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  • Protest rocks UI over student’s suspension

    Protest rocks UI over student’s suspension

    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.

     

     

  • UI to remain shut for one month

    UI to remain shut for one month

    Students of the University of Ibadan (UI) may wait at home for one month before returning to school as the University Senate ratified the steps taken by the management.

    Last week, the students protested what they described as “the unlawful rustication of a 500 Level Petroleum Engineering student, Tunji Epeti Michael”, who they alleged was punished for participating in a protest over lack of water and electricity on campus.

    The university debunked the claim of rusticating only Tunji Epeti Michael, saying nine students were rusticated, reprimanded or discharged from Independence Hall for either leading a protest or illegal occupation.

    An emergency Senate meeting which was presided over by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Idowu Olayinka, ratified the decision of the management to close the school.

    The Senate condemned what it called the “invasion of the university” by students of other institutions in hooded attire.

    It was gathered that Michael was supposed to be doing his six months internship when he allegedly came back to lead a protest in the Independence Hall, owing to his political ambition to become the Administrator General.

    The Vice-Chancellor said the university requires N80million monthly to maintain overhead cost and the halls of residence. It has received N42.5million for January-April.

    Olayinka said the immediate opening of the school is impossible since the Governing Council which will consider the letter of appeal against Epeti’s rustication will seat on Monday 16, May 2016 during the the decision would be communicated to the senate.

    “I have gone around the halls of residence to see what the condition is like and I know it is not up to the standard our students should be living in but what do we do when the money/overhead cost from Federal Government fall short of what we need?

    “We presently accommodate about 8,000 students in our halls of residence. There is absolutely nothing we can do without funding.

    “At this stage, it is not feasible to grant an unconditional and immediate reinstatement of Tunji Epeti Michael. His appeal would be tabled before the governing council for consideration at the next meeting that would hold during the week beginning May 16.

    “A bi-partisan ad-hoc committee will be set-up, comprising members of staff and representatives of students to work out modalities in short, medium and long terms for improvement in the provision of municipal services on campus.

    “The re-opening of the university would be contingent on the satisfactory resolution of the first two points. Management would deal speedily with the purported undue placement of fines and harassment of students by porters in the Halls,” he said.

     

     

  • UI shut indefinitely over NANS protest

    UI shut indefinitely over NANS protest

    The University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Oyo State, has been shut indefinitely. This followed a two-day protest by the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), seeking the reinstatement of a rusticated 500 Level student of Petroleum Engineering, Tunji Ekpeti Michael.

    Students left their hostels as early as 7am, singing solidarity songs and mobilising their colleagues to shut down vehicular movement within the campus.

    They also used the opportunity to protest the lack of power and water among other needs on campus.

    The protesters chased out students from lecture rooms with canes. Gates and road networks within the university were locked and barricaded. The Ajibode, Poly and second gate entrances and exits were barricaded.

    Some of the students covered their faces, others carried placards with inscriptions, such as “Unibadan, say no to victimisation”, among others.

    The Student Union Government President, Olateju Oladimeji, said: “The students started the protest as a result of injustice and the inhumane attitude of the management. The way out is that a senior member of the management should come out to address us.”

    But the university, in a statement yesterday titled: “Closure of the University due to the disturbance of peace and threat to lives and property on campus by some students of the institution (UI) and other students from nearby institutions” signed by the Registrar and Secretary to Council, Olujimi Olukoya, formally announced the closure of the school.

    The statement said: “It is evident from the events of Monday and Tuesday that some UI students and persons who claimed to be NANS members from Ladoke Akintola University  of Technology, Ogbomoso, Federal College of Education (Special), Oyo, The Polytechnic, Ibadan,  Federal Cooperative College, Eleyele, Ibadan, Federal College of Agriculture, Moor Plantation, Ibadan and Federal School of Statistics, Ibadan, are determined not only to disturb the peace and tranquility on campus, but to threaten the lives and property of the university community.

