PRESS RELEASE: Students' Union Leaders Appreciate Jonathan, Condemn 'Political Tools'

PRESS RELEASE

Revolutionary greetings to all and sundry in the South West Zone, Osun state, Ife community and the generality of Great Ife Students on a successful host of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR for a special meeting with the Council of Obas in South West.

The leadership of the Students’ Union is appreciative of the listening character of the President as well as the efforts of individuals who facilitated the meeting with the President. It is imperative at this point to relay the product of the discussion with the President. The Speaker of the SRC addressed the President and submitted the protest letter which he personally received and gave assurances that the major issue in the letter – increment in fees is going to be addressed holistically in no long time as there are other schools that are affected. He committed himself to address welfare issues that affect OAU specifically.

Although some self-centered and politically-sponsored individuals attempted to unleash their demonic resolutions to deter and dissuade the union leaders from making pressing demands that will enhance the welfare of Great Ife students on campus, to make necessary demands for the reversal of fees and the reinstatement of some of our suspended students from the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan. On his way out, the president stepped out to the cheers of the students, receiving a lot of applause from the entirety of Great Ife students and commuters having heard that he had committed himself on the increment.
Meanwhile, just as the Union President conveyed to His Excellency, we again implore the president to stick to his promise, as a man of honour and integrity, as Great Ife students are in great anticipation and expectance. The cheers you received today at the time you were leaving were premised on the fact that we believed you will address the increment immediately. Mr President, the reversal of increased fees should also be extended to all Federal Universities and pump funds into education in the interest of the country.

However, we condemn the attitude of some individuals who portrayed themselves as elements of frustration and cheap political tools. Through this medium, we warn them to stay away from OAU campus as they are not unknown to the leadership of the union. We maintain our ground as Intellectual Fighters for Emancipation and not as uncoordinated confusionists and anarchists.

The leadership of the Union is very much undistracted in the maximization of this opportunity to solve the myriad of problems confronting Great IFE students. We also remain committed to the execution of our proposed projects and the completion of ongoing ones – Angola and Mozambique hall water projects, Great IFE app, Union website, and buses for campus shuttle, union hostel, among others.


La Lucha Sigue…
SGNED:
BAMIDELE OLUDARE J. IBIKUNLE ISAAC M.
P.R.O President

I Regret Not Having Yoruba As Speaker -Jonathan

President Goodluck Jonathan on Friday publicly lamented that he was unable to make a Yoruba politician the Speaker of the House of Representatives after 2011 general elections because of the selfish agenda of some Yoruba leaders.

He spoke at the Yoruba Unity Summit with the theme: “National Development: Wither the Yoruba,” which held at the Oduduwa Hall of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife.

Jonathan who was the special guest of honour at the event organised by the Yoruba Unity Forum, said he recognised the Southwest as a key player in the country and was still haunted by that unfortunate incident in 2011 when his desire to repay the Yoruba for their support for him was lost.

Mulikat Akande had then vied to be Speaker of the House of Representatives but lost to Aminu Tambuwal of the Northwest because of inadequate support from her Southwestern colleagues.

Recalling the events, the President said: “I thank you all for the support in the past elections. One of the problems I faced in the National Assembly is that I felt the right thing should be done because our party, the PDP, has a formula.

“We have six geo-political zones in the country and when the President emerges from one of the geo-political zones, the Vice-President emerges from another geo-political zone, the rest core offices, the Senate President, the Speaker, Secretary to Federal Government, the chairman of the party must come from different geo-political zones.
“The idea is that, whenever we are distributing board positions and some of these appointments, whenever we are appointing ministers, all these people sit to take decisions. In that case we want all the geo-political zones to be in the inner caucus that take critical decisions.

“The last time, it was difficult for me because I insisted that the Southwest must get the Speaker. Of course, I couldn’t go through with it because some of us within the Southwest didn’t want it, based on some personal reasons. I am still suffering from that till today.

“That is one of the reasons the leaders said, this time around, we must work collectively so that whatever position is zoned to the Southwest, we should get that position. People should not rob it from us.”

He expressed his belief in one Nigeria and challenged the Yoruba to be united even as he declared that the contributions of the Southwest to national unity would always be cherished.

Jonathan also noted the significance of the Southwest in the nation’s economy as he recalled that the region, particularly Lagos and Ogun states, control 55 per cent of the economy, a reason he remains committed to providing the people with infrastructure, electricity and other resources to further boost the economy.

“With unity, we can go to the moon. The Yoruba will not be left behind,” he added.

The President noted that the Yoruba had joined the national political fray with vigour and enterprise and were never afraid of internal debate among themselves, a reason for their being in the vanguard of demand for a national conference, as had just been concluded by his administration.

