OAU Shut Over Students’ Protest

management of the Obafemi Awolowo University on Wednesday announced the indefinite closure of the university following the protest from the students over the hike in the school fees.

The Public Relations Officer of OAU, Mr. Abiodun Olanrewaju, in a statement explained that the management decided to shut down the institution in order to prevent a breakdown of law and order.

The statement read, “The Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, wishes to announce to the general public that due to persistent and violent disruption of normal activities and peace on campus occasioned by unrelenting demonstrations by students, led by the Student Union Government executive, the Senate of the University has decided to close down the university indefinitely.

“This decision was taken in order to forestall further breakdown of law and order and to safeguard life and property on campus.

“Consequently, all students are directed to vacate their halls of residence and the university premises immediately but not later than 4pm on Thursday, June 19, 2014.

“All parents and guardians are hereby enjoined to ensure that their children and wards comply with this directive immediately.”

But the President of the SUG, Mr. Isaac Ibikunle, said that the students would not leave the campus.

He said that the protest was peaceful, adding that the decision to close down the school was tyrannical.

He said, “What do they mean by violent demonstration? We did not burn down any structure or vandalise any vehicle. It is not true that the protest was violent.”

The students, however, continued with their protest on Wednesday as they chased out officials of the university from their offices.

The students, who had converged on the campus around 7am, were said to have made their way to the Senate Building of the institution carrying placards before they besieged the administrative blocks on campus and chased workers, mostly non-academic, out of their offices.

It was gathered that the main entrance gate of the university was locked, thus preventing inflow and outflow of human and vehicular movements to the campus.

The students started the protest against the new fee regime since about a month ago and had promised to continue until the university management discarded the decision.