Pictures From Yesterday's NASU Members Protest In OAU

Here are some of the captured scenes of the yesterday's protest of non-academic staff of Obafemi Awolowo University.

Photography: Farombi Oluwaseun & Oyedeji Olanrewaju

Full Text Of New OAU Vice Chancellor's Inaugural Speech

The Dawn of a New Era

Dear colleagues, students and other stakeholders in the Great Ife Project, it gives me great joy to welcome you to the dawn of a new era as I assume office today (24th June, 2016) as the new Vice Chancellor of this University. I am not unmindful of the humongous challenges of my new responsibility as the 11th Vice Chancellor of this great institution, especially within the context of our experience of the most recent past. We cannot lose sight of the fact that it is a very trying period of our enviable history. Nonetheless, the work of moving our university to the next level must be done, as I pledged to do prior to my appointment. Let me make a clarion call on all stakeholders, including all staff, our alumni, friends, benefactors as well as all and sundry to join hands with this new administration which has pledged to be firm, just, equitable and independent in running the affairs of our institution. If there are groups or individuals with any concern, this administration is ever ready to engage such constructively in a round-table so as to amicably resolve matters, instead of resorting to any self-help that may lead to disruptions and disturbances to members of the community. Let us all remember that this is our common heritage and whatever we do to promote, nurture, sabotage or destroy it will be documented for posterity.

Our university, as an enviable citadel of learning thrives on hybridization and cross-fertilization of ideas. In Ife, there is always and always will be space to think, express our views both in words and enlightened actions or else, we are not worthy of our name as a university. OAU is therefore, a freedom land where intellectualism must drive our differences and harmonise our energies for the sole purpose of enriching our students- the only reason for the existence of this university community. This is no doubt, a noble time of courage, discipline and daring vision. However, our community cannot sacrifice two dynamics of freedom and academic progress: truth and discipline. It was Plato who said to Aristotle, “You are my friend but truth is my greater friend.” In a time when tertiary institutions like ours are competing with the ever-increasing but much newer universities, we must as a community shun untruth and embrace our opportunities. On the other hand indiscipline is neither a friend of truth nor progress. This is the time we must celebrate our values, uphold our principles and stick to our laws.

I know the time has come for a constant dialogue between the leadership and the community about our common interest and I shall practice that. I wish to assure everyone that yesterday is gone, and a new dawn is here! This is a University with great potentials that we must all agree to properly harness for the good of all.

I once again pledge to work for the greater good of our great citadel of learning, and making the legitimate welfare of all stakeholders a priority. The time-tested committee system of the university shall be upheld and the administration shall adopt an open door policy where anyone with any valuable contribution shall be welcomed.

I hereby appeal to all and sundry to join hands with me in a bid to move this institution to higher grounds. I envision this administration as the bridge between our past that we cherish and the future that we admire. As encapsulated in my Vision Statement, I am aware that history beckons on me as the new Vice-Chancellor not only to be able to sustain the gains of the past, but to also be able to capacitize the system for innovative strides at the onset of a new ‘decade’ in the annals of the governance of the University. It is now my responsibility for the next 5 years to be a catalyst for change by demonstrating a genuine commitment to academic renaissance, re-invigorating the learning environment, staff and students’ welfare, networking and consensus building within the system. I must hasten to add that all these laudable objectives can only be achievable if we all join hands together to move our beloved institution forward. It is my strong desire and hope that this new dawn will be remembered for progress, academic breakthroughs and our citizen’s great welfare. This requires that all hands must be on the deck and I, on my part, hereby extend my hand of friendship and reconciliation to everyone. I am determined to embrace this opportunity for service with singularity of purpose, majesty of the spirit and fidelity of intention. Individually we can make a difference but together we can make an impact.
God bless you.

Professor Ayobami Salami

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School Closure: JaniCuts Advises OAU Students

As the students of Obafemi Awolowo University continue to exit the University community to their various homes, the CEO of JaniCuts fashion line and alumnus of the institution, Ajani Oluseyi a.k.a JaniCuts has given the affected students some important tips on how to maximize the break period.

Janicuts urged the students not to see the break as a free time to engage in frivolities, rather it should be viewed as a challenge to add more in value to themselves.  The students are also advised to go for engagements outside their course of study; like crafts, trades, volunteer works and related activities.

According to Janicuts, students stand a better chance of securing jobs in the current Nigerian situation if they are able to add extra skills to their educational qualifications.

"Graduating from school doesn't guarantee automatic employment in Nigeria, many before you (the students) are still in the labour market searching for unavailable jobs. When your school goes  on strike, see it as a challenge to improve the education sector in your country and also as a possibility of adding something new to your degree like starting a course online, learning the practical aspects of your course of study, learning a craft/trade, volunteering for an NGO.  Just engage in something, if necessarily for free, to gain experience.

"Keep improving yourself instead of agonizing.  Trust me, this is the best time for you to learn something new. Learning after graduation, when you can't get a job, is always hard because you will have a lot on your mind and definitely be after daily survival. Remember schooling and education are two different things." JaniCuts noted.

The fashion boss who is notable for his disapproval for wastage has successfully championed two editions of 'Project Let Go Africa' where cloths and other relief materials were donated to the less privileged, especially to children at the orphanage homes. Earlier this month, JaniCuts supported 10 start up businesses with a customised jersey each for their brands.

It will be recalled that the management of Obafemi Awolowo University announced the indefinite shutdown of the school on Wednesday owing to persisting protests by the non-academic staff of the institution.

