Eviction Directive: Awo Hall Occupants' Reactions, as University's management Clears the Air

         John Alabi

The recent development which arise in Obafemi Awolowo Hall Residence last night, it was revealed by the Hall executives of the proposed renovation of Block 7 and Block 8, and occupants of these concerned blocks are instructed to vacate their rooms between Friday, 24 April and Monday, 27 April. 

This announcement got intense reactions from these affected students and every member of Awo Hall, and a peaceful demonstration was organised last night as well to pass a message that the school management's move is unacceptable.

To further gather views and opinions of the occupants especially the occupants of Block 7 and 8 , an impromptu meeting was called at Awo cafe tonight where the occupants of this Hall of Residence met this move by the school management's as insensitive and an oppressive move that doesn't offer a room for dialogue and prior notice. 

Taking into account how students welfarism has been neglected and students well being is now being toyed with. Occupants complained about the rooms are choked with too many occupants from the start and accommodating affected occupants of Block 7 and 8 as impossible and unacceptable.

A peaceful demonstration started from Awo cafe down to the Student Union Building last night, with hundreds of Awo occupants protesting against the School's harsh and imposing approach in carrying a renovation.

  They made a resolution that the protest was organised to ensure Dean of Students Affairs come down to Awolowo Hall of Residence to address all Awo Occupants.

Students' Views

In an interview with an occupant of Block 7, Victor Adeoye, he explained the move by the University's Management as 'absurd and out of point ', explaining that when he made payment for bed space on the school's portal at the beginning of the session, and the agreement was for a whole session's occupancy not just a semester. While speaking, he said the school management make decisions and they expect students to just to comply, adding the same move was adopted last academic session for the renovation of Block 5.

" What do they mean that we should vacate, and they are also giving us ultimatum, I heard between now and next week Monday, if we don't leave, it going to be another issue entirely." He said

Fikayo Adeife, also an occupant of Block 7, a part 1 Law student highlighted one major effect associated with this impromptu directive, which is reduction in the amount of time he dedicate to his studies, because of the disruption of his daily routines and schedules. He further stated that this disruption would lead to stress especially, when it gets a searching for another available space to move into within the hall or outside.

Speaking with another occupants of Block 8 who requested anonymity, He commended the University's management efforts to provide a conducive and comfort space for occupants, however the way of approach is wrong and a renovation when a semester is still running is completely unacceptable.

 He described the University's management as "self centred and biased" decision based on the fact that there has not been a prior notice for renovation and it's very unfair to these affected occupants. 

Similarly, one of the affected students, Isreal revealed when he heard the information from other occupants, he was confused and frustrated stating that this is his first time staying on campus, adding that the Management's decision does not consider the interest and convenience of the students in mind. At least they should be considerate that we have almost 300 occupants in both affected blocks, how do they want to cope and expect other available blocks to accommodate these affected students. While suggesting that the University's management to exercise patience to wait till the end of the session before carrying out a renovation.

When reaching out to the Hall Chairman, Lateef Omotayo, he has not given an official response yet, however, he confirmed his stance is same as the occupants' stance, stating that he doesn't have a personal stance on this issue. He also revealed that a meeting is scheduled to take place by 9pm at Awo Cafe in the evening between the University's management and the Residents of Awolowo Hall of Residence to work out a peaceful resolution.

The Dean of Students Affairs, John Odedire revealed to ACJOAU that the whole situation was as a result of a misconstrued information by the Hall Executives. "that was a misconstrued information, we sent for the representatives of the Hall Excos and we told him that the renovation of Block 7 & 8 will start next week, and the reason why the renovation is coming up now is we are not in control of the money it's a project that's supposed to have come up before  and the work is time -bound" He said 

 He clarified that it was discussed that Block 7 Occupants should spread out other blocks in the Hall of Residence, till the renovation for Block 7 is completed. The same method will be used for Block 8. He stated that the reason for the sudden notice is because whenever funds are released by Federal Government, that particular project involved must be executed within a  given time frame.

"We didn't tell students to leave because it's supposed to be a win win for both sides, management and occupants, we want you to enjoy the new innovation and we don't want to miss the intervention opportunity from the Federal Government. That was the information we gave him" He added 

 He revealed that the overall time span for the renovation for both blocks is between 4-6 weeks for the whole renovation project to be completed.

He urged students to be patient and cooperates with this proposed renovation because it's for the greater good of the Hall of Residence and the University's management. He concluded by giving a strong assurance and confirmation that the proposed renovation won't exceed this started time limit, that students should also monitor the timing.