My Dais: Our Cravings - Israel 'Daarasimi

An Open letter to Prof Omole

It's been a long but short journey through the leadership of this prestigious university, and also as the first citizen of this our Demo-nation. Leadership, a very sensitive position that brings about interests, direction and concentration. Being a leader for a year deserves commendation not to talk of being at the periphery of affairs for five years ( without considering achievements and fulfilment ), it's worth it.
    At this same period some years back you were soaring to become the conduit of our Great Ife. Sir, your past was endearing and the future so glaring. It was a point in time when both students and staff ( Academic and Non-academic) were looking forward to a man who will either build on the work of Prof. Faborode or otherwise. Manifestos were read, journalists reported, government intervened, alumni were interested, students anticipated, elections were run and you mounted the sit of leadership under the administration of Dr. Goodluck Jonathan.
     However it's been a while. I'm writing this to inform our heart's and reform our minds to deform our wrong conceptions.
You've always been my mentor since I read about you on Wikipedia, this made me so glad the first day I saw you. My hope of meeting you on a personal note experienced bliss.
    In the first instance, I will like to tell you about the state of your alma mater and our university. Our conditions are now unbearable and becoming unbecoming, which always bring about sentiments and arguments among we student, everday. Our environments have become an habitat for strange animals.                                                 
     Rats, our archenemy have now become our close competitors, if they have had the chance of collective reasoning they may have carried out a successful coup d'etat and eventually evacuated us from our hostels. They disturb us at night, terrorize us in the morning and tempt us at night. Our foodstuff are no longer safe, they break into our locked cupboard, vandalize our chow and victuals and leave us hopeless (due to the fear of lassa fever). The rats no longer give us chance to focus on our studies adequately, because sometimes we are scared they may reinvade us again. I know, we may seem unserious and always wanting the management to do everything for us. But we have tried all our possible best to conquer them, but they remain resistant, due to the fact that the rooms we call our own look more like theirs due to the look and the environ, perhaps they also believe it's their right.
     Our toilets are no more serving their purpose properly, because most of them are delapitated. They no longer provide the comfortability they were meant for. The odour that escapes from some of our broken toilet pipes are so lousy that if it could have been the odour that came out of Lazarus's sepulchre, Jesus might have refused to call him back to life. Some of the toilet doors are broken, so our privacy are no longer protected. Our toilets have now become a breeding ground for Mosquitoes and fruit flies. Whereas our security(which is Window nets) are also distorted. Then, when we sleep at night the mosquitoes use their proboscis turned pipes to suck us dry, also infecting us in the process and causing Malaria which may inadvertently lead to another Unwelcoming visit to the health center.
     Our lecture theatres are no longer conducive, the chairs in some of them are delapitated, even some boards have been disfigured, to the extent that the comfortability of 100 students is not guaranteed in a 200 seater lecture theatre. Likewise, the doors and Windows of some are bad that their security is no longer guaranteed.
    I am unsure if you are not properly aware of all this or if our Student Union leaders have not taken time to discuss with you this pending issues. This are some painstaking problems which has and still continue to bedevil us.
      I also really appreciate some of the promises you fulfilled. You promised us a better power supply. We no longer clamour for power supply since we always have a stable supply, expect sometimes due to malfunctioning of the system. Also, under your watch the university maintained the top spot among her counterparts in Nigeria and Africa at large. It is a rare feat you have achieved. Kudos Sir.
    Yes, you have been in the position for almost five years. It's time to pass on the baton. We students can not afford having a bad leader in this university, therefore, I urge you sir, to do every appropriate thing to make sure the will of God for us is not influenced. Our University matters a lot than anybody's ambition because we are moving into another decade of leadership. Proper care must be taken to prevent furthered rupturing and poisoning of our university.
     I will advise the VC, that before you relinquish power, he should make an auditioning of how our funds were managed and spent during his administration, so as to protect your ministry as a Pastor and also provide new chances for you in top leadership positions because accountability is the greatest asset of any leader.   
     Nevertheless, to move forward from this stern conditions of ours, we need a leader that feels our pains to sail the ship of this university for the next five years. The new leader must shift his focus totally from the past and concentrate on how to take this university higher.
     To the VC, these are your last days in the office, use them wisely and judiciously. I appreciate you for all you have done, it's been a great ride with you in this few years, but don't forget the aforementioned problems, it's not too late to address them.

