Commissioning of Ken Saro-Wiwa Students' Union Building

 By Ife Lawence

The management of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State. On Saturday; November 12, 2022, commissioned the newly remodelled Students' Union Building. According to the record, it was tagged "Ken Saro-Wiwa Building" after the demise of Kenule Beeson Saro-Wiwa: A Nigerian writer, television producer, and environmental activist...

The management of Obafemi Awolowo University led by Vice-Chancellor: Prof. Adebayo Simeon Bamire was privileged to receive numerous dignitaries at the occasion. Among the dignitaries are the Vice-Chancellor, Dean of Students' Affairs, Vice Dean, General Leo Irabor (Chief of Defence Staff) and his associates, among other University Officials.

The programme which was anchored by the University's Public Relations Officer (P.R.O); Abiodun Olarewaju commenced the occasion with the national anthem, followed by the Great Ife anthem. 

As the programme progressed, the distinguished guests were invited to the tables, starting with Vice-Chancellor: Professor Adebayo Simeon Bamire, followed by the Chief of Defence Staff; General Leo Irabor who occurs to be a prominent alumnus of Great Ife. Also, the dean of Students' Affairs; Professor Isiaka Aransi, followed by the Great Ife Students' Union President; Olayiwola Folahan, popularly and politically known as Reform. The Anchor: Mr Abiodun Olarewaju the University's Public Relations Officer, acknowledged the presence of Great Ife F.M, C.S.O, Correspondents of Tribune, the associates of General Leo Irabor, the Students' Union and other dignitaries that were at the occasion. After many introductions by dignitaries, the University's P.R.O, inferred the programme as the first of its kind.

The Students' Union P.R.O, in the person of Taofeek Olalekan Ogunperi, popularly and politically known as TAO, after being invited recognized the Vice-Chancellor of the University in person of Prof. Adebayo Simeon Bamire, General Leo Irabor (Chief of Defence Staff), Dean of Students' Affairs Prof. Isiaka Aransi, among other dignitaries. 

Great Ife is known for its catchphrase "Viva Aluta" The Students' Union P.R.O began with the recognition of comrades, starting with past union leaders: Adeleke Olorunwa "Goddey"; Kazeem Olalekan Israel "Gani"; Farombi Oluwaseun "Babafaros"; Ajayi Oluwafemi "F.M Castro"; Adebiyi Fashoyin "Frizzy"; Agbogunleri Oluwaseun " Ghandi" etc

The University's P.R.O invited the Chief of Imam (OAU Central Mosque) for the Opening prayer before the welcome address by the Vice-Chancellor.

The Vice-Chancellor; Professor Adebayo Simeon Bamire, in his speech acknowledged all dignitaries, beginning with General Leo Irabor, He exhorted him for being out of his busy schedule to make immense services to the University. And, for choosing from Abuja to attend this very special occasion. He further facilitated him in doing such a tremendous history.

He, however, encouraged the students to constantly look back to the University for development.

"On behalf of the council, Senate, staff and the entire students of Obafemi Awolowo University hereby appreciates those who have contributed financially, and materially to the general renovation of the students' Union Building ( Ken Saro-Wiwa Building), thereby making it a word class. May the Lord God Almighty continue to enrich the purse of the contributors. We wish all those who have come to grace this occasion a journey of mercy back to their different destinations" Says the Vice-Chancellor; Prof Simeon Adebayo Bamire.

General Leo Irabor (Chief of Defence Staff) was, however, invited for his speech. After observing all protocols, "The leadership of the students' Union must equally have the capacity to be able to do well in duty"

We must understand that as you and we are looking to build a nation, You have a role to play in ensuring that things work..." Says Gen. Leo Irabor. He encourages the students to be serious in their studies, and also, to make good use of the students' Union building. He further stated in his address, "The future is dependent on those who have skills" 

The Vice-Chancellor, General Leo Irabor and students union Executives were invited for the presentation of gifts

The closing prayer by the Chaplain ended with the national anthem.

OAU student leaders, Management spar Over Proposed Anti-Cultism Rally

By Uthman Samad

The management of obafemi Awolowo University Ile-Ife has today countered and refuted the proposed Anti-Cultism rally by some student leaders of  the institution.

This is coming barely 24hours after the communiqué of the meeting held between the students' Union Action Committee and Executives and parliamentary representatives from faculty and departmental associations was made public.

As received by OAUPeeps News Agency,  the communiqué stated that the meeting which was held by the student leaders at Social Sciences Lecture theatre II with more than 50 students in attendance resolved at having "temporal  leadership of a 7-man Ad-Hoc committee"

The meeting also agreed to "organize and mobilize for an anti-cultism march of all students in response to the live cult threat of June 1st on the 30th and 31st of May , 2019 at SUB by 4PM".

However, in a circular signed by the Dean of Division of students affairs of the institution has kicked against the proposed rally.

As contained in the circulated piece, the management noted not to go "against students' freedom of association but frowns at a situation where students will take law into their hands in the name of staging an unauthorized protest"

"Accordingly, the management calls on students that are planning this illegal protest to desist from such. Any student or a group of students caught organising any form of protest or participating in any form of protests would be deemed to have willingly violated his or her oat of matriculation and he university management may be compelled to view or review the studentship of such students in relations to the school rules and regulations", part of the circular reads

It could be recalled that this news Agency reported the "threat message" signed by one Mr Oju, sent around the OAU WhatsApp pages stating the invasion of the campus by the "Alora confraternity" confraternity.

This newspaper understand this move in retaliation of the knock down by the univeristy security after the disruption of the organized musical show which featured popular afro star artiste, Zlatan Ibile.

Since then, observations by OAUPeeps News Agency indicate security beef-up in all halls of residence and the main university gate by identification of students through the relevant medium.