The Students of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile Ife on Monday distrusted freshers’ orientation program, forcing representatives of the university’s former Vice Chancellor, Prof. Wale Omole, to leave the event.
The disruption occurred during the official welcome ceremony for new students, an annual tradition aimed at introducing freshers to the university community.
Tensions rose when some students noticed the presence of individuals said to be the representatives of Prof. Omole, whose tenure as vice chancellor remains controversial and claimed to be the sponsor of the University’s 1999 killings.
The medium gathered that a group of students began protesting against Prof. Omole’s representatives, chanting slogans and demanding their immediate exit.
The students reportedly expressed anger over unresolved issues dating back to the 1999 when a violent cult attack claimed the lives of several students under Omole’s administration.
The attack claimed the life of the George Iwilade, the then students’ union Secretary-General, 21-year-old 400-Level law student and four other students who were said to have been killed by Black Axe Confraternity.
While Omole was accused of involvement in the attack, he has repeatedly denied the allegations and also said he was not found wanting by a panel of enquiry set up by the federal government through the Ministry of Education, then headed by Tunde Adeniran, a professor.
Confirming the incident, the Students’ Union in a statement signed by the president, Omoboriowo Isaac, and the Secretary General, Babatimehin Kinfeosi, expressed disappointment regarding the invitation of Wale Omole representatives to the Freshers’ Program.
The union accused the university management of disregarding the institution’s painful history.
The union firmly reiterated its stance against any attempt to normalize entities associated with the university’s troubled past.
According to them, “The Great Ife Students’ Union unequivocally condemns the invitation of a representative of the Wale Omole Foundation to the Obafemi Awolowo University campus during the Freshers Orientation Programme.
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“This action by the university administration shows a profound disregard for the painful history associated with the Wale Omole era, which remains a wound in the collective memory of this institution.
“We stand firm in our rejection of any attempts to normalize or dignify figures or entities that evoke memories of negligence and complicity.
“The bloodshed of July 10, 1999, when cultists brutally murdered George “Afrika” Iwilade and four other students, is a reminder of the complicity of Wale Omole, and we firmly reject any association with him.
“As representatives of the students, we took immediate action by exiting the venue, removing all banners related to the Wale Omole foundation, and demanding the representative’s exit from campus.
“Our message remains clear: any program, individual, or group that threatens the dignity and security of our community will be met with unwavering resistance.
“The Great Ife Students’ Union is resolute in preserving the sanctity of our campus and honoring the memory of those who lost their lives in the struggle for a safer, more just university environment.
“We continue to say NO to cultism and shun any semblance of it on our campus.
“We reject any attempt to rebrand, rehabilitate, or elevate figures linked to our institution’s most painful memories and reiterate our commitment to upholding a safe, secure, and dignified campus for all.”
*We Didn’t Invite Wale Omole – University Management*
Meanwhile, in an interview with SaharaReporters, the institution Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Olarewaju, stated that the Wale Omole foundation was the one that came to the orientation programme, not Wale Omole as a person.
According to him,“First of all, I should make it clear that we did not invite Wale Omole, instead the Wale Omole foundation came to speak at the programme. During the programme, the Students Union walked in and said they did not want Wale Omole, when this was going on, the Royal father representing the foundation left.”
He also noted that the foundation had done some things for the students before now.
“There are things that the foundation has been doing for the students before now, so it is the name Wale Omole that students say they do not want to hear. However, you cannot throw a stone at a foundation just because of the name,”
Kazeem Badmus is a graduate of Mass Communication with years of experience. A professional in journalism and media writing, Kazeem prioritses accuracy and factual reportage of issues. He is also a dexterous finder of the truth with conscious delivery of unbiased and development oriented stories.
