OAU Transport Palava: Students’ Union Issues a 72-hour Lecture Boycott

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              Fawas Adedeji and Michael Olawuyi

Following the “one week observatory mode” review of the new transport policy deliberations at the GreatIfe Students’ Union Congress, held on Friday, 9 April at Fajuyi Hall Cafe, the union has taken proactive actions towards the grievances of the students.

The information about the lecture boycott was contained in an official release by the Union, declaring a 72 hour boycott of all lectures, effective from tomorrow, Tuesday, 14 April, as a direct response to the “severe conditions” imposed by the university’s new transport system on its students.

There had been critical opprobrium of Union matters on the new transport crisis, its uncertainties and frustrations by the GreatIfe students, before the Union eventually decided to call the management to order to yield to the complaints of the affected students, by providing more adequate transport facilities to cater for the students on and off campus respectively. 

The release, as signed by signed by the Union President, Adelani Oluwatodimu (ITABI),  and General-Secretary, Habeeb Oke, the objections raised by the students are stated below:

1. Inadequate coverage of the campus, persistent shortage of the operational tricycles and buses, overcrowding and discomfort, insufficient drivers. 

2. The union made it clear that the academic activities will only resume when these following four demands are met: 

3. Expansion of the transport's fleet: provision of more vehicles to cater for the needs of over 35,000 members of the university. 

4. Reinstatement of the former transport system: immediate reintroduction of the existing system until the first demand is met. 

5. Guaranteed quality service: a commitment to proper implementation that ensures the new transport system is not just available, but affordable, adequate, and reliable for all students. 

6. Regard For Union's Leadership: full consultation with the Students’ Union leadership before any major changes to campus transportation.


Moving on, the Students' Union further stated that the 72-hour boycott serves as a cooling-off period for the management to take proper actions. However, there is more to come, as this is only the first phase of their agitation.

The Students’ Union leadership finally urged the generality of the Great Ife students to comply with this “72-hour lecture boycott,” maintaining that their support and steadfastness is sacrosanct and remained their “greatest strength.” Likewise, they called on all concerned Students’ Union stakeholders to help support the Union in the face of struggle to ensure their victory

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