By Francis Ezediuno
October 29, 2024
Students at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) in Ile-Ife staged a protest on Monday, forcibly removing representatives of former Vice Chancellor Professor Wale Omole during an orientation program for new students. The protest highlights ongoing tensions related to the cult-related killings of five students at the university in 1999.
The unrest began when a delegation led by the Laaroke of Wanikin, Oba ‘Kole Ojutalayo, arrived at Oduduwa Hall to represent the Omole Foundation. As the group entered, students, backed by the Student Union (SU) leadership, confronted them, chanting Aluta slogans and demanding their exit.
Protesters voiced their belief that Omole and his associates lacked the moral authority to speak at the event due to their alleged connections to the tragic deaths of George Iwilade, known as Afrika, and four other students. They asserted that the 1999 killings continue to haunt the university’s legacy, suggesting that Professor Omole may have played a role in the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Public Relations Officer of the Student Union, Aka Daniel, confirmed the students’ actions, stating, “The students chased out the representatives because of suspicions that he may have had something to do with the 1999 incident.”
In response, university spokesperson Abiodun Olanrewaju condemned the protest, emphasizing the distinction between the Omole Foundation and the former Vice Chancellor himself. “It is so unfortunate that the students do not understand the difference,” he said, noting that the foundation was merely present to participate in the orientation.
The protest serves as a reminder that the wounds from the past remain fresh for many within the OAU community.
