Fallen Tree Branches Continue to Obstruct Health Centre–‘As E Dey Hot’ Route Weeks After Heavy Rainfall

By Omotola Lydia

Following the heavy rainfall that befell the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) campus in the early hours of Thursday, April 17th, 2025, several tree branches felled by strong winds continue to obstruct the route between the Health Centre area and the popular ‘As E Dey Hot’ location.

More than two weeks after the incident, the massive tree debris remains uncleared by school authorities, causing significant inconvenience and forcing many students to reroute or even climb over the obstructing branches to pass through the area.

Fallen Tree Between Health Centre and As E Dey Hot

The blocked path is a major short route for students from halls of residence such as Alumni, Postgraduate, Mozambique, and Angola Halls heading towards the academic area. The route, previously a convenient shortcut for many hostel residents, has now become a source of daily frustration with students expressing concern at the delayed response by the university management. 

Speaking with OAUPeeps, students shared their experiences and dissatisfaction with the delayed response."I went to the chemistry lab for a practical and had to hurry back to Mozambique Hall to get my sneakers," recounted Busayo, a Nursing student. "I had forgotten that the branch had blocked the road and mistakenly passed there. I was so pissed and angry; I had to turn around and take the longer road."

Another student, Phoebe, also from Mozambique Hall, expressed similar frustrations: "It’s not easy to pass there if I'm not wearing trousers. When I wear a tight dress, I have to raise my legs to cross the fallen branch. If you're passing there, you have to make sure you dust your legs afterwards because there are ants on the branch. Otherwise, you have to pass the long road."

An anonymous student added: "The fact that a branch has been there for weeks without action makes the environment look ugly. I have to raise my legs awkwardly when passing. I think the management should urgently do something about it."

It would be recalled that ACJOAU earlier reported how the same heavy rainfall removed roofing sheets at Alumni Hall, with renovation efforts immediately following. However, despite that quick intervention in the Hall of Residence, no visible action has been taken on the blocked pathway.

As of press time, the debris remains uncleared, leaving students to continue to call on the school management to urgently clear the obstruction and restore free movement along the route.

Students Lament Bird Poop and Dilapidation in Oduduwa Lecture Theaters

By Omotola Lydia

The current gory state of the Oduduwa Lecture Theater One and Two (ODLT 1 & 2), where students once comfortably had classes, has now become a mess. Students are forced to take classes in a dilapidated structure characterized by numerous stains of bird poop on the tables meant for seating.

Speaking with OAUPeeps, Oyindamola Adams, a student of Biology Education who had just concluded a class at the lecture theater, said, “The population of the class is more than the number of good chairs. A large number of the seats were broken and a lot of us had to sit on the floor. Most of the seats and tables that are not broken are stained with bird poop and students avoid sitting there.”

Seats at ODLT Lettered with Bird Poop

Sanyaolu Oluwatimileyin, a 200-level student of Family Nutrition and Consumer Science, expressed her displeasure, saying, “The bird poop has stained my cloth once and it makes the whole place smelly and irritating. The fans are not working too.”

This bird infestation and the resulting droppings have become a recent challenge due to the poor state of maintenance of the lecture theater. A glance across the venue reveals several broken windows with no nets, doors that do not close, and exposed nests, making the building porous for birds and contributing to its deteriorated condition.

Broken Windows at ODLT

Students are now left with no option but to take classes in a space defaced by bird droppings, which poses environmental and health hazards. ODLT serves numerous faculties including, but not limited to, the Faculty of Science, Faculty of Arts, Faculty of Technology, and Faculty of Education. This means a large student population is exposed daily to bird poop, thereby increasing the risk of contracting diseases.

According to a report by Bird Barrier, bird droppings pose several transmittable diseases including histoplasmosis, candidiasis, cryptococcosis, psittacosis, and St. Louis encephalitis. Some of these diseases, like candidiasis, have been linked to fatal outcomes in humans.

Beyond disease transmission, bird droppings also harbor ectoparasites such as bed bugs, chicken mites, mosquitoes, and yellow mealworms. This comes as a significant concern for the school community, which has been increasing fumigation efforts to combat bed bug infestations. In 2017, Channels TV reported a widespread bed bug invasion in the halls of residence at OAU—a reoccurrence that now feels possible with the current state of ODLT.

