OAU Students Join in the Protest against Rape

By Yusuf Qudus Olaniyi

With regard to the raving issue of rape, a body of concerned students of OAU as they called themselves converged at the campus gate. This convergence was to protest the persistent cases of rape in the society. This was spurred by the unfortunate rape and murder of a UNIBEN student  100level student; Vera Uwaila Omozuwa.

The students who were still in Ile-Ife converged at 12pm at the campus gate where they were briefed by the organizers. Students present were with their face mask as it was part of the requirement given the current pandemic situation the world is battling.

The students started their walk from the campus gate down to Ibadan road where they headed for Mayfair which will be the first stop, on their way they sang song in solidarity condemning rape and demanding justice for rape victims, they also carried placards with different inscriptions also condemning the evil act of rape.

When they got to Mayfair they were greeted by the friendly men of the Nigerian police force who in return were briefed about the activities that lie ahead. The policemen resorted that they will act as their guide so that unscrupulous elements will not hijack the peaceful protest to cause perpetrate evil. With the men of the Nigerian police force and in the company of some paramilitary agency they proceeded to  to the next stop which was Crown FM 101.5 studio at Eleyele ,they got a warm welcome from the Manager who  received their petition and also promised to grant them the avenue to speak and also educate the listeners about rape and its consequences.

The students entered the buses that conveyed them there and also headed to the palace of the Ooni of Ife . The Secretary to the Ooni was not available but their petition was received with promise to be submitted to him on his return.

Still in the company of the men of the Police force and boys scout, they proceeded to the police station at Moore where they submitted their final petition , after which they headed for their initial convergence point at the campus gate. The security agency saw them off to Mayfair where they bade themselves goodbye.

It was a peaceful and fruitful protest as awareness was being raised concerning rape. They students were able to show that with unity and determination not cause in unachievable given they fact that they were not initially given the green light to proceed with the protest by the area commander, at the end it all ended in their favour as their aim was achieved.