Crisis Looms In OAU As Students Vows Not To Follow Management Order

A crisis is in the offing at the Obafemi Awolowo Unversity, Ile-Ife, Osun State. At the centre of the looming crisis is  the planned Nigeria Universities Games.

The event scheduled to hold at the institution between February 12 and 22 has witnessed two postponements due to inadequate facilities, improper logistics and the five-month strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities, among other factors .

Our correspondent, however, gathered on Monday that  the bone of contention is the provision of accommodation for the participants in the competition.

The OAU management, it was gathered, has reportedly directed students to vacate their hostels on or before February 7 to enable the NUGA participants to use the facility.

But the directive appears not to have gone down well with the students who have condemned the decision.

Some of the students, who spoke to our correspondent, said the directive would disrupt the peace of the university.

A student, who simply gave his name as Aiyekooto, said, “In the first instance, NUGA is meant for university students, not for only athletes or university management. So, where is the sense in alienating the host students who are expected to add glamour to this event?”

Also, students, who reside in the Angola Hall of the university, swore not to vacate the hostel because of the games. They said their tenancy in the hostel would end after their second semester examinations between April and May.

Part of their communiqué after the meeting read, “The gathering condemned in strong terms the plan by the school management to force students out of the halls of residence. Students paid for a session-long accommodation. So, it is irrational for a landlord to temporarily evacuate his tenants because he is expecting some guests.

“The University of Ilorin and Federal University of Technology hosted the West Afica University Games and NUGA at different times, without sending their students away. The university authorities made alternative arrangement for the visiting athletes who came from across West Africa. Why must OAU be different?

“The militarisation of the campus  is  greeted with rebuke from the students. Records have it that we have been responsible. Even during the struggle (for restoration of student  union), unlike other institutions, we did not burn buildings or harass others. So there is no reason for the management to militarise our campus. This is unconstitutional and unacceptable.”

Also, a group, known as the Education Right Campaign, in a letter to the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Bamitale Omole, and other top management officials, has called for caution on the issue.

The ERC said, “We condemn the idea that students will be forced out of residential halls during NUGA. For us, NUGA is a sporting event meant for students. But the preparation of the university to turn host students out during this game is portraying an opposing point of view.

“We also wish to call your attention to the risks involved in unprepared travels, especially if the deadly state of our roads is considered. The ERC opines that the decision to force students out of residential halls was considered out of the interest of the students and undemocratically reached.”

When contacted, the Chief Security Officer of the university, Mr. Paul Ogidi, said the management was not planning to ‘militarise’ the institution.

He said, “We have been meeting all stakeholders as we are expecting over 7, 000 athletes. As you know, it will attract national attention.  It will also attract national security apparatuses, including the riot policemen, members of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Man ‘O War, Red Cross and students’ volunteers.

“We are going to have a  large turn-out of participants and you know that the country is faced with insurgencies from militant groups. We cannot afford to allow any security breach. Terrorist groups may want to use the opportunity to strike because a large number of people will gather here for the sporting event.”

Meanwhile, the university authority has said the games will still hold in the institution as scheduled.

According to its Public Relations Officer, Mr. Abiodun Olarewaju, so far an Olympic-sized swimming pool, eight-lane modern tartan track, sports halls, drainage systems, among other facilities, are ready for the event.

He said, “When we decided to build a new track for the school, we looked beyond the NUGA because we want something that would serve the school and the country long after the games. We are happy that we have this swimming pool and the modern tracks, which those who know have confirmed as the best you can get anywhere in the world.”

Can Crisis: We May Not Own Jet, But We Are Men Of Unquestionable Character , pastors Blast Oritsejafor

Members of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, from the Niger Delta, under the aegis of Global Peace Relief Initiative, led by Prophet Jones Erue, have slammed President of the association, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, over what they described as the unacceptable comments made against them, following their attempts to reconcile the G-7 governors with the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

In a statement, yesterday, by the group, the Niger Delta pastors described Oritsejafor’s comment to the effect that CAN was apolitical, as laughable, accusing the CAN President of getting involved in politics of calumny and name dropping.

“We are disappointed that a leader could sit and watch his two children fight while the rest of us suffer only to come and blackmail those who take their time to seek solutions to the crisis,” the group said, warning that no amount of blackmail or intimidation would deter them from the noble mission of rescuing the country from imminent collapse.

“It is surprising that Pst Ayo Oritsejafor, the CAN president will handle issues of immense gravity and national importance hastily, with levity and without discretion. The first and easiest thing to know about a man is his name; it is a pity that the CAN president does not know the name of the group of clerics he is addressing nor their affiliates.

“Expecting him to have minimal knowledge on what they stand for, will be tantamount to exerting too much pressure on his aging gray matter. We are begging his aides and personal assistants to do their job well and stop exposing this great man of God to disrepute.

“These eminent clerics and their affiliate, Global Peace and Relief Initiative have taken on a laudable project of consulting across all interest group and stakeholders concerning the Nigerian project. Nigeria is the only country we can call our own and as fathers we cannot fold our hands and watch intolerance and impunity destroy our nation.

“To place the records straight, we have not made promises to any persons and we have not used the name of CAN, we have an affiliate whose mission and vision best defines our activity. We are noble men and do not rail accusation on authorities.

“It is a pity that the handlers of the CAN president have allowed miscreants, to drag him into a show of shame, misinformed the press and overlaboured the corporate affairs commission with a futile search.

“If we may ask, whose registration were they authenticating? A group they barely know its name? This is a faith based Non Governmental Organisation, NGO, with memberships spread across the nation. Our main business is advocacy, conflict prevention/ resolution and facilitation of peace projects whether individual, group, organisation or government. We create a good soil for developmental projects and people oriented policies to thrive

“For the CAN president to say CAN is apolitical is laughable, as the same president is involved in politics of calumny and name dropping.

“The CAN’s statement as reported by the media does not represent the facts on ground but a mere imagination. Calling names at this critical period of the nation’s political development does not represent the responsibility expected of a great leader of Pastor Ayo Oritsejeafor’s capacity.

“We want to place it on record that the Bishops and Clerics in this body may not own private jets but are men of unquestionable character, dependable leaders, and stewards of peace and holders of reputable degrees. The leader of this group Prophet Jones Ode Erue is a highly respected both in political and religious circles. Many people have benefited from the peace initiatives by this great icon since 2002 till date.

“When men lack purpose and relevance, rather than encourage others with vision and purpose they become detractors of good and well meaning Nigerians. “ We are disappointed that a leader could sit and fold his hands and watch his two children fight while the rest of us suffer only to come and blackmail those who take their time to seek solutions to the crisis.

“The forum wishes to state emphatically that no amount of cheap blackmail or intimidation can deter it from this noble mission to rescue the country from the imminent collapse which can be averted. “We are duty bound to restore peace and unity to our dear country, Nigeria.

“We will continue with the ongoing consultation with all stake holders in the task of putting Nigeria back to the road, to national unity and development,” the statement read.