    As Donald Trump will always say, let's make OAU great again. We want the creme de la creme from our next leader.

Israel 'Daarasimi

Disclaimer: The Opinions expressed in this Article are strictly that of Israel 'Daarasimi and not of OAU Peeps News Agency.

Violence Rocks UniPort And AAUA As Both Universities Are Shutdown

The University of Port Harcourt, Port Harcourt was shutdown on Monday, 11th April 2016 following the violence that ensued after the Students of the institution protested an alleged policy made by the management of the University that the school fees must be paid before they would be allowed to write their first semester examination. The policy generated series of protest by the students which halted academic and administrative activities in the University.

Professor Sunday Lale, the current Vice Chancellor of the Institution, was summoned by the students to address them and reverse the policy but the VC refused.

However, the last staged protest before the shutdown was said to have lead to the death of two students of the university and injury of Six. One of the student deceased students identified as Peter Ofurun was said to have been hit by a bullet from a policeman and was a student in the Faculty of Management science before his untimely death.

Another Student, who is yet to be identified, was also claimed to have been hit by a bullet and was rushed to the hospital but had died before getting to the hospital. The protesting  students claimed that the policy was a form of victimisation adding that the dwindling economy of the nation is what resulted in the Untimely non-payment of fees by some students.

The senate of the University though has since shut down the university with immediate effect stressed  that they were not expelling any student but those that did not make their payment within the stipulated time will have to carry their courses over and repeat the entire year. Student union activities were also suspended  indefinitely. The closure of the University is expected to last for One month but the protesting students stated they would prefer the school to be shut down until the management accepts their position on the matter.

A Similar issue also occurred at Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko (AAUA) on Saturday where the students of the institution staged a violent protest over the alleged murder of one of their colleagues with the named Afolabi Daniel Ojo who was said to have been hit  by a commercial motorcyclist. The deceased was a 200L student in the Department of Economics Education.
The students mobilised and staged a protest, demanding for the motorcyclist  that allegedly killed their colleague which then lead to a commotion between the students and the indigenes of the Akungba community. This action also impeded vehicular movement and crippled business activities.

However, there are claims that following the accident, the deceased was taken to the health centre of the school where the nurses refused to attend to him. After which, he was then taken to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Owo where he finally died.

The University  Authorities through the Registrar, Mr. Sunday Ayeerun, then announced the closure of the University due to the protest staged inside the campus. However, the date of resumption was said to be communicated to the students later.

Names Of Shortlisted Candidates For OAU VC Seat

The six shortlisted candidates for the soon-to-be vacant position of the Vice Chancellor of Obafemi Awolowo University are;

1.) Prof Ayobami Salami(Current Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academics)
2.) Prof Afolabi Akindaunsi (Federal University of Technology, Akure)
3.) Prof Charles Akinyokun (Federal University of Technology, Akure)
4.) Prof Olabisi Aina
5.) Prof Eyitope Ogunbodede
6.) Prof Anthony Akinlo

The latest development however confirms the suspension of the selection process owning to the court injuction gotten by SSANU and NASU. The tenure of the current Vice Chancellor, Professor Bamitale Omole will expire come June 23, 2016.

Moshood Olajide Accuses TY, AY Toes Others Of Lobbying With School Management

Moshood Olajide Odunayo has accussed some prominent political figures on OAU Campus of lobying the school management toconstitute Students Union Transition Committee (SUTC) next session.