    Olukoya said: “These elements are wearing masks, thereby threatening the peace and security of innocent students  and workers.

    “Majority of these persons have been going round the campus to disrupt classes and assaulting their colleagues and lecturers. There were disruptions and vandalism at the Departments of Anatomy, Human Nutrition and Dietetics, Physics, Archaeology and Anthropology, to mention just a few.

    “It has been gathered that these persons are protesting the one semester rustication of a student, who ordinarily should have been expelled for gross misconduct, as well as power outage and inadequate provision of water, which the management is working to address.

    “Based on the foregoing and the need to protect lives and property on campus, the university management has decided, after wide consultations, that all students are to proceed on break until further notice.

    “Consequently, all students are to vacate their halls of residence and classes on or before 4pm on Tuesday, April 26.

    “Any student found in the libraries, halls of residence or classes stands the risk of outright expulsion.”

  • UI: NANS leads protest against student’s rustication

    UI: NANS leads protest against student’s rustication

    •He failed to appeal, says mgt

    The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) yesterday paralysed activities in the University of Ibadan (UI) to protest what it described as an “unjust rustication” of a 500 level student of Petroleum Engineering, Tunji Ekpeti Michael.

    The protest led to the closure of some roads within the institution. Lectures were disrupted as the protesters demanded for Michael’s unconditional reinstatement.

    The protesters called on the Students Disciplinary Committee to apologise to Michael for the psychological trauma caused to him.

    Tunji was served a one-semester rustication by the Committee for allegedly leading a protest carried out by residents of Independence Hall last semester.

    In the protest tagged: “FREEMOTE”, the students resolved to lock down the campus and continue the protest daily, until their demands were met.

    But the management, through its radio station, Diamond FM, mandated all students to be present for lectures today.

    The school’s Director of Public Communications, Olatunji Oladejo, said: “Michael broke the rules and regulations governing the conduct of the university. He was found guilty and was queried for leading a protest at the Independence Hall for lack of water and electricity.

    “The Student Affairs queried him and he appeared before a panel. He had 21 days to appeal against the order and explain himself but did not appeal. Rather than appeal, he began to disrupt school activities. This behaviour is not acceptable in a civilised society.

    “He was rusticated for a semester as recommended by the Central Disciplinary Committee (CDC) for the gravity of the offence.”

     

  • ASUU demands release of kidnapped UI worker

    ASUU demands release of kidnapped UI worker

    The Chairman of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), University of Ibadan (UI), Dr Deji Omole, has asked the Inspector-General of Police, Solomon Arase, to rescue Dr Beatrice Fabunmi, who was kidnapped in Ondo State.

    Dr Fabunmi is an ASUU member who works at the Kenneth Dike Library in the university.

    She was allegedly kidnapped at Oba-Akoko on her way to her mother in Ibilo, Edo State, last Friday.

    Her husband, Prof Martins Fabunmi, who was also kidnapped, was shot and released.

    The kidnappers are demanding N5million for her release.

    Omole said: “Where will ordinary Nigerians pass that they will be safe?

    “Our roads are death traps and since we cannot afford plane tickets, we endure the hardship only for us to be kidnapped again. This is evil and must be stopped.

    “The Inspector General of Police needs to track down those kidnappers in Ondo State and other adjoining states.

    “We in ASUU are demanding the unconditional release and safe return of one of our own.

    “The state must guarantee the security of its members.

    President Muhammadu Buhari should order security agencies to ensure Dr Fabunmi’s release within 24 hours.”

    Omole added that although the case had been reported to the police, it  was not treated with the  attention it deserves.

    “If ‘big men’ or their children are kidnapped, all the newspapers will be awash with the report but when the ‘poor man’ is kidnapped, he becomes another victim.

    “The Minister of Interior, Abdulrahman Dambazzau, should step up his act and check this insecurity.

