Yinka Kolawole in Osogbo
In order to forestall total breakdown of law and order and curtail acts of brigandage among the students populace, the authorities of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, have suspended all activities of the University’s Students Union until further notice.
A statement by the Public Relations Officer of the University, Abiodun Olarewaju, stated that incessant fighting and unruly behaviour during their congresses and the recalcitrant attitude of their leadership have made it inevitable for the university management to suspend their activities.
Within a short period of its existence after its reinstatement, the students union has over time manifested misdemeanors that are unacceptable within academic community.
Apart from the fighting between the Vice President and the Director of Socials in which head butts and stabbing with broken bottles were freely used, the supporters of the president beat up the speaker on June 29 and 30, while the speaker’s supporters, in retaliation, beat up the president on September 15.
The management also condemned in strong terms the forceful release of students under investigation from Police custody on October 6, and the unwarranted vandalisation of peoples vehicles particularly that of the Ekiti State shapter of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) and members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW).
The statement also frown at unfounded rumour of fees increase and fabricated threat of invasion by cultists in order to deceive and falsely gain acceptance amongst the students populace to precipitate crisis, capable of disrupting the academic activities of the university and recent serious fighting, open fracas, at the meeting of the union where the president of the students union was brutally assaulted and which, if not properly and promptly addressed, could lead to fatal consequences.
In the light of the above, the university administration, at its emergency meeting held on November 6, came to an inevitable conclusion that activities of the students union be suspended until further notice.
The university administration hereby enjoins all students to go about their lawful activities unhindered while the suspension persists.
