Students of the University of Ibadan (UI) have protested against the suspension of Michael Tunji-Ekpeti, a 500-Level Petroleum Engineering student, for a semester for allegedly instigating a protest against management last November. The protest led to the school’s closure. The students have suspended the protest following management’s decision to reinstate Michael on May 15. TAIWO ADEBULU reports.
IT all started as complaints before it snowballed into a protest that lasted for three days. Before the university community knew what was happening, activities had been paralysed on the campus.
The tiff, which started at the Independence Hall of Residence of the University of Ibadan (UI) became full blown on the campus within the twinkling of an eye.
The protest was against management’s decision to rusticate Michael Tunji-Ekpeti, a 500-Level Petroleum Engineering student, who allegedly led a protest against the school last November. A Students’ Disciplinary Committee (SDC) sanctioned Michael for breaching the oath of matriculation and he was suspended for a semester.
The protesters condemned management’s action, saying Michael was being victimised. The students called for his unconditional reinstatement as a condition for the restoration of peace.
The protesters partly covered their faces with pieces of clothe some of them were armed with clubs. They blocked major roads on the campus with pieces of broken furniture and moved from one department to another to stop lectures.
They barricaded the school main gate, preventing entry and exit. In their resolve to continue the protest, they moved their stoves and pots to the gate where they cooked and served their colleagues food. When it was time for the Muslims among them to pray, the Christians shielded them while the prayer lasted. The gathering also served as a platform for Students’ Union leaders to speak on happenings in the school.
The protesters’ action led to the indefinite closure of the school. In a statement by the Vice-Chancellor (VC), Prof Idowu Olayinka, management said the decision was necessary to prevent a breakdown of order. The VC told the students to leave the campus.
The students defied him, describing his directive as a joke. Students’ Union leaders went round the Halls of Residence to mobilise students for another demonstration.
It was learnt that management accused the Southwest leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) of instigating the protest in which school properties were allegedly destroyed.
In a telephone interview with our correspondent, NANS Southwest coordinator Okiki Olusola said the union was involved in the protest, but denied instigating violence and destruction of properties.
He said: “We are part of the struggle. It is the role of NANS to fight any form of injustice on any of its members across higher institutions. We have made our demands for the unconditional and immediate reinstatement of Michael Tunji-Ekpeti. If our demands are not met, we’ll relocate our office to UI.”
CAMPUSLIFE gathered that Michael was recommended for one-semester rustication by SDC. Michael was said to have led students living in Independence Hall in a protest to draw management’s attention to epileptic power supply and water scarcity. But, Michael denied leading the protest, saying he participated in it in solidarity with his colleagues.
A management source said Michael was roped in by some unnamed students in a petition. It was learnt that the hall warden, Dr James Ajagunna, was annoyed that a non-occupant of the hall led the protest against the school.
A statement by the Registrar, Mr Olujimi Olukoya, said Michael should have been expelled for gross misconduct, but was suspended for a semester as a warning. In a radio interview monitored by our correspondent, the school’s Director of Public Communication, Mr Olatunji Oladejo, said Michael was sanctioned for violating his matriculation oath.
When our correspondent visited the campus following its closure, students were seen in some Halls of Residence. A female student, who spoke with our correspondent, said there was no way she could go back to Kaduna where she lives.
Another female student, who simply identified herself as Tinu, said: “The Vice-Chancellor came to our hostel yesterday (last Thursday). He asked us why we didn’t leave. This is the hostel we paid for. So, it is wrong for the VC to ask us to go back home.”
An enraged male student, who did not want to be named, said: “I am not ready to leave this campus until the injustice against one of us is addressed. The management’s approach to the protest is not the best. They want us to keep quiet when there is no water and electricity supply in our hostels. How do they expect us to read? Are they even sensitive to our psychological need? These are people who fought against the Federal Government during their time over half-chicken and inadequate food they were served. They should not try to muzzle us.”
Some female students on their way out of the campus shouted: “We are tired of this school. We did not have water for six weeks at Obafemi Awolowo Hall and no one showed concern. We decided to contribute money to buy and install a pumping machine so that we can get water. Days later, our hall executive members were threatened with expulsion if they didn’t remove the pumping machine. What kind of school is this?”
In a statement by its Public Relations Officer, Ayantola Alayande, the Students’ Union said it would not stop the protest until Michael’s rustication is reversed. He said: “We will like to state categorically that if the unjust verdict of the SDC is not reversed, the students will continue to demonstrate against the callous verdict through a peaceful, non-violent but massive protest which is our legitimate tool for justice.”
The union leaders and NANS representatives met with management last Saturday. CAMPUSLIFE gathered that management agreed to set up a 13-man committee to assess facilities in the hostels. The meeting’s outcome has calmed the aggrieved students, who have suspended their protest.
In a telephone interview with our correspondent, the union president, Oladimeji Olateju, said management promised to reinstate Michael on May 15.
But, his fate will be decided at a Senate meeting holding on Tuesday.
