Students of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) in Ile-Ife held a loud protest on Monday, demanding the removal of representatives of former Vice Chancellor Professor Wale Omole.
Beyond Boders reports that the representatives had come to attend an orientation event for new students.
The tension began when a delegation led by Oba ‘Kole Ojutalayo, the Laaroke of Wanikin, arrived at Oduduwa Hall to represent the Omole Foundation.
Students, with support from the Student Union (SU), confronted the delegation, chanting protest slogans and insisting the group leave the campus.
The students expressed anger over the 1999 cult-related killings that led to the deaths of five students, including George Iwilade, known as “Afrika.” They accused Professor Omole of having an alleged connection to the incident and felt his representatives had no moral right to be present.
Aka Daniel, Public Relations Officer of the Student Union, confirmed the protest, saying, “The students chased out the representatives because of suspicions that he may have had something to do with the 1999 incident.”
The university management, however, disapproved of the protest. “It is so unfortunate that the students do not understand the difference between the Omole Foundation and the person of the VC. It was his foundation that was in school today, and they were chased out,” Abiodun Olanrewaju, the university’s spokesperson, stated.
