LAUTECH SU Back; Students In Final Year Since 2015 Eventually Close To Exit

The management of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomosho, has lifted the ban on the activities of the students’ union in the school, an official has confirmed.

“The university management is pleased to tell the students that their union is fully  back,” said the school’s Dean of Students’ Affairs, L. A Jimoba, speaking with CAMPUS REPORTER on Thursday.

“We only want our students to be of good character. We are not enemies of the union and that is the reason for the suspension earlier. In as much as the student can promise a peaceful atmosphere, we are fine with students union,” added Mr. Jimoba.

The SU was suspended last year, following the violence linked to the outcome of the June 3, 2016 students’ election in the school.    

School facilities and SUG bus were reportedly burnt amid the violence.

Mr. Jimoba further disclosed that the leadership of the parliament had been asked to consider a review of the constitution of the SU to check future crisis.

“We have advised the speaker of the Parliament and other leadership of the students’ parliament to amend the constitution properly,” said Mr. Jimoba.  “Once their house is intact, we know our university will be a peaceful environment. The university recognises the Speaker of the Parliament as the leader of the union and we expect a responsible union till a fresh election will be conducted.”

In interview with our correspondent, the speaker of the parliament, Adeoti Abd-Hafeez from Civil Engineering department, urged the students of the school to cooperate with his administration to achieve success.

He said: “We took over the union at a pitiable and deplorable state. However, rejuvenating the union is sacrosanct. Since an embargo was placed on our union, a lot of irregularities have taken place and we hope to find lasting solution via peaceful dialogue.

“With their support, there is no limit to what this administration can achieve as we are all highly expectant of a formidable union after long time.”

LAUTECH just recently reopened for academics, after a long paralysis that drew attention of the country, as a consequence of the disagreement of between staff and the owners of the school – the governments of Oyo and Osun States. 

Students of the school, unable to move to higher classes since 2015, became subjects of nationwide sympathies, with the National Assembly urging the Federal Government to intervene. 

But with the resumption, students who have been in final year since 2015 are currently defending their dissertations, getting close to exit from the school, after at least seven years for five-year programmes.