There's More To Be Done: Newly Sworn Nassors President Charges Members of the Department

By Ayomide Emmanuel

The National Association For Students Of Religious Studies, Obafemi Awolowo University chapter, has inaugurated new executive members to oversee the department's affairs for the 2022/2023 academic session.

In his inaugural address, the department's President, Comrade Akinnibi Miftahu Oyempemi, expressed his gratitude to the Nassorites for trusting him with the mandate to lead the department. He also showed appreciation to the department and past executives for their efforts in funding department activities and providing for students' needs. However, he emphasized that there is more work to be done.

He stated, "My fellow executives and I have made several promises to the students based on our manifestos, which I have titled the PROPELLER plan" Elaborating on the PROPELLER plan, he mentioned that it is centered on six agendas: Library Renovation, Freshers' Orientation, Religious Library Summit, Skill Acquisition Programs, Scholarship Provision, and Tutorials.

He further reaffirmed the executive members' commitment to an all-inclusive agenda for all students. He assured them that his fellow executive members would collaborate with all relevant units to ensure that students' voices are heard and that even the smallest complaints are addressed.

SayNoToFeeHike: Great Ife Students Demand

        

By Ifeoluwa Adegboyega

Amidst ongoing tensions and students' agitation over the past few weeks, which followed several inconclusive meetings between the university management and representatives of the Great Ife Students, Great Ife Students took to the University campus gate on Tuesday, October 3rd, to stage a peaceful protest. 

The primary basis behind this demonstration was the recent hike in school fees, with students demanding a substantial 50% reduction in the fees set by the university management.

During this protest, the students of Great Ife were observed brandishing placards bearing slogans such as #SayNoToFeeHike, #Let the Poor Breathe, #FeeMustFall, and #You paid 9k, You want Students to pay 90k, among others, in a collective display of their discontent.

According to the report, the Director of the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) department, acting as the representative of the Vice-Chancellor, took the initiative to address the assembled students, acknowledging their concerns...

In his statement, he disclosed that the ICT department currently faced a staffing shortage attributable to the prevailing 'Japa' phenomenon, which had adversely impacted the department's ability to expeditiously process Post UTME examinations. Consequently, this situation had led to delays in activating the installment payment feature on the student portal.

It was reported that, the Director assured the gathered Great Ife students that the installment payment feature would be fully operational by day's end, whereas, the Great Ife Students' primary demand, which is a 50% reduction from the initially proposed price, remains unaddressed by the university management...

OAU Reduces School Fees After Meeting With Union Leaders

 

By Ifeoluwa Adegboyega

In response to demands from the Great Ife Students, the management of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) has officially disclosed a minimal reduction in school fees, subsequent to the initial fee increase.

This decision was reached after an extensive meeting between the University's management and the Great Ife Students' Union on Monday, September 25th, 2023.

Mr. Abiodun Olarewaju, the University's Public Relations Officer, confirmed in a press release that the meeting was initiated by the University's management due to the students' consistent calls for a reduction in the initially approved fees.

Despite the Student Union request for a 50% reduction, the University's management clarified that the revised charges were set at the minimum level required to maintain the university's operational efficiency.

In response to this situation, Vice Chancellor Professor Adebayo Simeon BAMIRE, in a press release, announced the following fee reductions:

Humanities: Returning students' fees have been reduced from #89,200 to #76,000, while fresh Humanities students will now pay #131,000 instead of the initial #151,200.

Sciences and Technology: Charges for returning students in these faculties have been lowered from #101,200 to #86,000, and fresh students will pay #141,000, down from the initial #163,200.

Pharmacy and College of Health Sciences: Returning students in these faculties will now pay #109,000 instead of #128,200, while fresh students will pay #164,000, down from the initial #190,000.

The university's management, as outlined in a release, has also agreed to allow students to make payments in two equal installments.

Furthermore, they stated in a press release that the payment portal is now accessible to students for fee processing.

