OAU reinstate suspended union leaders, others

The management of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, has reinstated two students who were placed on suspension last year

The two students – Ibukun Omole, Civil Engineering, and Oluwalade Babatunde, English language – were suspended for their role in last October’s students’ protest against power outage on campus.

The Vice-Chancellor, Eyitope Ogunbodede, made announced their reinstatement during a meeting convened by the Dean of Students Affairs, Isiaka Aransi with other principal officers of the institution.

He also ordered the reactivation of the e-portal access for four students, namely Kazeem Olalekan, Oyedeji Samson, Gbenga Oloniniran, and Afolabi Samuel. The students were charged to court for harassment of staff but were last week discharged.

Also, at the meeting were members of the Association of Campus Journalists.

“I have no interest in the victimisation of any students. I love vibrant Union but should be done in a right manner,” the VC said.

“We will like to establish that the university is not in anyway interested in the victimisation of Students and we never charged any of our students to court. It was done by the state. We want our students to be of good character for smooth running of activities.”

Mr Ogunbodede however, reiterated the promise to lift the ban on the Students’ Union activities.

When asked about the fate of other former SU executives who fought over fund last year, Tosin Jacob and Adedayo Emmanuel, the VC said they had been placed on two semesters suspension.

“We cannot compromise the suspension of those who brought national disgrace to the school.”

However, reacting to this development, one of the reinstated student Omole Ibukun said: “it is not yet a victory until we are get rid of victimisation and repression on Nigerian campuses especially in OAU”.