NANS Set For Action In OAU, Sets March 21 For Massive Protest

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has vowed to occupy Obafemi Awolowo University come Monday, March 21, 2016 over the non-reinstatement of the three suspended Union leaders of the citadel.

In a Press Statement issued out today and signed by the Coordinator NANS Zone D, South West, Comrade Okikiola Ogunsola, the umbrella body of students has described all diplomatic approaches used as futile and not yielding any desirable fruit, thus the body is set to occupy the institution for a massive Protest.

"The lingering issue/crises between the management of OAU, the student’s union and the three (3) unjustly suspended students’ union executives, consisting of the students’ union president, general secretary and the public relation officer respectively is no longer news to Nigeria students, Security agencies, the monarch (Ooni of Ife) and the entire public.

"It will be recalled that the leadership of NANS Zone D, mediated in the crisis when it first erupted, even before the three (3) students’ union executives were unjustly suspended. In a civilized, humble and respected manner, we called the attention of the school (OAU) management (Vice Chancellor, Dean of Students’ Affairs, ASUU executives and the Chief Security Officer), the Ooni of Ife and that of the State Director of DSS to the poor condition of living of our students in the school hostels which we (NANS ZONE D executives) witnessed, we were promised that issues raised will be immediately looked at and solved and the students’ union government will be reinstated on the condition that we cancel our proposed massive protest which was to be held on the coronation day of the Ooni of Ife. With the intervention of the Ooni of Ife, Director of DSS, the protest was canceled. To our greatest surprise, non of the issues raised were in any way solved instead three of the students’ union government executives were unjustly suspended for four semesters and six semesters respectively.

"We didn’t let our consultations noise dive, we had series of meetings all over again with the management of OAU (Vice Chancellor, Dean of Students’ Affairs, ASUU executives and the Chief Security Officer), the Ooni of Ife and the Director of DSS, who had a meeting with the Vice Chancellor on our behalf. Letters of apology were written to the management on behalf of the unjustly suspended union executives. We were promised by the management and mediators that the three unjustly suspended students’ union government executives will be called back on campus before the commencement of their final exams.

"The leadership of NANS Zone D, South West wishes to express our utmost disappointment in the management of OAU, Ife, especially the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Idowu Bamitale Omole for not been considerate and forgiven. Well, having exhausted all means of consultations to the OAU management, security agencies, the monarch and major stakeholders, the leadership of NANS Zone D, South West has resolved to embark on a mother of all protests in South West on Monday 21st, March, 2016. Its OPERATION OCCUPY OAU, though the protest will be peaceful but it will be massive as students from all campuses in South West Zone and other zones will start arriving from Sunday 20th, March, 2016 to OCCUPY OAU. We shall lock down the OAU campus till our unjustly suspended students’ union executives are called back, the students’ union government reinstated and a lasting solution is found to the poor condition of living of our students in the school hostels." NANS wrote.

OAU Hostels Collapse, Students Given Two Weeks Break

As at yesterday around 5:30pm, the roofs and ceilings of a hostel collapsed inside the Obafemi Awolowo University pre-degree campus situated in Moro.

The name of the hostel is BVER Suites commissioned less than two (2) years ago which accommodates the female students living inside the school campus.

The affected sections of the hostel include Suite 1 Block A, D and E and Suite 2 Block D, G & H. One of the lecture theatres (LT D) was also affected by the rain storm.

The collapse of the building left most students who were on their beds injured which led to them being  rushed to a nearby hospital.

OAU Management Sends Students Home
Following the collapse of these structures, the management of Obafemi Awolowo University Centre for Distance Learning has given the students a compulsory two weeks break.

Though in the Release communicating the development, it was not stated that it has anything to do with the collapsed structures but several indications asserted that the break was given so that the collapsed structures can be reconstructed.

Medical Students To Spend 11 Years In Medical School

The National Universities Commission has disclosed that medical students will henceforth spend a minimum of 10 to 11 years in school.

This was made known by the Executive Secretary of the Commission, Prof. Julius Okojie in a lecture delivered at the maiden matriculation and inauguration of the University of Medical Science, Ondo, Ondo State.

Prof. Julius Okojie who was represented by the Deputy Executive Secretary of the commission, Prof. Chiedu Mafiana, in a lectuyre titled ‘Development of Medical Education: Prospects and Challenges‘, stated that this development was imperative in order to enable the students mature psychologically for the profession.

According to him, the 2015 document for the training of medical students made provision for students to spend the first four years in studying basic sciences in university after which they would proceed to the medical school to spend another seven years.

ACJ OAU @ 45: Do More Of Campus Stories - NIJ Deputy Provost

The Deputy Provost of the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, NIJ, Mr Joseph Johnson has encouraged campus journalists in Obafemi Awolowo University to focus more on their own community and report news happenings on the campus

On Saturday, 12th of March 2016, the mother body of all Journalists in Obafemi Awolowo University, the Association Of Campus Journalist (ACJ OAU) celebrated its 45th anniversary.

The program which had in attendance the Deputy Provost Nigerian Institute of Journalism (NIJ), Mr Jide Johnson; the Campus Life Editor of the Nation Newspaper; the South-West Editor Daily Sun, Mr Yinka Fabowale amongst other distinguished dignitaries. The Program featured activities like an inter-news agencies debate, guest lectures, alumni re-union and many others.

Speaking at the event, the South-West Editor, Daily Sun, Nigeria, Mr Yinka Fabowale, spoke on the trials and travails of journalists and encouraged the aspiring Journalists on the need to spiritualize journalism; to see their work as a spiritual one that is being done for God and not the profit therein.