Great Ife Students' Union Requests Fee Collection Suspension In Response to Fee Hike

By Fadipe Oluwatimileyin

Amidst the recent fee hike in Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) in Ile-Ife, Osun State, the Great Ife Students' Union has taken an assertive step by addressing various financial institutions, demanding a temporary suspension of student fee collections.

In response to their dissatisfaction with the recent fee increase, following a stakeholders' meeting, the report outlines the unanimous resolution among students to withhold fee payments until the university management revises the fee hike.

The students' union further asserts that the fee increment was implemented without considering the prevailing economic conditions and contradicts directives from the House of Representatives, the Presidency, and the Federal Ministry of Education, all of which mandated a freeze on fee hikes in federal universities. This move aims to exert pressure on the university management to reconsider their decision.

Following the stakeholders' meeting, the union indicates that the letter has been sent to multiple financial institutions, including Access Bank, Diamond Bank, Ecobank Plc, FCMB, First Bank, Fidelity Bank, GTBank, Polaris Bank, Union Bank, Wema Bank, Zenith Bank, and UBA.

In their press release, the students' union emphasizes that a failure to comply with their request may lead to confrontations between the student body and the financial institutions involved.

In their concluding remarks, they further stress that the decision now rests in the hands of these financial institutions on campus, as they must weigh the options of complying with the students' appeal or potentially facing challenging situations.

Obafemi Awolowo University Adjusts Students' Fees for 2023 Academic Session Following Senate Decision

 

By Joshua Ajayi-Sanni

With the new academic session on the horizon, the management of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, has disclosed revisions to the students' fees for the upcoming academic year. 

The new fee structure was unveiled by the University's Public Relations Officer in a press release and made available to OAUpeeps News Agency.

According to the statement, fresh students in the Faculties of Arts, Law, and Humanities will pay #151,200

While returning students in these faculties will pay #89,200. 

Similarly, fresh students in the Faculties of Technology and Science will be charged #163,200, with returning students in these faculties facing a fee of #101,200.

This fee adjustment is not specified to these faculties alone; new students entering the Faculties in the College of Health Sciences and the Faculty of Pharmacy will pay #190,200 and #128,200, respectively, while returning students in the same faculties will incur fees of #128,200 and #89,200, respectively.

The management extends its best wishes to the students for a successful academic programme.

Gunmen Attack: Great Ife Students' Union Reacts Swiftly

By Ifeoluwa Adegboyega (Ifelaw PR)

In a shocking turn of events, a group of armed assailants descended upon the Ooni Crownland Estate, popularly known as Damico, in Ile-Ife, Osun State during the early hours of Tuesday. This audacious attack targeted a significant number of Students' Union members who reside within the estate.

According to a press release, the armed intruders focused their attention on two hostels within the estate: Dominion and an unnamed hostel near E and E restaurant, a bustling central point in the community. Eyewitness accounts suggest that multiple students may have been involved in the robbery, with reports of sporadic gunfire adding to the chaos.

Several students were reportedly involved in the robbery attack as the gunmen shot sporadically during the operation.

It was reported that the robbers gained entry into the hostels at about 2:08 a.m., leaving residents of the community in a state of unrest.

The security breach occurred at approximately 2:08 AM, according to the press release, plunging the estate's residents into a state of panic and distress. In a commendable display of vigilance, the Central Executive Council (CEC) of the Students' Union swiftly alerted the relevant security authorities. This included notifying the Area Commander and the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of the Moore Police Division, the Chief Security Officer (CSO) of OAU Security, and the Quick Response Squad (QRS) of the University.

Thankfully, reports indicate that no lives were lost during this terrifying incident. However, one student sustained gunshot wounds during the ordeal. The injured student is currently receiving medical treatment and is expected to make a full recovery. The assailants reportedly fled the scene with stolen laptops and mobile phones.

Demonstrating a strong commitment to the welfare and safety of its members, the Students' Union leadership has pledged to engage with the Landlord Association of the estate and collaborate closely with the Police Department to address security concerns.

