

By Sodiq Lawal

Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, has re-opened one week after Osun State authorities shut the school over tax default.

Workers returned to the reopened Senate Building and other administrative blocks on Tuesday.

“The Senate Building is presently open and I am in my office likewise other staff, the Senate was reopened yesterday evening for activities,” said Abiodun Olanrewaju, the spokesperson for the school..

The Osun State Internal Revenue Service (IRS) closed the school last week over alleged N1.8 billion tax debt to the state government.

The IRS sealed the Senate building, administrative block, and the bursary department following the expiration of a seven-day ultimatum issued to the school to clear its debt.

The IRS said corporate bodies, including OAU, are indebted to the tune of N12.5 billion.

The State Government through Gbenga Akano, special adviser to the state governor on tax matters, said “several meetings have been held with affected organisations, but it has been a continuous imperviousness and indebtedness. We are left with no option than to openly mention some tax defaulters who failed to perform their civic responsibilities.”