OAU Shutdown: Acting SU CSO Encourages Students To Leave Campus At Their Pace

The Chief Security Officer (CSO) of the Security Committee of the suspended Obafemi Awolowo University Students’ Union, Comrade Olumighty, who has been handling affairs related to the Union has come out to also speak on the shutdown of the University. In an 8-paragraph Release signed by Olumighty, the Committee condemned the abrupt notice that students should evacuate Halls of Residence latest by 12:00pm today. Students were also advised to travel at their convenience.

The Committee has also decided on behalf of the defunct Students’ Union, to work with other Unions in order to restore peace and normalcy back to campus. Find the full release below;

GREAT IFE STUDENTS UNION
ON THE SHUTDOWN OF THE UNIVERSITY
It is no longer news that the university authority in the usual manner reacted to the recent workers' actions and inactions through an announcement in the radio by the registrar followed by a circular by the division of student affairs by shutting down the school.

This is to a very large extent an unexpected, incorrect and unwelcome approach in settling the issues that have enveloped the appointment of the vice chancellor. Students and the academic calendar shouldn't be at the receiving end of the crisis.

We're against the undemocratic closure of the school which is also another exposure of the Omole led administration which has usually made harmful autocratic decisions mostly injuring the students community.

The directive of having students vacate hostels before 12noon today is largely condemned and at this point, we hereby inform students that all Students who are not yet ready to leave the school should remain in their hostels and live without the fear of any attacks or harassment.

The leadership of the union as a call of necessity and expedience will be meeting with other sister unions especially the aggrieved unions to resolve on how peace could be restored to campus and activities fully restored to normalcy.

Also, there will be meetings with appropriate quarters of the school authority to address a fast track of resumption.

Our priority for now remains the restoration of normalcy on campus and resumption to usher in the commencement of academic activities in the university.

We wish students safe trip to their respective homes and wish you the best of the break.

Signed: Com OluMighty
CSO and leader of the union

NASU Goes Dramatic As Prof Omole Exits Office Today

After spending all night at the University Senate Building, the protesting members of the Non-Academic Staff Union of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-ife have started celebrating the exit of Professor Bamitale Omole, whose tenure as Vice-Chancellor ends today, in very unusual ways.

Members of the Union were dressed in white attires as they carried an ersatz coffin and danced around the Senate Building with brooms. Some others were also frying bean balls (akara) at the building.

More details to come...

ACJ OAU Speaks On Current NASU-Management Crisis; Recommends Students Interference

The leadership of the Association of Campus Journalists (ACJ), OAU has also come forth to comment on the recent crisis that has rocked the Obafemi Awolowo University and its effects on students. This was done in a release which was signed by by President, General Secretary and Public Relations Officer of the Association. In the release, the association recommended that, considering the detrimental effects of the closure on the students, the students not take sides in the ongoing brawl between the Management of the Obafemi Awolowo University and the Non-Academic Staff Union, but instead intervene to help resolve the crisis and to this end further recommended that a congress of Great Ife students be called. Find the full release below;

From Executive Council ACJOAU

The Closure of OAU, Matters Arising

Today, 22nd of June,2016, we received with huge sadness and shock the closure of Obafemi Awolowo University till further notice.

The reasons for the closure of Ife Varsity is based on the ongoing workers protest against alleged imposition of the new Vice Chancellor on the University community, we however do not want to dwell on rightness or wrongness of protests but the effect constant disagreement has had on students in the institution.

It has become a norm that OAU is known for unstable Calendar, we go on strike almost every session based on disagreement, however we must note that it is high time we find an alternative conflict resolution mechanism, we should remember that fresh students for instance have been at home for several months before resuming, ASUU were on leave for 56 days and it seems, the grass is suffering without due consideration from quarters.

We are in no way contesting the right to protest nor the powers of the school to declare closure but when this decisions alter future of thousands then we may begin to ask what we are been thought as leaders of tomorrow.

Historically, the last three years have come with strike and coincidentally those strike have been in the month of June, we cannot fold our arms and watch, let's know that other Universities also experience disagreements but if there was unity, things can be sorted out.

Fresh students have been on Campus for close to one month doing almost nothing and after one month they have been asked to return back home, definitely we may say this is a norm in Great Ife but things are becoming overbearing.

We totally want to express our deep concern towards this latest development, we know fully well that Students even have to travel again to long distances and looking at the rate of accidents lately, it is not advisable that students leave the University, remember that they never came for Tourism and shouldn't leave like they are on expedition, safety of life and property which the University has attached this decision to may not be achieved if students are allowed to travel in the Psychological state the Strike action must have left them, we must ensure that we stop repeating same mistakes that we have repeated all along.

OUR RECOMMENDATION.

-That the alternative dispute resolution mechanism of dialogue should be utilized.

- Students should see the present crisis as their concern, from information we have gotten, students may continue to suffer if we don't play a diplomatic role in solving this issue rather than taking sides or using this medium for popularity, a five man committee should work assiduously to ensure that impact of students is felt in efforts to resolve this issue, efforts should be that of Goodwill and not self interest

- The University authorities should consider the safety of students really and psychology of new students who have not been cleared even at Department level, the 56days leave already granted to ASUU, the decision to ask students to proceed on strike may not serve its purpose and should be looked into, Universities exist for students, decisions like this only leaves more to be wanted, it is unsafe to ask students to proceed home and it is unfair to postpone Academic activities after many postponement.

- Even though the case between NASU,SSANU and the Governing council is in Court , we believe that a common ground can be reached, we are recommending that aggrieved parties dialogue extensively

-- We are recommending a Congress of Great Ife students especially at this critical time and moment.

We believe at every point in life of a society disagreement may occur but ability to handle issues is essential.

At ACJOAU, we will continue to assert strength of the pen without fear or favor.

Signed

Olanrewaju Oyedeji
President

Adebayo Faith
General Secretary

Abegunde Cephas
Public Relations Officer
ACJ OAU