OAU Senate Commends Management On University Closure, Keeps Mum on Resumption

The Senate of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife has commended the management of the institution over the decision to shut down student activities in the institution following the students protest over the death of a final year student. The Senate described the management’s decision as prompt and proactive stressing that more lives may have been lost if actions were delayed.

At the emergency Senate meeting, which was held at Oduduwa Hall within the University campus, the Senate expressed sadness over the untimely death of Miss Adesina Aishat Omowumi, a final year student of the Department of Foreign Languages and commiserated with the family over the loss. The Senate thereafter observed a minute of silence in her memory. After that, the Senate unequivocally condemned the students’ actions and frowned on the blocking of the Ife/Ibadan and Ife/Ede highways and other adjoining roads.

In a release dated October 5th 2021 and signed by the University Registrar, M.I Omosule (Mrs), the Senate affirmed the management’s decision to shut down the school and the recommendation for putting the swearing-in of the newly elected Students’ Union officers on hold.

Furthermore, the Senate mandated that the University management set up an independent committee to look into the immediate and remote cause(s) of the students protest with a view to preventing any future occurrence. The committee is to submit its report within two weeks.

Students’ Reaction to the Release

The students of the institution have frowned at the decision of the Senate to keep mum on the resumption date as the rain semester examinations for the 2019/2020 session have been halted. The students expressed disappointment at the management’s refusal to examine the cause of the protest, instead, they focused on the protest recording no casualties. 

Many students are of the opinion that the school should resume so that students can complete their examinations and return back to their various homes as most students are still in Ile-Ife believing the school management will understand the academic calendar has already been immensely affected by the COVID-19 lockdown.