AAUA crises continue as student beg for reduction in 15,000 reparatory fee

UNEASY calm presently pervades the 17 year old Adekunle
Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko, owned by the Ondo State
Government. In the last one month, all has not been well
with the institution following a disagreement among the
university management, students and the Akungba
community, which hosts the institution. Named after the
former governor of the state, Chief Adekunle Ajasin, the
institution has been enmeshed in avoidable crisis in the last
one month.
Within the space of one month the institution had witnessed
an upheaval that led to its closure. As if that was enough, the
university authority has released names of students in
various levels that were expelled and suspended indefinitely
for alleged cult activities, exam malpractices and alleged
destruction of the institution's properties during a violent
protest.
In all, 23 students who are in their third year, were
suspended indefinitely for their involvement in cult activities
and destruction of the university properties while six others
were expelled for examination misconduct and
impersonation.
The students on April 9, went on rampage when a 200 level
student of the department of Economic Education in the
institution, Ojo Afolabi Daniel died during an accident
involving two commercial motorcycle operators popularly
called Okada.
But the student union leaders have dissociated the students
from the rampage which destroyed the institution's
properties and that of individuals in their host community.
They fingered miscreants, who hijacked the students'
peaceful protest to wreck havoc in the community. Over 40
persons including students were arrested and detained by
police after the bloody protest.
Vanguard gathered that what infuriated the students, leading
to the eventual violent protest was the cause of death of
their colleague, who was conveyed in the university
ambulance to the Federal Medical Centre, Owo for medical
attention.
Students protest
The aggrieved students protest was however reportedly
hijacked by some miscreants and this led to the destruction
of the university health centre, the restaurant and shops.
Properties belonging to some individuals within the
community, were either looted or destroyed by the
protesters.
It took the intervention of the regent of Akungba Akoko,
Princess Oluwatoyin Omosowon, who assured the school
authorities that the community would not launch reprisal
attacks on the students upon resumption at campus before
the authorities of the University announced that the student
should resume next week Monday. Reports had it that fear
had gripped the University authorities and the students that
their host community may transfer their aggression
following the mayhem unleashed on the people during the
protest.
Dispelling the speculations of a reprisal attack, Princess
Omosowon told the University Management led by the Vice
Chancellor, Prof Igbekele Ajibefun who visited her that “I
want to state unequivocally that there is no truth in such a
report. Though some members of the community are
aggrieved over the unwarranted attack on them and the
disruption of their lawful trading and economic activities, no
one is planning any attack whatsoever. I want to assure the
university community that my people are not planning any
attack on the students. They are our children.”
Omosowon was quick to add that “I have appealed to my
people that what happened was one of the prices we have to
pay for hosting the university that has brought a lot of
economic and social changes to the town.” In his response,
Prof Ajibefun commended the people of Akungba
community for showing restraint in dealing with the protest
which he said was hijacked by miscreants.
Damages levy
Another showdown seems to be brewing as the students are
poised to reject the imposition of N25,000 damages levy/
reparation fees on each of the over 15,000 students of the
institution. They have vowed to resist the extortion by the
institution arguing that the amount they are asked to pay as
reparation levy, was not commensurate with the properties
destroyed during the protest.
Speaking with Vanguard, the Student Union President in the
institution, Adegbola Oluyemi said the money was on the
high side and pleaded with the school management to
review it downwards. He said: “We are appealing to the
school to look into the money, it is too much, cutting the
head is not the solution to headache, we are also calling on
the governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko to wade into this matter,
we don’t want to protest again but the school should reduce
the money.”
VC talks tough
The Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof Ajibefun has
vowed that criminal elements masquerading as students
would not be awarded the University’s certificate so that the
name of the university is not tarnished. According to him,
“the Management of the institution is committed to
positioning the University among the best globally.”
Meanwhile, a statement issued by the institution acting
registrar, Sunday Ayeerun said that the reparation fees has
been slashed from N25,000 to N15,000.
Ayeerun said this was done by the Management after “due
consideration of passionate pleas by well-meaning Nigerians
and, most especially, the leadership of the Students’ Union
of the university, who demonstrated a high level of maturity
and responsibility. Management has decided to reduce the
N25, 000 reparation fee earlier charged in respect of the
April 9 students’ violent protest to N15, 000.”
He asked the students present evidence of payment and a
copy of sworn Affidavit to be of good behaviour at the Faculty Office to obtain Clearance Certificate from Monday,
May 16 to Friday, May 20, 2016. However some students
spoken with insisted that the N15,000 was still on the high
side and appealed that it should be reviewed downward to
between N5,000 and N10, 000 per student.