OAU management orders school closure

 

At 7:00pm on Saturday, 1st October, a notice released by the Public Relations Officer of Obafemi Awolowo University started making the rounds - The school had been closed down; the swearing-in of the newly elected Students' Union officials had been put on hold; and students were to vacate the halls of residence before 12:00pm the next day.

This came some hours after students came out en masse to protest the death of colleague, Adesina Aishat who died due to the alleged negligence of the health workers in the institution's health centre. 

Many students expressed their uncertainty about the new development. They did not know whether to believe the news or not. However, a few of them packed their bags and were even seen leaving the halls that very night. Later that night, the printed copy of the circular signed by the school registrar, Mrs Omisule was released. 

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This action made the intention of the University governing body very clear to the students. However, the news was sudden and the notice, equally short. The unfairness of the decision was being debated many. Meanwhile, a candle light procession was held for Aishat. Soon after the news spread, the students resisted the order. Student activists went round all the halls of residence to spread the awareness that no one was going home the next day. However, most students had secretly called friends and family staying in town to make arrangements for a temporary stay. Early the next morning, students were seen with their bags balanced on their heads and heaved in their hands.

 Union activists sprung into action. Haphazard roadblocks were set up from tires, tree branches, planks and even a mattress. Buses were restricted from entering campus. Many students braved the sweltering sun and began to trek to the campus gate. Even private vehicles conveying students were stopped. All exit roads were blocked. Still, students trekked. 

By midday, another circular went round, this time from the student union — the protest had been suspended. By that time, the stream of students pouring out from the school had thinned out to a trickle. Some still remained in the hostels, either because they were stranded with no money to go anywhere, no one to stay with or just in an attempt to resist the order.

The PRO-elect of the Student Union announced that electricity and water had been restored and that students could remain in their various hostels. Upon inquiry from residents, however, this information was not true. Whether the Student Union had been wrongly informed or deceived by the authorities to make such announcement is not clear. But it had its effect, the protesters dispersed. Buses were allowed to move in and out of campus but did not go beyond the bus stop because of the roadblock that remained in front of the Student Union building. 

Bikes instead conveyed students from the halls. Some student activists remained at strategic points making sure no okada man extorted the students by charging exorbitant prices. Few students remained in the halls, mainly guys who were probably stranded. The school was deserted the next day.

Most students remained in Ife with the hope that the management would rescind the order by the following Monday or during the week. That, sadly, was not the case as academic activities (exams) are still suspended in the institution until further notice. 

ICON MOFE