    “The Federal Government must not force Nigerians to rise in self defence, if their security cannot be guaranteed by the state.”

  • UI matriculates 4008

    The University of Ibadan (UI) yesterday matriculated 4,008 students for the 2015/2016 session.

    A breakdown of the undergraduate admission on each faculties are: Agriculture and Forestry 408, Arts 618, Medicine 550, Education 784, Law 147, Pharmacy 90, Science 571, Technology 369, The Social Sciences 351, and Veterinary Medicine 120.

    A breakdown of undergraduate admission in each faculty – Agriculture and Forestry 408; Arts 618; Medicine 550; Education 784;  Law 147; Pharmacy 90; Science 571; Technology 369; Social Sciences 351 and Veterinary Medicine 120.

    In his welcome address at the International Conference Centre (ICC), the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Idowu Olayinka, said of the 50,000 applications received, the institution can only admit 4,008.

    The VC said of the 23,219 students who scored 200 and above and were invited for Post-UTME, 19,292 sat for the exam, of which 3,225 were given admission.

    He said an additional 783 admitted were from 2,512 applications received from direct entry candidates.

  • UI crisis: Facts, fictions and fights

    The current financial crisis rocking the University of Ibadan (UI) in which the management team says it can no longer pay some allowances, after struggling to pay salaries, clearly confirms what has always been suspected: insolvency, if not bankruptcy. Following the crash of prices of crude oil in the international market, observers had predicted that there would be tough time for the country.

    Indeed, the tough time is here. Many states across the country are not only impecunious, their workers are as indigent as their dependents who are in the poverty trap as a result of non-payment of salaries. The distress scenario is fast spreading to federal government’s agencies and institutions with major shortfall in financial allocation. This is the genesis of the on-going crisis in UI where workers are giving the new Vice Chancellor , Prof. Abel Idowu Olayinka sleepless nights over non-payment of what they called “earned allowance” for the month of February.

    This “earned allowance” which is a fallout of the 2009 agreement between the government and Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) is being paid in installment through the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), pending  when the government will reimburse the university. But with the shortfall in personnel grant released by the government, the VC had no choice but to cry out that the university will not be able to pay the allowance. The workers, under different unions, including Non Academic Staff Union (NASU), National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT) and Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) scoffed at the dilemma, insisting that the allowance must be paid. They believe that UI has the wherewithal to pay the money.

    Determined to douse tension, Prof. Olayinka in a release dated February 22, explained the financial situation to the workers, citing paucity of funds as his headache. According to him, In 2015, the institution received N932,714,026.24 from January up to November. In December 2015, the allocation on personnel cost was drastically reduced to N663,972,634.60 – a reduction of N268,741,391.64. He stated that the shortfall accounted for why deductions for the month of December 2015 could not be paid to all deserving cooperative societies and unions.

    For the month of January, instead of a monthly allocation of N1,080,954,864.75, the institution got N782,346,495.95, a reduction of N298,608,369.16 – the reason it could not meet up with 100 percent  of its commitment on personnel cost .

    Unfortunately, the workers believe that there is money in the system to pay the allowance. However, since the union leadership appears to know better than the ordinary members, a congress was called in which members of the three unions, excluding Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) were enjoined to converge on the main entrance of the university. As early as 7am, staff members had taken over the place, itching to be updated. The gates had been locked as usual. The vehicular movement had been effectively paralyzed.

    Wale Akinremi who spoke on behalf of other leaders, called the vice chancellor Prof. Olayinka unprintable names. Much sadder still, and more disappointing was the way he spoke with mannerisms of a street fighter, boasting with garage argot “ Omo Igboro l’emi o, mo de le ba anybody loju  je. Wa sa kaba kaba” roughly translated to mean “I am from down town and I can dent anybody’s face, you will run in defeat.

