CRIN crisis worsens as female workers protest half nude in Ibadan

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CRIN crisis worsens as female workers protest half nude in Ibadan
By; BAYO AKAMO, Ibadan.
Workers of the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria, (CRIN) Ibadan Monday staged a protest half nude in continuation of their demand for the removal of the Institute Executive Director Professor Malachy  Akoroda from office.
The workers mostly women, as early as 7.30am stormed the Ibadan-Ijebu ode road main entrance to the Institute half naked chanting anti Professor Akoroda song round the road leading to the Institute.
Most of the half naked protesters, especially the women have vowed to remain on the street, until the institution’s Director is removed from office by the federal government.
The protesters were seen busy singing and chanting “Akoroda must go” amidst heavy presence of security agencies to forestall anything untoward.
One of the leaders of the protesting workers who is also a research scientist at the Institute, Mr. Solomon Adebiyi lamented that all efforts at resolving the prolonged crisis since 2012 failed, adding that the Institute workers can no longer allow Professor Akoroda to continue as head of the research institute.
Also, an Assistant Chief Agric Superintendent at the Institute, Mrs Regina Adeyemo during the protest vowed to remain half naked on the street until the Executive Director is removed.
Despite the presence of the Police, the workers barricaded the main entrance to the institute with loads of sand and log of woods where they inscribed various inscriptions, which reflected their moods together with some community leaders and youths.
Contrary to the allegation by the workers that the state Police Commissioner has threatened to use force on the protesting workers, the Area commander for Idi Ayunre Police command  who led his men to the scene of the  protest, declared that Policemen were at the Institute to maintain peace and order, saying, “we are aware of their agitation but it is our duty to ensure their protest did not turn violence.”
All effort to speak with the Institute’s Executive Director Professor Akoroda on phone failed as he said  “I cannot speak on this issue except the express permission of the  Permanent Secretary”.

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