PRESS STATEMENT,

10/11/2019

On 2 November 2019, a news report made by Sahara Reporters informed the public about the sordid expulsion of a student-activist, Mr Ifemosu Michael Adewale.

According to the letter conveying the expulsion, the management alleged "You would recall that in July 2019, you posted an open letter on the Internet to the Vice Chancellor of the school in which you raised allegations and misrepresentation of fact about the university." (The picture format of the open letter is available at the bottom of the letter).

But contrary to the school's claim, it is clear in the letter that the gentleman took initiative to constructively engage the supposed "chief servant" of the institution - Vice Chancellor ( though they do not see themselves within the prism of service but of deification) - with the mind that those issues can receive due attention of the management in solving the problems that are evidently faced by the majority of students in Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta.

Issues that bordered across the welfare, security and worse the nonchalance of the management to solve these problems while they (staff and management) afford themselves the alternative reality, were raised in the letter. Adewale also challenged the decision making practice of the school that violates the 2013 Agreement with the Federal Government in order to cushion the culture of internal corruption which is further displayed in the ASUU's refusal to be incorporated into the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information Scheme. His highly admirable sense of stakeholdership was further displayed in the latter paragraphs of his letter as he intelligently proffered solutions to the problems he highlighted with an obvious hope for solvency.

His criticism, however, was not received in good faith. Adewale had committed a great offence against the supreme Code of Conduct in Nigerian Universities. He had done the unthinkable. He should have asked Adekunle Adebajo of his curious experience in University of Ibadan in 2018 when he released an investigative report on the state of the University's infrastructure. For which offence he bagged one year suspension.

Nigeria's higher institutions pride themselves in the extent to which they are able to thwart the expression of the students. It threatens the sovereignty of the schools from the society that built and employed its workers - oh no - Rulers. School managements understand that the students cannot be kept in shackles for too long before visionary individuals like Adekule Adebajo of UI or Ifemosu Adewale call them out, damning the possible consequences. This is why the school management would go any length to maintain the climate of fear, not minding what ever measure it may require - including the ban of student union.

This act by the management of FUNAAB is nothing short of shameful. And we are glad to inform them that the times are different. Students have been historically helpless, and schools have taken a despicable advantage of their vulnerability. However, NOT ANYMORE.

HELP Foundation for Students have taken up this case. In our interview with Mr Adewale, he confirmed the news report and also informed us of his appeal to the judgement of the School's senate. We have initiated a social media campaign - #JusticeForAdewale - to this effect in order to expose the case to the public as part of our approach to solving the problems of unsafety on West African campus.

Our legal team are taking necessary steps towards provision of legal aids to the victim of this disgusting show of impunity by FUNAAB's school management. We appreciate the public for their support and the student-community for their resilience. It is time to send back a message to our schools that the times are different, students are not anymore HELPLESS.

Signed:
Olympus Ade-Banjo
President, HELP Foundation for Students.
info@help4students.org.ng

eleyi gidi gan