Although the university recently announced the renovation of the Oduduwa Hall and Amphitheatre, which is already underway, nothing was said about the current state of the lecture theater sitting right beneath.

Fadele Nifemi, a 200-level student of Industrial Chemistry, reacted saying, “I was surprised to see that the amphitheater is being renovated but ODLT which is directly beneath it is neglected. The school management should do better please. We do not deserve to be taking classes in such an environment.”

Amphitheatre Undergoing Renovation

However, students are urgimg the Students’ Union and the university management to listen to their complaints and take swift action to make the lecture theaters convenient for learning.

Ademola Ayomide, a student of the English Department, added, “The bats poop is dried up so scraping it off the table would be good and a bit of soap and water would help too.”

OAU AMPHITHEATRE UNDERGOES PARTIAL RENOVATIONS AHEAD OF CONVOCATION CEREMONY

By Jesuloba Akano

Renovation works have been ongoing at the Obafemi Awolowo University Amphitheatre following its closure in May. The 5,000-capacity amphitheatre, used for lectures and social events, was shut down after part of its roof partially collapsed during a torrential rainfall. The incident occurred during a SER 001 – Use of English lecture, a core special elective course for freshmen, leaving several students with minor injuries and two others with major injuries.

Since its closure last session, most lectures originally held in the amphitheatre have been rescheduled to smaller, less convenient venues. Speaking with a Course Representative for Political Science and a Part 2 student, David, he explained that the collapse significantly affected a course in his department offered across three faculties last session. According to him, lectures had to be shifted to early morning hours, causing logistical challenges in finding adequate space for the large number of students.

"Last semester, when I was still a Part 1 student, the collapsed roof meant we had to resort to 7 am–8 am classes three times a week at the 1,000-seater lecture theatre," he lamented.

OAUPeeps can confirm that most classes usually scheduled for the amphitheatre have been relocated to other venues due to the ongoing renovations. However, David noted that as a Part 2 student, his departmental courses—comprising 5 out of 7 of his current courses—now have smaller class sizes, making alternative venues sufficient.

"I'm not being affected by the renovation now because the highest number of attendees for any of my departmental courses is 250 students. We can easily use other lecture theatres like ODLT 1 & 2, FBLT, EDB 317, or ICAN LT," he added.

When contacted about the timeline for the renovations, the institution's Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Olarewaju, declined to provide specific details. "All I can tell you is that you have seen it is being renovated, and you can observe how it progresses," he stated.

However, the OAUPeeps correspondent spoke with the project's engineer, who clarified that the current construction work is not a full-scale renovation. According to her, the goal is to make the amphitheatre fit for use during the upcoming convocation ceremony, with comprehensive renovations set to commence afterwards.

As per the proposed academic calendar, the convocation ceremony is scheduled to occur between December 11 and 14.

Meanwhile, OAUPeeps can confirm that one of the students injured during the roof collapse, Amubieya David, has fully resumed school. According to an anonymous source, the other injured student has also fully recovered but may not be returning to OAU, though reasons for this decision remain undisclosed at the time of this report.

‘Operation Feed OAU Students Daily’: Great Ife Students’ Union Launches Free Meal Initiative

 By Odekunle Ayomide

In a bid to alleviate hunger and ensure academic focus among students, the Great Ife Students’ Union has unveiled the Operation Feed OAU Students Daily initiative. Spearheaded by the union's Welfare Officer, the program launched on Monday, November 25, 2024, aims to provide free meals to students during these challenging times when many struggle to meet basic needs.

The initiative, which aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 2 (Zero Hunger), reflects the union’s commitment to student welfare and global standards.

In an interview with an OAUPeeps correspondent, A.Z., one of the contacts listed on the project’s flyer, explained that the initiative was born out of the current economic hardship in the country.
“Our target is Zero Hunger, SDG Goal 2. The major reason for this initiative is the economic situation of Nigeria,” he said.

To ensure the program's smooth implementation, the welfare officer and his team collaborate with campus food vendors. The vendors have agreed to participate by providing meals in exchange for increased publicity and advertising for their businesses.
“We reached out to different food vendors on campus, and most of them responded positively. Each vendor specified how many students they could feed at their convenience. It was a collaborative agreement without any compulsion,” A.Z. explained.

How the Initiative Works

Students interested in benefiting from the program have been directed to register online by providing details such as their name, department, faculty, matriculation number, phone number, and reasons for applying for the initiative.

