OAU MANAGEMENT REINSTATES STUDENTS AFTER MONTHS OF SUSPENSION.

Alfred Olufemi

The Vice chancellor of Obafemi Awolowo University, Professor Eyitope Ogunbodede,  has pronounced the immediate reinstatement and the opening of portal of some of the suspended students.

This newspaper reported the suspension and the blocking of the portal page of Gbenga Oloniniran, a part 4 student and Oyedeji Samson, a Pharmacy student, as a result of the court case against the Five students, who resisted the March 21 eviction of students from a hall of residence.

Also, the suspension of Oluwalade Babatunde and Omole Ibukun sequel to the protest staged last year October against a black-out on campus, OAU KILONSHELE reported. While two students, Afolabi Samuel and Kazeem Olalekan had their portals blocked for no reason by the management.

This was revealed in a stakeholder meeting of the University principal  officers, NANS zonal Secretary, suspended students and members of the Association of Campus Journalists (ACJ ).

"We are not interested in the appeal as some suggested. The matriculation oath, which you swore to states that you will be responsible students and be of good conduct." Ogunbodede said.

I'm not uninterested in Jailing any student. The state took them to court. 

If anything happens after this, I told those that pleaded on your behalf that I won't inform them of my next actions.

Speaking on the University regulations and citing the example of Kunle Adebajo, the rusticated student journalist of the university of Ibadan, he added that asides the two semester suspension stipulated for campus journalists who publish false articles, others who err through this will be expelled.

"It's left for the university to be bold to take such steps."

Some of the university officers also reacted to the latest development. 

"Any subversive publication against the management tarnishes the image of the university which will affect all members of the university community at ." Mr Oyatokun, the Chief security officer commented.

The Dean of Students Affairs, Isiaka Aransi, also affirmed that the case was struck out of the court for want of diligent prosecution and that students should visit his office for any complaints.

"I operate an open-door policy. Students should channel their grievances to the right quarters."

However, it was made known by the VC that the reinstatement does not affect the two former union executives, Adedayo Emmanuel and Jacob Grace, who fought last year October as reported by this newspaper.

"They should all be reinstated except for the two union excos who headbutted and broke bottles and they've been rusticated for two semester's. We are not going back on that."

The reinstated students in an interview with our correspondent  disclosed their anticipation for the opening of their online portal pages so as to register the courses for harmattan semester.

Afolabi Alawode said "I'm waiting for the opening of my portal. I'm happy."

Omole Ibukun added that the Federal Government should work on the reinstatement of other student activist and students suspended unjustly in Nigerian universities.