by Kolapo Olapoju

Reacting to the unwavering student protest of tuition fees, Governor Ibikunle Amosun has reportedly ordered the immediate closure of Olabisi Onabanjo University, OOU in Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State.

This information was disseminated via a statement released on Saturday, 23 August, by the Secretary to state Government, Barrister Taiwo Adeoluwa.

It disclosed that the government had no option than to order the immediate closure of all the campuses of Olabisi Onabanjo University to protect the students and other residents of the state and their property.

“According to the statement, the students have continued to issue threats while rejecting all entreaties and concessions made by the government on their various demands concerning the recently announced reduction of school fees.”

“The government thereby advise all parents whose wards are students of the university to immediately call them to order as the government will not tolerate any act that will disturb the peace being enjoyed by the people of the state.”

Adeoluwa also accused OOU students of being the only institution that has a habit of resorting to violence during its protests.

“OOU students staged a violent demonstration in the state capital, Abeokuta, on August 15 and it took the personal intervention of the governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun to restore normalcy,” the statement said.

“Security reports have since confirmed that because the students are acting under external influence, no concession made by the government will be satisfactory to them.

“Consequently, we have no option than to order the immediate closure of all the campuses of Olabisi Onabanjo University to protect the students and other residents of the state and their property. We urge all parents to impress on their wards the need to maintain peace in the interest of all.”

After initial protests, Governor Amosun had met with the student leaders of the university, promising to look into their demands and urging them to shun violence and chaos while protesting.

The announcement of the closure is coming just 24 hours after the expiration of the deadline given to the students by government to address the tuition fees crisis.

Kolapo Olapoju