While registration is ongoing, A.Z. revealed that there is a provisional allocation of 5,000 tickets to be distributed to registered students once registration closes.
“Each ticket is uniquely designed to prevent duplication. Every ticket has a specific number and signature. Once a ticket is signed, the corresponding name will be marked on the list, ensuring individuals cannot collect more than one ticket, even if they use multiple email addresses,” he explained.

To further enhance transparency, face recognition technology and other verification methods are being employed.
“We have a committee divided into teams for publicity, design, confirmation, verification, and slot allocation. This ensures the program is credible and benefits those who truly need it. That’s why we included a section for applicants to state their reasons for applying,” A.Z. added.

Further speaking, he explained that the union has planned a rotational schedule with vendors to avoid overburdening them. A.Z. emphasized that the initiative also benefits vendors by promoting their brands across campus.

“For instance, if a vendor offers five slots per week, we will ensure the schedule does not overwhelm them. The publicity they gain will also boost their businesses, making this a win-win arrangement,” A.Z. explained.

Student Reactions

The initiative has received widespread applause from students. Olamide, a Dramatic Arts student, described the program as “a splendid idea.” “This initiative helps us focus on our studies without worrying about feeding,” she said.

Another student, Tofunmi, highlighted its significance, stating, “Many students face food challenges. This initiative allows us to focus on our studies without worrying about what to eat. It also ensures we stay healthy and energized to carry out daily activities.”

Jesudarasimi, another student, praised the effort behind the initiative. “To a certain extent, this is a good initiative. Considering the economic situation, it will go a long way in solving problems for some individuals,” she said.

Grace, a Law student, commended the union for the thoughtful initiative. “When I saw it, I was impressed. This is great for less-privileged students who struggle to make ends meet. I have a friend whose parents can’t provide for her adequately, and this will help her a lot,” she said. However, Grace expressed scepticism about whether the initiative could cater to every less-privileged student on campus.

Despite her approval, Grace does not plan to register for the program. “I live with my parents and don’t need it because I’m feeding from home,” she explained.

OAU Hostels Exhausted, Freshers Decry Accommodation Crisis

By Heritage Ayoola

Newly admitted students at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) have raised concerns over the difficulty of securing accommodation on campus. On Monday, November 11, 2024, the university opened its online portal for students to ballot for bed spaces in the hostels. However, within minutes, all spaces were filled, leaving many freshmen without a place to stay. This incident follows a similar occurrence on Monday, November 4, when the portal was opened for balloting, yet most freshmen who tried to ballot were unable to secure accommodation.

Accommodation Crisis: A Recurring Challenge

Accommodation issues on campus are not new. For years, the university has struggled to increase its accommodation capacity. However, with the growing number of admitted students and rising housing and transportation costs in Ile-Ife, the demand for limited on-campus spaces has intensified

The Great Ife Students’ Union recently tried to ease the burden by releasing a review of transport fares within the campus. Despite this, students staying off-campus still spend a significant amount on daily transportation. For instance, those in Lagere spend ₦600 daily, while students in Mayfair spend ₦500. Over a week, transport costs can add up to ₦3,000, which is a major expense for many students.

Current Transportation Fares By Bus on OAU Campus

In August, the Association of Campus Journalists, OAU (ACJOAU), reported a hike in accommodation fees for hostels in the Maintenance area near the school. While the university has also increased on-campus accommodation fees from ₦30,000 to ₦50,000, the revised fees are still significantly lower than off-campus alternatives, with many students preferring on-campus accommodation to save on housing, transportation, and security costs.

Freshmen Share Their Ordeal

Speaking with one of the affected freshmen, Ibukunola, she lamented her unsuccessful attempts at securing accommodation despite trying twice. “I tried to ballot in the first week of November when the portal was opened, but it was displaying ‘hostel exhausted.’ The second time, I was on the portal around 9:57 a.m., but it was already showing ‘accommodation exhausted’ and logged me out a few minutes after 10:00 a.m.,” she said.

This unpleasant situation has made attending classes challenging for her. She further lamented, “Lectures have started in my department, and I am currently managing in PG Hall. An ultimatum was given that we should vacate the hostel by Friday, November 15. I am tired. They are supposed to make everything easier for freshers, but this is not good at all. Imagine someone coming from a far place and not having a place to stay.”