He again promised to implement the recommendations of the conference although he pointed out that there were some things he could not say or do immediately, as they could be deliberately given partisan consideration by desperate politicians who “are even ready to kill.”

Also, Akande noted that the Southwest had been relegated in the political arrangement of the nation not due to any deliberate action of Jonathan but because of Yoruba disunity.

“We should support his re-election bid, and we believe that he will reward us by reinstating us to our rightful place,” she stated.

In his fiery remarks, Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, urged President Jonathan not to be bothered or intimidated by former President Obasanjo’s criticisms because they are only made out of spite, which cannot be appeased.


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Photo Credit: State House Photo

Call For Papers; Elections: Means To What Ends?

As an event to mark Abiodun Omonijo’s birthday on the 1st of January 2015, we call on everyone who is passionate and still believe in the possibility of a better world to submit papers of not more than 2000 words on the theme; ELECTIONS: MEANS TO WHAT ENDS?

In writing these papers, ideas should be channeled at providing solutions to the problems that we are all aware of already. This collection will be published online at abiodunomonijo.wordpress.com on the 1st of January, 2015. Interested writers should send their papers to abiodunomonijobiz@gmail.com between 1st Decmber-25th December, 2014
THEME: ELECTIONS: MEANS TO WHAT ENDS?

SUBTHEMES:

1. THE MEDIA AND ELECTIONS: THE PROS AND THE CONS
2. CITIZENS AND POLITICAL APATHY: POSSIBLE ENDS
3. ELECTORAL MACHINATIONS : STOMACH INFRASTRUCTURE, GODFATHERISM, LOBBYING, RIGGING . . .
4. YOUTH INVOVLEMENT: WHAT ‘IS’ AND WHAT ‘OUGHT’ TO BE THE ELECTORAL PROCESS

Thanks.

Comrade Oye Slaps Fresher, Case To Be Moderated Today

By Olanrewaju Oyedeji

Angola Hall of Residence in Obafemi Awolowo University was another theatre of protest yesterday as students fought against alleged infringement on the right of their colleague who was slapped and abused by the Financial Secretary of the Students' Union, Awoyemi Omolayo Sogo a.k.a Comrade Oye.

The Financial Secretary came with the President of OAU SU to commission the water project supposedly done by the Ibikunle led administration.After the commissioning, Comrade Oye was involved in an argument with a Part 1 English student named Joy, he threatened to slap the Part 1 guy who saw it as a joke. Comrade Oye carried out his threat and landed a slap on face of Joy, not feeling any remorse for his actions, the aforementioned comrade threatened to slap the freshman again. This irked Angolans who witnessed the saga demanded that he apologize which Comrade Oye declined.
Students saw this as an affront on their right and clamoured that he be given the Scientific Maximum Shishi(SMS) since he would not apologize. The SU President who was also present at the scene could not achieve anything with his entreaties as the students remain angered. Things almost got out of hand when students in their numbers mobbed Comrade Oye stating that he would not leave unless if he is made to pass through SMS. Com Oye was eventually whisked to the Health Centre to prevent further attack on tghe Union officer.

Not Moved by this action, Comrade Ibiyemi, the Angola Hall chairman mobilized Angola Hall residents to move enmass to the Health Centre insisting that justice must be served.

After much deliberation and an undertaking signed by Angolans and Students Union CEC members, the case was adjourned till 12pm today for proper moderation.

Photos Of OAU Students' Union Officers With President Jonathan

Photos of Students' Union Officers of Obafemi Awolowo University with the president during his visit to the campus yesterday.

Photo Credit: State House Photos

OAU Students Protest Fee Increment & Victimization During Jonathan's Visit

Students of Obafemi Awolowo University today protested during the visit of President Goodluck Jonathan's visit.

Some students who were gathered at Oduduwa Hall as early as 9:00am where the President was meeting the traditional rulers chanted 'Ole ole'(thiefs) at them. The students carrying various placards displaying several inscriptions protesting increment in school fees and victimization of students chanted anti-Jonathan songs uncontrollably.

Every attempt by the Students' Union president, Comrade Ibikunle Isaac to calm and address the students proved abortive as he was booed and sachets were thrown at him in an attempt to stop him.
Protesting students got more aggressive as the meeting ended and security operatives tried to clear the way for Mr President's convoy to leave, the roads were blocked and students refused to be moved by fierce looking security officers that are fully armed to the teeth.

Ibikunle, president of the Students' Union who eventually blamed the protesting students for their non-coordination revealed he was able to submit a Protest Letter detailing the hardship and problems on campus to the President before his exit.

Some people have suggested that unfortunate turn of events has a political undertone because Osun State is an APC stronghold.


