The management of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife yesterday announced to the general public that the Senate of the University has decided that students of the University should go on a Mid-Siemester break with immediate effects and directed all students to vacate their hostels and school premises by 12noon today. This declaration has made many to believe that the decision of the management is as a result of the protest embarked upon the students, under the supervision of the Students’ Union, of the institution.

As a result, the students led by their Students’ Union have refused to vacate the school stating that there was no just reasons to warrant such action. They further stated that they were not planning to disrupt any programme, as the congress only agreed on a day protest which was done on monday and as such they are stating that they are not tired of lectures. Right now light and water supply have been cut off, and students are shouting: “War! War!”

However, the University has not been shut down as speculated, but rather the Senate of the university decided that the students should embark on a mid-semester break, the Public Relations Officer of Obafemi Awolowo University, Mr Abiodun Olanrewaju told campus journalists.

In a telephone chat with Mr Olarenwaju today, he insisted that the mid-semester break was necessary as the Senate of the University decided yesterday. He however said the students dare not question the authority of the senate on the decision. He further maintained that the University authority will recall the students as at when due.

Though the University PRO refused to link the mid-semester break to any development, there are strong indications that the decision of the Senate to declare the mid-semester break is related to the treatment handed down to a public transport bus driver popularly known as ‘Town Gboro’ in the university community last week (read that news here) and not the protest embarked upon by students as many believe.

Late last week, a bus driver who was alleged to have stolen a gadget of a student of the institution was arrested by members of the Security Committee of the Students’ Union. During the period of investigation by the Security Committee, the bus driver reportedly confessed to the same allegation of theft upon which he was beaten seriously. This led to him been taken to the Health Centre of the institution for treatment afterwards.

There are however rumours pervading the University community that the bus driver died yesterday due to a yet to be ascertained reason. These rumours have been quashed by the Students’ Union saying it is not true. The association of bus drivers since Monday has however mandated their members not to operate within the University community which they have since complied with.

Below is a photo of the circular released by the school management regarding the declaration of the mid-semester break.

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We will keep you updated as the story unfolds.


Via: http://www.roughdiamondblog.com/oau-shut-down-bus-drivers-death-likely-reason-behind-shut-down-not-students-protest-full-report/