Jeremiah, another freshman, decried the stress of the entire balloting process. He described it as “an entire waste of time.” According to him, “I missed the first balloting, but during the second, the portal showed ‘accommodation exhausted’ by 10:01 a.m.” Unable to secure on-campus accommodation, Jeremiah now stays at Road 7, spending up to ₦900 daily on transportation. He also highlighted the unproductive hours spent in shuttle queues after lectures. “If there is no car and I have to trek, it affects my academics. The first time I had to trek the distance, I got to school very late. But when you don’t find a hostel on campus, what will you do?”

The plight of Emmanuel, another freshman, is slightly different. She was unable to pay her full school fees, which disqualified her from balloting for accommodation. “When I went to the hostel to meet the porters, they told me I cannot use half payment to ballot for a hostel,” she said. Having already resumed to school, Emmanuel is now forced to rent accommodation in town, which costs her ₦500 daily on transportation. “I will continue to manage the situation. I cannot participate in any other ballot process since I have not paid in full,” she added.

Samuel, a freshman in Surveying and Geoinformatics, described the balloting process as “tougher than he thought.” Despite paying his school fees in full and logging into the portal promptly at 10:00 a.m., he was met with the message, “male hostel exhausted.” Currently, Samuel stays in Mayfair with a friend and lamented how transportation expenses drain his finances. “Of the money they give me, transport fare takes everything away,” he said.

What Next for Freshers?

This ongoing accommodation problem is making life difficult for freshers who are trying to adjust to university life and attend classes. As the semester continues, students are hoping the school management will come up with a better solution to reduce their struggles.

OAU Peeps News Agency Welcomes New Editor-in-Chief

By Adegboyega Ifeoluwa

In a significant development for OAU Peeps News Agency, Ogunlana Klistivivi has been appointed as the new Editor-in-Chief for the 2023/2024 academic session. This change follows a successful tenure by Adegboyega Ifeoluwa, also known in the community as IfelawPR, a Part 4 student of the English Department, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State.

Klistivivi, also a Part 4 student in the Department of Medicine & Surgery, Faculty of Clinical Sciences, fetches a wealth of experience to this pivotal role. His journey in campus journalism has been marked by significant contributions to OAU Peeps, and the Association of Campus Journalists (ACJOAU). 

His efforts have not gone unnoticed; he was recognized with three prestigious awards at the recent ACJOAU Dinner and Award Night, 2024. (ACJOAU Awards night, 2024) These accolades reflect his commitment to excellence and his passion for journalism, both of which will undoubtedly serve him

well in his new position.

In a heartfelt statement regarding this transition, Mr. David Adetula; the founder of OAUPeeps, expressed deep appreciation for Ifeoluwa's leadership. “Thank you so much for your time leading OAU Peeps, Ifeoluwa. I wish you the very best in your endeavours.” He also took a moment to extend his warm wishes to Klistivivi, acknowledging the significant responsibilities that accompany the role of Editor-in-Chief. This transition marks not just a change in leadership but also an opportunity for growth and innovation within the agency.

As Klistivivi steps into this essential position, expectations are high. He is anticipated to infuse renewed ideas and vision into OAU Peeps, ensuring that the agency continues to serve as a vital source of information for the OAU community. His leadership will be crucial in navigating the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead as he seeks to uphold the agency's mission of delivering timely and relevant news.

For any inquiries or communications related to OAU Peeps, Klistivivi can be reached directly at editor@oaupeeps.com.

With this new appointment, OAU Peeps News Agency reaffirms its commitment to fostering an informed and engaged community at Obafemi Awolowo University, continuing its legacy of journalistic integrity and excellence.

The Great Ife Students’ Union Electoral Committee Plans Hostel-to-hostel Engagement to Increase Voter Turnout

 

By Ogunlana Klistivivi 

On Wednesday, June 19, Ogúnperí Taofeek Olálékan, the Electoral Chairman of the Great Ife Students’ Union Electoral Commission, revealed a range of innovative strategies to enhance the transparency, fairness, and efficiency of the forthcoming elections. This announcement was made during a press conference at the Student Union Building TV room, intended to update students on election preparations, guidelines, voter education, and address critical questions.