In his own note, Mr Joseph Johnson, Deputy Provost of the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Lagos spoke on journalists in the 21st century. He admonished journalists present at the occasion to take Obafemi Awolowo University as their own community and report news happenings on the campus. He however emphasized the need to be balanced in their reports and to be careful how they report in other not to offend authorities taking note that they are still students. Mr Wale Ajetunmobi also encouraged campus journalists to work without fear or favour, just as he reiterated his commitment to helping young and aspiring journalists develop.

Lukmon Fasasi Blog emerged winner of the inter-news agencies debate. The occasion also doubled as the swearing-in and handing over ceremony as the association transited into a new era of leadership.

Speaking to our correspondent after the event, the now former President of the association, Benjamin Adebayo expressed thanks to God for making the event a success. He appreciated invited guests for coming from far and near.  The newly sworn-in executives led by Mr Olanrewaju Oyedeji has also promised to uplift the association to the best of their capabilities.

Blackout In Academics Area Turns Night Class To Market Square

The situation of the few powered lecture theatres on Obafemi Awolowo University campus especially the biological science lecture theatres can be perfectly likened to that of a market square, courtesy of the blackout ravaging other reading venues.

Despite in the heat of examinations, for some days now, night classes have not been the best for OAU students because only few venues have power supply to light them up.

A study of situation by OAU Peeps News Agency correspondent on Monday night showed that right from the Halls of Residence towards the academics area, most places were dead dark. The popular White House including its long standing neighbour, Yellow House had no light. The three faculties standing together also at the heart of academics; Faculty of Admin, Law and Social Sciences buildings too were in blackout. The Faculty of Education and Arts buildings were also not lighted.

Coming down to biological sciences building that houses the Department of Botany, Microbiology, Zoology and Biochemistry seems to be the only location with power supply, yet "reading at the BOOB & BOOC can be worrisome, infuriating and disturbing" an obviously frustrated night reader fumed.

Some students had turned these venues to a market square where noise takes over. Some of them obviously disturbing their colleagues were seen laughing heavily as if they have been exposed to N2O, the powerful laughing gas.

A student who however spoke to our correspondent expressed disappointment at the University authority over what she described as insensitivity to students' plight on their part especially during this examination period. "I know they (Management) will later come and tell us now that the power got spoilt from Osogbo, can't the Management always get an alternative source of power especially during examination periods?" She queried.

For some days now, there has been shuffling and rotation of power supply at the academics area and Halls of residence. Moremi Hall seems to be the greatest victim of epileptic power supply in the Halls so far as they battle with blackout almost every time.

Angola Hall Warden And Excos Clash Over DSTV Subscription

The TV Sets in the common room of the Angola Hall have gone on vacation for the past few days as the monthly subscription for the DSTV remains unpaid.

According to a Release by the Hall Warden, Mr Femi Kuku, on the 7th March, 2016, he claimed that the University had paid N14,000 for the first year's subscription and according to an agreement with the 2013/2014 Ibiyemi-led administration, the Executives were now responsible for the bill. He admonished the Executives to pay the bills from the N200 collected from the inhabitants of the Hall upon resumption and even further alleged the Hall Executive Council was owing the Hall a sum of N12,000 for the replacement of the Decoder.

Responding to this via same mode, the Chairman of the Hall, Adebayo Oluwatobi a.k.a Ekiti claimed that the damaged decoder had been faulty since before the onset of his administration and even though efforts had been made to repair it. He said he had spoken with the hall warden to cut it off to avoid the payment for service they did not enjoy. He further stated that on the debt of the replaced decoder that reverse was the case as even though the hall had asked for a loan for the replacement, the management eventually disbursed the funds for the decoder in time and hence, there was and still exists no need for the Hall Executive Council to release any fund again.

Ekiti further alleged that the Hall Warden had not even paid the HEC the 40% of the Hall's IGR, which he put at N114,000 was supposed to be used for the Hall Week.

As at the time of filing this report, efforts are still in place to reach both parties to get more details on the issue. However till the issue is resolved, the stale freshmen of Angola will continue to stare at empty screens in their common room.

OAU Dramatic Art Students Disrupt Event At Pit Theartre Again

In Obafemi Awolowo University, learning and culture is our general slogan but it is disappointing that recent happening regarding Dramatic Arts students is not looking that way as some of the students of this department threw caution to the wind.

I witnessed an event today and the conduct of these students has left  me thinking loud. In a venue where people have to pay to hold events, should they be subjected to embarrassment by students of the department? It was another disappointing display by these students at the 45th Anniversary of the Association of Campus Journalists as they showed lots of characters that depicted OAU in bad image, for an event that had scholars present. It was a big embarrassment as these students said "it is our department and we own the venue even after the venue has been paid for".

The students of this department led by one Femi  unapologetically disrupted the event today and kept on causing disturbance with their music and drums at the venue even when guests from all over the country were seated in the course of the programme. In spite of several appeal to these students for consideration and understanding, they did not stop their action but threatened to beat legal occupants of the venue leaving questions of 'where is the so much cherished culture and learning championed by the institution?' on my lips.

The deed has been done for today but my major concern is that even if these students are claiming they are practicing for examination, must it cause huge embarrassment to people who paid to use Pit Theatre? If the Department of Dramatic Arts feels her student will be in dire need of the venue (Pit Theatre) at a time like this, then it should be stated that it is not available but in a case like today that students of the department disrupted events and cause much havoc to extent of drawing Guests attention to such anomaly, then it is a slap on the department.

It is high time the Head of Department called these students to order as this is not the first, second or even third time this kind of thing will be happening at Pit Theartre. People cannot be constantly disgraced by students from this department and so much efforts put in place will almost be ruined due to their believe that they are students of the department and can trample on rights.

We implore the Head of Department to use his good office to address this deteriorating practice.