In a write-up authored by Moshood Olajide, titled "INVESTIGATION: HOW TY, AY TOES. KAY KAY, ATOM, DEPARTMENTAL PRESIDENTS, OTHERS LOBBY THE SCHOOL MANAGEMENT TO CONSTITUTE SUTC NEXT SEMESTER" and widely circulated among Great Ife Students, the OAU WIKILEAKS convener claimed that some "elements" have been hired by the school management and are being used to actualize the Management's aim of forming a SUTC instead of an independent Union, which according to him, is the wish of Great Ife Students.

The accused persons include: Omotayo Akande (TY), Ayo Toluwalase (AY Toes), Sodiq Kayode Olaniyan (KAYKAY), and Rasheed Brain.  Others allegedly at the centre of the issue include ATOM, Ikudaisi Ekiti (EKITI) - former Electoral Commission Chairman, TemiTee and some members of the outgone CEC.

The write-up also pinpointed Presidents of various departments as strong advocates of thesame course and are being used to spread the idea to their respective primary constituencies. The release alleged that these above listed people have been meeting the Management with the aim of championing the course of SUTC constitution in return for financial and other gains.

According to unconfirmed reports, the School Management has allegedly proposed the constitution of a transition committee that would see to the eventual prescription of the Students' Union, though Great Ife Students at a recent Stake Holders Meeting kicked against thesame. 

OAU Peeps News Agency, in order to confirm or clarify these claims, tried to contact some of the affected persons, but as at the time of writing this report, all efforts harnessed towards this has proved abortive.

The author by the implication of the write up promises the exposure of more names as the investigation continues.

A copy of the write up is found below:


=================================================

INVESTIGATION: HOW TY, AY TOES, KAY KAY, ATOM, DEPARTMENTAL PRESIDENTS, OTHERS LOBBY THE SCHOOL MANAGEMENT TO CONSTITUTE SUTC  NEXT SEMESTER

By Moshood Odunayo Olajide

It is no longer news that some elements hired by the school management to ensure a Students Union Transition Committee (SUTC) is constituted next semester against the clamour of students for independent unionism are already making a desperate move to orchestrate their plan to sell out Great Ife students to perpetual bondage.

THE CONCEPT OF SUTC
The Students union transition committee has always been the ploy of the university management to decimate the vibrancy of the Union and weaken the consciousness of students. It has always been the product of an anti-management suspended union. For instance, in 2012,the management constitute a students union transition committee led by Ayo Toluwalase popularly and politically known as AYTOES. The monumental looting and fraud which characterize the SUTC administration led AYTOES confirm the fact that it is an anti-students structure always put in place by the management to compensate their stooges to easily implement anti-students policies. I In fact, the overwhelming condemnation which greet that of 2012 is still fresh in the memory of students. During the SUTC administration in 2012, AyToes went to Awolowo Hall to make announcement addressing himself as Acting President, Awoites in their infuriated response pelted him with sachet of pure and pour urine on his head. In the process, AyToes ran away with the megaphone in his hand. The union was later reinstated after a serious agitation by students. The rest is history. History will likely repeat itself this time around.

THE STRUCTURE OF THE CURRENT SUTC
Unlike in the past when 1member will be elected through a faculty Congress to represent his faculty, reverse is the case this time around. Based on their scheme, name of 35 management loyalists will be submitted to the DSA and appointed while 5 committees comprising of press, social, academic, Hall executives and one other will be formed out of the committee. This itself has shown that if the SUTC come alive, management won't reinstate the union for good three years while students will be suffering.

