The management of the University of Ibadan (UI) has alleged a plot by the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) to stage a protest against the conduct of the 2016/2017 Second Semester Examinations.
UI Vice Chancellor, Idowu Olayinka stated this in a statement sent to EduCeleb.com on Sunday.
EduCeleb.com recalls that the university’s senate had on Friday declared its intention to go on with the exams irrespective of the ongoing strike embarked upon by nonacademic members of staff.
The Senate decided that the university’s semester exams would start on Monday, 8th January, 2018.
Professor Olayinka revealed that the university had received reliable security reports of some attempt to disrupt the exams citing the involvement of former president of the UI Students’ Union, Ojo Aderemi in such a plot.
In his words, “the University Management has received reliable security reports which require urgent attention.”
Activities of the Students’ Union under Mr Aderemi was on 30th May, 2017 suspended by UI authorities. The university therefore warned that any student who joins the students in the planned protest does so at his own risk.
“Ojo Aderemi, a 200 Level student of the Department of History, who served as President of the Students’ Union from 8 to 29 May 2017 and his sympathisers under the aegis of NANS are planning to disrupt the Examinations,” he continued.
“Kindly note that Senate has since suspended the activities of the Students’ Union since May 30, 2017. The suspension is still in effect and anyone who parades himself or herself as an official of a non-existing group does so at his or her own risk.
“The Security Agents have been put on alert. Nonetheless, the generality of Students who are law-abiding and are prepared and ready for their examinations should remain calm, conclude revision of their lecture notes and go in for their examinations.
The professor of Geology vowed to ensure that the protesters, who he described as “anarchists” and “professional students” disrupt academic activities.
“We should not allow anarchists disrupt the relative peace we have on the Campus. Many of these professional ‘students’ having nothing to lose if there is a further disruption of our academic calendar,” he said.
Suspended Union deny involvement
The suspended Students’ Union leaders have denied involvement in the planned protest.
They said the protest was wholly orchestrated by “external bodies”.
Speaking with EduCeleb.com, the Public Relations Officer of the suspended union, Uthman Olasunkanmi said UI students have no plans of disrupting their semester exams.
“The suspended union is not part of it. There is nothing to worry about. Our exams will hold. All students are preparing to write exams,” Olasunkanmi stated.
He also clarified that executive members of the suspended union are still bona fide students who would equally be writing the exams.
“Only the Union activities are suspended bur our studentship still stands,” he added.
The spokesman of NANS, Okereafor Bestman Opeyemi was not available to comment on the matter as at the time of filing this report.
