The management of the University of Ibadan(UI) has assured the students of its commitment to their welfare by addressing some of the issues raised during the recent protest staged on the campus
This followed a show of dissatisfaction displayed by students, where they barricaded the main gate of the institution over what they described as hardships that they are subjected to on campus.
The president of the Students ‘ Union, Bolaji Aweda, at a meeting with the management, listed the complaints to include rationing of electricity on campus, hike in fees, sale of handouts, GES textbooks being made compulsory, poor welfare conditions, poor attention being given in the UHS, victimisation of students who earlier in the year protested the hike in fees and inadequate security for the lives of the students on the campus.
Addressing the students, the deputy vice chancellor (administration), Professor Peter Olapegba, who spoke on behalf of the management of the institution, empathised with the students, explaining that the management was being hampered by inadequate funds.
According to him, the university presently pays over N80 million monthly for electricity, adding that the intention of the IBEDC to move the institution to Band A would mean that it will now be paying N280 million per month.
He therefore noted that the memo that instigated the protest did not emanate from the management and that it had no plans to ration electricity as it was being circulated.
The deputy VC emphasised that the university does not charge tuition and that the hike in charges is in consonance with current economic realities of the nation, noting that the issue of hike in charges will be addressed by the institution’s governing council at its next meeting.
He stated in strong terms that “it is an illegal act for any lecturer to sell handouts in the University of Ibadan,” requesting that the students should provide evidence of such.
According to Professor Olapegba, UI is committed to improving the conditions of living of its students adding that the management has been going cap in hand to mobilise the alumni, friends, and benefactors to make donations to the institution in order to improve the students’ condition on the campus.
Addressing the issue of victimisation of students who had earlier in the year protested the hike in fees, stated that “the UI has not in any way victimised any students, all we have done was to request the affected students to explain their actions in line with the university›s rules and regulations.”
While he noted that security is a national problem, he said “the university is trying its best to secure the lives and property of students and staff on the campus.”
The DVC, therefore, appealed to the students to cooperate with the management to make the campus conducive for all and sundry assuring them that the management will do its best to address the issues raised within its available resources.
He commended the students for keeping their protest within the campus, not allowing hoodlums to hijack it.
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