    This is indeed a sad commentary on civility, coming from a decent academic environment of Ibadan status. It is impertinence of the worst kind which must be condemned by all men and women of good moral standing. By the way, how did Mr. Akinremi emerge as SSANU chairman of Ibadan chapter? Well, what do we expect when decent people avoid politics and unionism like a plaque, leaving just any character to parade himself as chairman? One had thought Akinremi was too well bred and too fine a person to make a public display of such appalling bad manners, more so when he is said to have read Law from a sister’s institution. Beauty is truly skin deep. How else is indiscipline spelt?

    Respect for elders is one of the cardinal imperatives of our traditional customs. Anyone who could be audacious enough to make the UI VC the butt of his public grandiloquence, calling him unprintable names and describing him as “bastard” simply lacks good breeding.  Such a person doesn’t deserve to lead a union. A union leader who is worth his salt must employ cultured language and definitiveness of logic to fight his battle. Decent use of language is, to me, a maturity index. Importantly, linguistic competence dictates that one must be familiar with principles of politeness in spoken discourse. Insulting the VC, pelting him with a satchet of pure water as someone reportedly did at an earlier meeting is not only satanic, but repugnant to good conscience. It is a desecration of culture of civilization.

    Perhaps it is relevant to ask for Prof. Olayinka’s offence in all of this. Is he the one who caused economic crisis? Did the VC get more allocation than he has disclosed? Akinremi alleged that Prof. Olayinka did not behave as his predecessor, Prof. Isaac Folorunso Adewole! Haba! No two individuals are ever the same. Not even twins who passed through the same womb. In 2009, the late President Umaru Yar’Adua offered amnesty to the Niger Delta boys and achieved peace. The former President Olusegun Obasanjo had approached the same problem with force and failed. Does it mean Yar’Adua was the wisest president ever? Does it mean Obasanjo did not succeed in other areas? Every leader comes to the stage with his peculiar style and flavour. Therefore, it is invidious comparing Olayinka with his predecessor.

    Again, the VC was accused of reporting the union leaders to the security agents, the move which they said exacerbated the crisis. However, going by Akinremi’s pugnacious conduct and sadistic temperament, only a VC who will like to see UI burn will not report to the Directorate of State Security. Here is a supposed union leader who has created an impression that there is no evil from hell that is too heinous for him to sprinkle on his perceived enemies. Clearly, the threat deserves the attention of the Commander-in-Chief in Abuja!

    It is obvious that Prof. Olayinka has been unjustifiably maligned and publicly denigrated. He deserves apologies. Although that is part of the sacrifices he has to make as the 12th UI VC, he nonetheless deserves respect. His office as well commands regard of those who truly cherish intellectualism. Here is a man who has been demonstrating admirable maturity and wisdom since he took over on December 1, 2015, the mindset you associate with humble and confident learner-leader. He remains the leader to be proud of. He is the symbol of our collective academic excellence and achievement. Why then should anybody take joy in disparaging him?

    However, the earlier the workers in UI adjust their budgets to the current economic reality in the country the better. Manna does not fall in perpetuity. Heaven will not fall if the government directed the management to reduce the workforce by 30 or 40 percent because there is no money to pay everyone. Many will lose their jobs. They won’t be able to protest and lock gates.  Already, many state governments have started retrenching. Who says federal government cannot do the same? It is better we don’t push our luck too far. Incessant strikes over agitation for sundry allowance should be checked. It may sound stupid to those who have capacity to challenge their opponents to a roadside brawl, and dance naked in a market place, the fact is that the universities across the country should watch it.

     

    • Saanu is of the Directorate of Public Communication, University of Ibadan.
  • Protest grounds activities at UI

    Protest grounds activities at UI

    The University of Ibadan (UI) has suspended its planned matriculation for the 2015/2016 academic session earlier scheduled for today.

    This followed the protest by non-academic staff unions over non-remittance of deductions and unpaid agreed allowance.

    The university had reportedly received a shortfall from federal allocations. It was gathered that the shortfall since November 2015 is now close to N1billion.