THE FORCES OF DARKNESS BEHIND THE MOVE
While students are clamouring for independent unionism, these selfish and greedy elements are busy meeting the management on how to constitute SUTC and gain whooping amount of money. The sad aspect is that, many CEC members are part of the plan. Omotayo Akande TY, the head of the recently dissolved Central Executive Council and other CEC members are involved in planning the SUTC. The plan of SUTC is not accidental, it has been in place for months as planned by TY in conjunction with Ekiti and others.
In fact, the SUTC is part of the condition for the reinstatement of TY, Immanuel Kant and Honourable Seun which is why they never build their contractual suspension among the rank and file of students. Ikudaisi Ekiti, former electoral commissioner of the union was also part of those drafting the SUTC plan alongside AyToes, former SUTC chairman. They have been having meeting together in the last 13 days on how to strategize their plan.

WHO ARE THOSE TO BE USED TO SPREAD THE SUTC IDEA TO STUDENTS?
Departmental and Faculty Presidents are been used to spread the idea to students been the closest to their members. Atom, the President of the faculty of science has submitted 4 names to represent the faculty. Atom favor the likes of Honourable Bam and Dwaney. In faculty of education, the likes of Fatoyinbo Gafar and Adesoye Seun are been considered while other faculties are still keeping their list under wrap. Students should warn their departmental President not to get involved in this pro management agenda of SUTC. If your department President want to sell SUTC idea to you, Just warn him that he should tread softly and stop betraying Great Ife students or be ready for impeachment. Tell your department President that they should join in the campaign for independent unionism and not SUTC been promoted by selfish elements to loot students.

WHO ARE THOSE BEEN CONSIDERED?
A lot of students have been lobbying to be part of the SUTC apart from their godfathers like TY and Ekiti fronting the plan. Here are few of them.

AY Toes - a part four student of Law. He lost the last Presidential election which ushered in the emergence of TY.

Positivev - a part four student of Law. He lost the last Law Student Society (LSS) Presidential election.

Rasheed Brain - He wants to contest for Awo Hall chairman before the union was attacked by the management.

Sodiq Kayode Olaniyan (KAY KAY) - A part 3 student of Sociology and Anthropology, he wants to contest for the union President before the union was attacked. He is favoured to be offered the SUTC chairman. And he have been meeting a lot of people for the past one month.

Temitope Aina (TemiTee) - a part 1 student of Law. She wants to contest for Mozambique Hall chairperson before she changed her mind and team up with SUTC greedy elements.

OTHERS
students should not be surprised that many of those vying for a post in the union might join them at the end of the day including the docile parliamentarians in the last corrupt TY led administration to some Judicial council members who failed to uphold the code of honour in the time of crisis. And students should not be surprised that some of those mentioned here have prepared empty rejoinder to gullible students. Don't be deceived but ask them questions like: If your name is eventually added or surfaced out in the management list, what should students do to you? Should students parade, beat you up or pour faeces on you?
Students should also commence the agitation that the atrocities committed by the TY led administration be reopened for comprehensive investigation, from monetary driven awards, mismanagement of DSA subvention, and clarification of funds received outside the four walls of the university, and the schorlaship scheme scandal including a detailed analysis on their suspension and the process which lead to their reinstatement.

WHAT STUDENTS SHOULD DO
Students should see the people mentioned above as traitors and their enemies. And whenever and wherever you see them, confront them and ask questions. Students should also continue to campaign for independent students' unionism in order to reclaim the vibrancy of the union while a Congress should be convened in early part of next semester to outline the next line of action.

#ForIndependentUnionElectionNow!
#SayNoToSutc


THE INVESTIGATION CONTINUES AS MORE NAMES WILL BE EXPOSED LATER.

===========================================================================


OAU Peeps News Agency will continue to bring developments on this matter as they unfold.

OAU Students Show Displeasure Over SLAN Release, Call Them Anti-Students

On Friday 11th of April a news release by a group called Student Leaders Alliance of Nigeria (SLAN) went viral on national dailies and websites. The group which is said to consist of former student leaders of the institution showered praise on the vice chancellor, Prof. Bamitale Omole, who they claimed is the best VC the school has gotten and should be celebrated.

