Following the violent protest by students of the Oyo State College of Education, Lanlate, the management and students union government have come out to give their own sides of the story.
While the management said that the students were sponsored against them, the students noted that dangerous animals have been attacking them due to the bushy and unkempt state of the institution’s environment.
Management Speaks:
STUDENT PROTEST AT LANLATE: A RUSE
Academic and social atmosphere until Thursday, 5 Nov 2020 had been serene for students of the Oyo state College of Education, Lanlate. For staff unions, it had been a running battle with the College Management mainly on account of non – payment of annual salary incremental which had been outstanding from 2016, 2017 and 2018.
The demand for the payment of these allowances had taken different turns and dimensions, the last of which had culminated in the intervention by the Governing Council of the College. Continued dialogue and engagement were still ongoing and this resulted in summons issued to the College Management by the Governing Council on Tuesday 3 Nov 2020 and another one issued to the staff unions on 5 Nov 2020 both of which took place at the Board room of the Oyo state ministry of Education, Science and Technology at the Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan.
By the night of same Thursday shortly after the meeting with the unions, the serene atmosphere gave way and students started moving about in groups that indicated contemplation of protest. Management proactively wasted no time and declared a mid – semester break to forestall the impending protest. This, however, did not deter the students who, in disregard to the directive, proceeded on a violent demonstration on Friday, 6 Nov, 2020 destroying many College and other private individuals property in the process.
Surprised individuals who demanded from the students the reason for their action learnt that they were demanding an end to the administration of the College Provost and his Management team because he was owing the College workers allowances.
By Monday morning again, the students resumed the demonstration making bonfire and disrupting vehicular traffic on the road outside the gate of the College. This time, however, the reason for the protest has suddenly changed to “outrageous fees charged by the college, sexual harassment by the Dean of Student Affairs, bushy College environment with invasion by wild animals during lectures” among other spurious allegations.
While the College Management would not wish to rush into any hasty conclusion, it wishes to assure of its zero tolerance for all acts of misconduct from any quarter. There has not been any report of any sexual harassment against anyone. Any student who has any case of harassment against anyone should feel free to write a report and there are appropriate machinery that would investigate and ensure that justice is served accordingly.
The College Management wishes to assure that it charges one of the lowest school fees in the country, in consonance with the directive of the Governor Seyi Makinde – led administration and payment of all fees is made into the Treasury Single Account (TSA) of the Oyo state government; so there is no outrageous fees charged by the college. Any demand for any payment other than that into the Treasury Single Account should be reported immediately.
Students are also encouraged to pick up their ID cards that have been lying down ready for collection at the Student Affairs office while those who are yet to undertake their photo capture for the student ID card should approach the schedule officer at the ICT and collect their ID card not later than one week after the capture.
Signed:
Sunday Adeniyi Jolaoso,
Public Relations Officer,
OYSCOED, Lanlate.
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The students in a statement signed by the Students Union Government (SUG) President, Muhammad Yusuf Olaitan, also called for the resignation of the Dean of the students affairs of the institution over alleged sexual harassment.
The SUG President in the statement made available to journalists on Monday, said, “Fellow Nigerian students, our college has been in existence for more than fifteen years, but, it has been badly managed in the greater part of these years.
“Despite charging an outrageous sum of Three Thousand Naira (N3,000) cumulatively, the management has refused to issue any form of identification to students, exposing us to harassment and denying us scholarships opportunities.
“In the twenty-first century, students are unable to check their results online and print course forms despite paying for this every semester.
“We are required to pay Eight Thousand Naira (#8,000) in 100 level, and Three Thousand Naira in 200 and 300 level each, yet no noticeable development can be seen.
“The school environment is bushy and unkempt with dangerous animal attacking students during lectures.
“The Dean of Student Affairs who is expected to act as a father takes pleasure in having sexual relationships with female students and threatening to withhold student’s results
“Fellow Nigeria Students, as we continue the protest tomorrow, I urge us to remain steadfast and peaceful. Our demand remains the immediate resignation of the Provost and Dean of Student Affairs”.