In conclusion, all union members are urged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities without delay. By working together, the Students' Union believes it can create a safer and more secure environment for everyone.

OAU Sets To Host The Largest Gathering Of Christian Law Students In Africa

Ile-Ife is home to many sights, including the prestigious Obafemi Awolowo University. This September, OAU, under the leadership of the National President of the Christian Law Students’ Fellowship of Nigeria (CLASFON), Temidayo V. Olalekan (AICMC), shall be hosting the largest gathering of Christian Law Students in Africa in CLASFON National Conference (CNC). With a combined membership of more than 6000 students, the Christian Law Students’ Fellowship of Nigeria is easily the largest in Africa. Its membership span across 58 chapters of the fellowship in the different geo-political zones of the country. 

The legal profession holds a crucial role in shaping the society, upholding justice, and safeguarding individual rights. Lawyers, often referred to as Ministers in the Temple of Justice, helps in interpreting laws, resolving disputes, and providing ethical guidance for the society. This role significantly impacts governance, societal norms, and the overall harmony of any state.  

In this context, the Christian Lawyers’ Fellowship of Nigeria and its students’ body, the Christian Law Students Fellowship of Nigeria (CLASFON), steps forward as a beacon of hope, aiming to empower the future leaders of the legal profession and significantly impact the nation’s legal landscape through its annual National Conference. 

CLASFON has produced an endless list of God-fearing lawyers who have made a significant difference in the Nigerian legal landscape and these include the likes of:

● Dr. Wole Olufon (Remarkable lawyer and Chairman, Board of Trustees of CLASFON)

● His Excellency Mr. Mutfwang Caleb Manasseh (Executive Governor of Plateau State)

● Prof. John Akintayo (President, Christian Lawyers’ Fellowship of Nigeria)

● Prof. Bankole Sodipo, SAN 

"(L-R) General Jesse Jackson, National Secretary, Prof. Bankole Sodipo, SAN, Senior Partner at G.O. Sodipo & Co., and STAKEHOLDER of CLASFON, Temidayo Olalekan, (AICMC), the National President of CLASFON – Students’ Body."

CLASFON National Conference

The National Conference of the Christian Law Students’ Fellowship of Nigeria is an annual conference moving across the major geopolitical zones in Nigeria and being hosted by different universities in these regions. 

"CLASFON OAU Chapter with the National President – ready to host CNC"

This year’s conference, holding from the 6th – 9th September, shall be made up of insightful sessions and activities, including: career & legal targeted programs, spiritual enrichments & ministrations, national competitions, the African praise night, sports activities, the Annual General Meeting (AGM), and the Grand Presidential Dinner.

Ministers and speakers confirmed to be in attendance during CNC this year include Apostle Emmanuel Iren, Pastor Temiloluwa Ola, Prof. John Akintayo, Mrs. Foluke Akinmoladun, Dr. Mrs. Shade Adegbite, Dr. Amanim Akpabio, Victor Onuche Esq., and Prof. Bukola Akinola.

“Temidayo V. Olalekan – National President, CLASFON Students’ Body.”

The National President of CLASFON, Temidayo Victor Olalekan (AICMC), in his word said, “It is clear that God is raising new generals and new giants who would herald His will and mandate in this generation. The CLASFON National Conference couldn’t have come at a better time!

He further remarked that, “…it takes God's strength to do God's work. And it takes an entire village to nature a vision. I believe this is a powerful opportunity for us as a body and as a nation. This is why we are inviting you to join in.” 

Joining the Vision 

By the 6th of September, 2023, the largest gathering of Christian Law Students in Africa shall commence at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria. The theme for this year’s conference is "The Lord is our Lawgiver (Isaiah 33:22)". 

For Further Enquiries, Sponsorships and Partnership: Kindly mail us at: clasfonnationalconference@gmail.com. You can also Call Temidayo Olalekan (National President) 08106414688 or General Jesse Jackson (National General Secretary) on 08145659480.