    The unions mobilised members and shut the gates.

    The Vice Chancellor, Prof Idowu Olayinka, said the management told all unions that the university is having a shortfall in its personnel cost, making payment of some allowances difficult.

    Olayinka said the total personnel cost is about N932million monthly.

    The University received N663million in December and N782 million in January and February.

    He noted that the allowances being clamoured for by the unions amounted to about N76 million monthly, which is unrealistic in view of the present financial crisis facing the institution.

    The VC said some students while trying to flee the orientation venue got injured.

    He said it was better to have over 3,500 students safe than going ahead with the matriculation and risking their lives.

    The orientation programme for the new students holding at the International Conference Centre was disrupted as the unions stormed the venue and switched off the power supply to the hall.

    As the union members moved into the hall, the students, who were seated, were chased out with chairs turned upside down.

    The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) Chairman, Wale Akinremi, criticised the administrative style of the management, saying it was not democratic enough.

    Although the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) was not part of the protest, its members were forced to park their vehicles outside the campus and walked to their offices.

  • UI withdraws 97 students

    UI withdraws 97 students

    The Senate of the University of Ibadan (UI) has approved the withdrawal of 97 students for failure to obtain the minimum academic requirements at the end of the 2014/15 session.

    The students were from seven faculties. The expelled students were at various levels, including final year.

    A bulletin by the Registrar, Olujimi Olukoya, said some of the students had lapsed studentship. Three voluntarily withdrew.

    It reads: “Senate at its meeting recently approved that the candidates whose names appear on this list should withdraw from the university for failure to obtain the minimum academic requirements at the end of the 2014/2015 session.”

    The National Universities Commission (NUC) has ranked the university first in its latest 2015 ranking.

    The first five positions were dominated by first generation universities- University of Lagos (second), University of Benin (third), Obafemi Awolowo University (fourth) and Ahmadu Bello University (fifth).

    The ranking showed that the University of Ilorin is sixth and University of Jos (seventh).

    Others are University of Port Harcourt (eighth), University of Maiduguri (ninth), Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (10th), Lagos State University (11th) Federal University of Technology, Owerri (12th), Covenant University (13th), University of Nigeria (14th), Federal University of Technology Akure (15th), Nnamdi Azikiwe University (16th), Pan African University (18th); Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso (19th) and Modibbo Adama University of Technology, Yola (20th).

    The Vice Chancellor, Prof Abel Idowu Olayinka, said the university is working towards ranking among the top five in Africa in the next few years.

    Prof Olayinka said the premier university is positioned to achieve the feat owing to its highly developed postgraduate school with the highest number of Masters and Doctoral students in Sub-Saharan Africa.

  • UI gives farmers 150,000 fingerlings

    UI gives farmers 150,000 fingerlings

    the Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture, University of Ibadan (UI), has distributed 150, 000 fingerlings to fish farmers in Oyo State.

    At the ceremony, the head of department, Prof Bamidele Omitoyin, said the project was done in collaboration with the West African Agricultural Productivity Programme WAAPP (Nigeria) and the Agricultural Development Programme (ADP).

    He thanked the farmers for believing in the department, saying that the project will lead to the growth of fish farming in the country.

    The Vice-Chancellor, Prof Idowu Olayinka, said he was happy because the project became imperative as “oil is failing us as a nation and gradually there has been a talk about diversification. Various agribusinesses have started springing up”. According to the VC, who was represented by the Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry, Prof Eustace Iyayi, the department is one of the flagship departments in the faculty and one of the best in aquaculture in the country.

    Beneficiaries got 70, 000 fingerlings during the first phase while another set got 80, 000 fingerlings in the second phase.

    Chairperson of Catfish Farmers Association of Nigeria (CAFAN) in Oyo State Mrs Awoyomi Kolade said she was excited about the empowerment, assuring that “it is going to benefit us a lot”.