OAU management forces students out of hostels

Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) has begun throwing out students and their luggage, in a bid to renovate the hostels, after a short notice was issued 24 hours earlier. A confrontation erupted at the Moremi hall, a female hostel, where some students including student activists and journalists were reportedly manhandled.

According to Premium Times, Gbenga Oloniran, the secretary of the Anti Neo-liberal attacks against Students Association (ANSA), and a female student were reportedly ‘arrested’ by the security unit of the university.

Gbenga Oloniran, the secretary of the Anti Neo-liberal attacks against Students Association (ANSA), and a female student were reportedly ‘arrested’ by the security unit of the university.

The school vacated February 17 but students writing their final year projects and those undergoing their SIWES and Teaching Practice (TP) programmes are still on campus.

Ayodeji Fridaus, who witnessed the forceful eviction at Moremi hall, he said that the officers were not ”considerate enough as they threw students loads from the topmost floor”.

“Some of us are on campus because of SIWES. Where do they want us to go?” she said.

Also, an occupant of Moremi hall, Miss Akinremi, a final year student, complained that she is yet to finish her final year project. She said her property including her mattress was flung out by rampaging officials.

Halimat Busayo, who resides at the Alumni hall also narrated a similar tale of eviction.

The hall warden of Alumni Hall, who did not give her name explained the reason for the action. She said that ”the order (for eviction) came from the school management for renovation purposes”.

“The hostels were renovated when these students came in. They should also allow us to renovate when new ones are coming in,” she said.

The Dean of Division of Students Affairs (DSA), Isiaka Aransi, who showed up later in the company of the school’s chief security officer at the scene of conflict in Moremi simply instructed the students to move out immediately.

A three-hour-ultimatum was subsequently given to students occupying halls of residence to leave