Among the new strategies is the introducing of a hostel-to-hostel campaign to encourage more students to vote. Additionally, notices on faculty boards will serve to remind and motivate students to participate, thereby increasing voters turnout. 

The committee also pledges implementation of faculty-specific oversight, involving agents, security personnel, and the press to ensure thorough monitoring and transparency during the electoral process.

Olálékan stressed the significance of transparency and credibility, noting that the Central Executives Council (CEC) election will be conducted over 48 hours, with results to be announced on Thursday, June 27, at the SUB TV room.

The commission is dedicated to strictly following the election schedule. Electoral commissioners will arrive at polling units early to ensure the election starts and ends as planned. The Chairman also assured ongoing engagement with the press throughout the electoral process.

To prevent electoral violence and misconduct, the commission plans to increase the number of ad-hoc members and security personnel. 

Furthermore, to ensure proper logistics and adequate ballot boxes, the commission will use a tutorial list compilation to determine the distribution of electoral materials based on the total number of students per faculty.

After the election, a review of the electoral process will be conducted to identify issues and make recommendations for future committees, ensuring continuous improvement in the electoral system.

African Liberty Writing Fellowship calls for applications for 2024/2025.

 

“The African Liberty Writing Fellowship program is a year-long program designed to train young Africans with career interests in academia, media, public policy, or any other critical-and-analytical-writing-related career in opinion article writing. We have helped our fellows get featured in leading African and non-Africa media outlets. You may visit our Media Hits page to see what fellows published in the last four cohorts. 

Accepted applicants will complete a five-week mandatory online training. The top candidates from the five-week training will be admitted as African Liberty writing fellows. The five-week training starts on May 21, 2024 and ends on June 18, 2024. The writing fellowship starts on July 8, 2024 and ends on July 8, 2025.  

BENEFITS: 

• Access to expert instructors.

• 12-month writing fellowship.

• Get published in Africa’s top newspapers.

• Monthly stipend for top contributors.

• Opportunity for TV and radio features. 

ELIGIBILITY: 

An applicant has to be enrolled in, or must have graduated from, an African institution of higher learning. Or, be an African pursuing higher education outside the continent”

APPLICATION: 

Visit the application page and complete the application form here. 

Applications should be submitted on or before April 30, 2024. Applications submitted after the deadline will not be considered”

For more information, visit the African Liberty website.

Students Lament over the Limited Time to Prepare For Tests, Projects and Exams

 

By Oluwasegun Akintunde

Is it safe to say that lecturers across the faculties and departments on the OAU campus are intentionally treating students' academics with levity, or is it just too much workload on them that has made it seem like they are stretching themselves and their students thin to finish their syllabuses for the semester? Or is it the unavailability of venues for the said classes and exams that's the issue?

Students of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, have voiced their grievances over the need to attend lectures, submit various assignments, and present papers while preparing for ongoing tests. Traditionally, tests have been scheduled days before the D-day to enable students to prepare well.

Various students testified that having lectures and tests simultaneously means limited time to adequately prepare because lecturers often aim to finish the course outline without giving sufficient explanation on specific topics.

A.B, a part 2 student in the Department of Accounting, mentioned that the tests he will be doing are 'ON GOD,' emphasizing that calculating the workload feels overwhelming due to lecturers not providing breathing space to cover past notes.

He opines that the school is trying to balance the calendar at the detriment of students' results. He also complained about the stress of rushing to school only to find out classes have been canceled. He said, 'Lecturers are always canceling classes with joy but are always ready to set questions for us during tests/exams.'

A final year student in the Department of Public Administration stated that they are not stressed in some aspects but feel pressured by assignments and presentations. The project alone is a source of stress, as its acceptance depends on the supervisor's mood.

He emphasized, 'WITHOUT YOUR PROJECT, YOU CAN'T GRADUATE BECAUSE IT'S A SIX-UNIT COURSE.' To have breathing space in this school requires focus—shifting focus and knowing what's important will help students cope. Already, students have had to cope with unpleasant conditions, including bad network and electricity.

A part 2 student in the Department of Mechanical Engineering lamented having four tests this week for core courses, requiring significant attention and preparation except for Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Faruk, a part 2 student in the Department of Economics, mentioned having four tests in the outgoing week, leading him to stay overnight on campus for four consecutive nights, adversely affecting him mentally and health-wise.

What can be done about these issues on the part of lecturers, school management, and students?