 Photo credit: Adavize/Twitter

President Goodluck Jonathan Visits OAU (Live-Blog Inside Oduduwa Hall)

Good Morning and welcome to our live-blog of #GEJINOAU at about 7:30 this Morning various men in uniforms were all over the School gate screaming on top of their Voices, desperately searching Ladies bags, Students backpack, Vehicles etc.

The Student Union provided buses to convey students into school, but some could not wait for the too long queue as they took to the streets with their legs because of their exams.

Business Ventures such as Fivers, Forks & Fingers, Kapersy around the SUB are locked, the same with DHL, Micro-Finance Bank, Kays Chippy around oduduwa hall.

On the other hand SSC 201 is going on in various venues in school including Odlt 1 and 2.
Accident in front of SUB bike man hits a metallic Colored Camry 2008 Model with FG plate number, thank God no casualties.
SUB Cark park is filled with exotic rides.

Black Toyota tinted Jeeps are all over campus.

9:10am
PDP Entourage Arrives Oduduwa hall four 30 seater buses and one luxurious bus in colorful.
Men in uniform: Students keep your phones, No pictures

Royal Fathers Arrive

Olujudo, Ewi of Ado Ekiti, Alara of Aramuko, Alaaye of Efon, Olooye of Oye, Oorin of ekiti, Orangun Ila, Olu of iloro, Alani of ido ani.

Press Men from Nta Arrives.

National Association of Nigerian Students JCC Ekiti just arrived.





At last we got into Oduduwa hall, various royal fathers, elders, chiefs and other dignitaries are seated.






The Ooni of Ife Oba Sijuwade Okunade just walked in.

The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan is in Oduduwa Hall.

He Greets all Royal fathers one on one.




Otunba Gbenga Daniels Speaking on why are we here

Ife is the cradle of the Yoruba race 3 reasons why we are here
1. To show Appreciation to the President
2. Moment of Great Expectation
3. Beginning of Recovering.

Prince Sijuwade Okunade reading the Ooni of Ife address.
Its an Opportunity to have a non- yoruba President in our amidst.
There are several other project abandon sir, majority of our traditional leaders are not happy with what they read daily in the Newspapers.

inside Oduduwa hall we can hear #teamoau shouting Ole, Ole

Ayo fayose Governor ekiti state just walked in.

Chief Olabode George. Topic: The Yourba People, Our defining Values and our place in the Source.
“We must work, plan together, we must begin anew, the road is long. This task of Yoruba oneness must. Be tackled.
We must rise up to take on place in history leading our Nation, we were the best and the brightness, our past leaders managed their dispute with maturity put away personal ambition, selfless, icons of truth and stability, they did not lose the sight of unity.

We must push toward the best among us our president has shown quality leadership and maturity in office he deserves a second time so he can reward our Zone .

Respect for Elders is one number in our Culture.” ~ Chief Olabode George.

“Before you hardly see a traditional ruler come out to publicly address people has am doing presently. I ask that we all work together to see the second standzard of the national anthem come to pass.” ~ Oragun Ila

“Come 2015 we the people of Yorubaland will vote Goodluck jonathan. ‘Pa Awolowo prophesied that one day we will have an ijaw Man as President.’ Iye Awolowo was there that day 1983.” ~ Chief Ebenzer Baba tope

Senator Femi Chairman National Conference:
Many Yoruba leaders had no shoes during their childhood days.
The Yorubas beileve in self determination. The Yorubas believe in equality of all race and ethic group.

#BringbackourPresidency crusade has been activated.

Barrister Jimoh Ibrahim
“Problem of Mr President is Poverty Rate in Nigeria. The World bank Data of Poverty Rate in Nigeria.
South West 16%
North East 50.2%
South South 20.2%
South East 32%
The South West gave 2.8million Votes to the president let’s partner with him and give him our votes come 2015. This gathering is greater than any individual.” ~ Jimoh Ibrahim

Engr. Iyiola Omisore
We are here as the Yoruba Nation, what ever we bound here is bound in heaven. We took ekiti, we are working to take Osun. Oyo, Lagos and Ogun will also follow as well.

Mulikat Akande Majority leader, House of Representative.
The lack of Cohesion in the South West has cost us to be relegated.

Ayo Fayose Governor Ekiti State:
I am glad and will continue to support you. We are dealing with Monster. My name is Ayo fayose Irumole toh gehn jollof rice.

You are a Complete gentleman. Obasanjo will not support but we will support you.

The President Federal Republic of Nigeria
I promise to build a better Nation

The Yoruba people are great people, there is no challenge facing us that we won’t overcome. The South west holds the economy of this Country, lagos and Ogun. We need to build good airports and Rail roads to connects these two states to other Southwest states. I have received good support from the people here, the President of Senate, Speaker of the House and Minsters has to come from different Geo-political Zones.

South West is the home of education, without education you can’t change the nation. Thank you very much.

Thanks so much for following our live-blog.


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