Don't be annoyed with your management, Ooni begs OAU students
By: Sodiq Oyeleke
The Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ojaja II, has urged students of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife not to be annoyed with their administrators over closure and suspension of Students' Union activities.
The king said this during his arrival at The Land of Oduduwa Summit held on Saturday in OAU, Osun State.
Though, initially directed to proceed to the hall by his guards, the Ooni insisted on addressing OAU students who were holding a congratulatory banner.
Adeyeye, who expressed satisfaction with the conduct of the students, prayed that they would succeed in life.
While hailing OAU as 'Oba Awon University', he said, "It's God that puts me in the position of power. God wants to honour the youths that is why He puts me there.
"God is the doer of all things. I am pleased with the letter you addressed to me, you have not embarrassed Ile-Ife. I was once a student and I understand how you feel. Don't be annoyed with your administrators, it is usual that rancour will occur. Thanks for your co-operation."
It would be recalled that authorities of the OAU had declared an indefinite mid-semester break after a day lecture boycott and peaceful protest by students.
The OAU management also suspended all Students' Union activities indefinitely.
Though, no reason has been officially given by the OAU management for its actions , it was gathered that 'the break' and suspension of SU activities were to prevent students from staging a protest during the coronation of new Ooni of ife, Oba Enitan Adeyeye and convocation ceremony of the institution.
Among the dignitaries expected at coronation are Queen of England, President Muhammad Buhari and about 20 governors among others.
But the 'break' and suspension of the union activities were greeted by condemnations from different personalities, associations and organisations.
According a press statement by the OAU Students' Union, their agitation was to demand for constant and uninterrupted supply of electricity and water; renovation and re-fumigation of all halls of residence, laboratories and lecture theatres.
Others demands are proper funding of the education sector in Nigeria; and reinstatement of Olawale Owolabi.
It was learnt that Owolabi, popularly referred to as Ogunruku, had joined the protest against increment of acceptance fee from N2,000 to N20,000 in 2011, when his admission was terminated.
OAU students in their last congress expressed worries over the institution's closure, noting that nothing warranted the closure of the University under whatever guise.
The students in a statement jointly signed by OAU Students' Union President and Secretary-General, Omotayo Akande and Oluwaseun Oketooto respectively, said, "Information reaching us also indicates that the closure of the university is predicted on the speculation of the authorities that the union intends to disrupt convocation and coronation ceremonies.
"We wish to state in clear terms that our Union has never intended or resolved to carry out any of such activities as disruption of convocation and coronation ceremonies.
"It is the believe of the leadership that the authorities should not put students lives at risk because of a rumour that has no basis in reality.The University should recall that a similar closure of the University in July 15 led to the death of more than two of our colleagues who were victims of fatal auto crashes.
"We have no doubt that closure of the university under whatever guise may be accompanied by fatal consequences."
Responding to the demands of the students, the university management in a release signed by the Registrar, Dotun Awoyemi, appealed to the students to desist from any action that may lead to the elongation of th academic calendar or outright cancellation of one academic session.
Awoyemi said, "The reliability of these services (water and electricity) is beyond the control of the University and should be considered in the context of national situation.
"The halls of residence were fumigated within last one month. The students will have to vacate their Halls of Residence and academic activities will have to be suspended, to enable the University to meet this demand.
"The funding of education sector is beyond the purview of OAU. The SU may wish to direct this demand to the appropriate quarters and provide the Matriculation number of Olawale Ogunruku to assist the veracity of the demand of the union."
Written by NEWSTRAWL ONLINE UPDATE
Sodiq Oyeleke is a Media, Human Resources, Project Management and Public Relations Practitioner
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