The group through their release passed a vote of confidence on the VC. However, students of the citadel of learning have been divided over the release. Some students have come out to criticize the VC. Some of the students has described the VC's tenure as an unforgettable one full of ups and down.

A popular critic and student activist Emman O Emman described the VCs tenure as a disaster and he should bury his head in shame. He further noted that it is a sheer stupidity to congratulate the VC for what he has done during his administration.

Some students also termed the group which claim to parade themselves as pro-students "Paid Agents" who does not have the interest of the masses at heart. Many students who saw this release online reminded them of the fee hike, poor welfare conditions and series of mid semester breaks. A student on one of the popular WhatsApp groups of OAU pointed out that other union body on campus like NASU and SSANU had embarked on strike at different times due to the inability of the management to meet their demands.

INEC Declares Ife Central Constituency Election Inconclusive

The Independent National Electoral Commission has declared the by-election ‎held at Ife Central State Constituency in Osun State inconclusive.

The Returning Officer, ‎Dr Francis Oladimeji, who made the announcement after the collation of results from the 11 wards in the state constituency, said the result could not be declared because of the violence which led to the disruption of collation at two polling units.

According to him, fresh election would be held on Sunday in the two affected polling units, Agbedegbede and Moore Ojaja, both in Ward Three in Ife Central State Constituency.

He explained that the report of violence recorded at the two polling units led to the cancellation of 872 votes, saying the margin between the two leading candidates was 710, making it imperative to conduct a fresh election, as stipulated in the Electoral Act.

Dr Oladimeji further explained that ‎the number of cancelled votes exceeded the difference between the two leading candidates.

There were reports that suspected political thugs had earlier disrupted voting process at the two polling units, with attempts to snatch ballot boxes from INEC ad-hoc staff.



Source: Channels TV

OAU VC: Unions Get Court Injunction To Stop Process

Though the Governing Council of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, had concluded plans to announce a new Vice-Chancellor today (Saturday), workers unions in the school on Friday said they had secured a Federal High Court injunction that would stop the planned announcement.

The Chairman of the OAU chapter, Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions, Chairman, Mr. Wole Odewumi, said workers would resist any attempt by the school authorities to impose a candidate on them.

A member of the selection board, saddled with the responsibility of appointing a new VC, had disclosed to one of our correspondents on Thursday that it was set to announce the successful candidate on Saturday.

Eleven candidates had applied to replace the current VC of the university, Prof. Bamitale Omole, whose five-year single term tenure will end June 23, 2016.

However, members of the school’s chapters of NASU and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian University laid siege to the VC’s Lodge on Thursday night, disrupting the final screening of the final candidates for the position.

The NASU chairman, when contacted, told Saturday PUNCH that the two unions stormed the lodge to prevent the “kangaroo screening from holding.”

Odewole said, “We went to the VC’s lodge and ensured that the kangaroo screening did not hold. They had the intention of announcing a new VC today (Saturday), but it cannot happen again.

“I was called by the Ooni of Ife, Oba Ogunwusi, and he said we should hold on and we respected his words. Aside from that, we got an injunction from the Federal High Court, Ibadan and served them today (Friday).

“They cannot do anything now with the court injunction. We are ready to resist any attempt to foist any candidate on us as the VC without following the law.”

The two unions had repeatedly complained that the governing council, led by Prof. Rowland Ndoma-Egba, did not follow the laws guiding the selection process.

The Chairman of OAU chapter of SSANU, Mr. Ademola Oketunde, and Odewumi had written a letter of protest to President Muhammadu Buhari, asking him to dissolve the governing council because of the alleged manipulation in the selection process.

One of our correspondents gathered on Friday that leaders and members of the two unions were hinted that the six candidates shortlisted for the final screening were invited to appear for the final interview scheduled for around midnight.

The venue of the screening was, however, shifted to the VC’s lodge, apparently to prevent the two unions from disrupting it.

Source: Punch