Academic activities were paralysed in Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State on Monday as students protested the alleged increase in acceptance fees being paid by fresh students.

The President of the OAU Student Union Government, Mr. Fredrick Joel, told THE PUNCH on the telephone that entreaties made by the students for a reduction of the acceptance fees were ignored. Joel said the acceptance fee paid by fresh students was increased from N2, 000 to N20, 000.

But the spokesman of the university, Mr. Abiodun Olanrewaju, told our correspondent that the protest by the students was misplaced. Olanrewaju, who confirmed the increase in the charge, said, “The acceptance fee charged by OAU is the cheapest among universities in the country. If fresh students did not protest the charge, why are old students protesting?

“The protest is absurd. Those the students claim they are fighting for have paid up. Many of the fresh students had paid online from home. The fee was arrived at after a thoughtful consideration by management; the fee is legal and considerate.”

The gates leading to the university were locked even as students barricaded the roads with logs of woods and bricks. Commercial motorists and motorcyclists were chased out of the institution while priivate motorists were barred from entering the university.

Many workers, lecturers and students were forced to trek from the school’s gate into the campus.

http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art201102225123373

Post Reply

Posted: at 22-02-2011 10:45 AM (13 years ago) | Addicted Hero

Reply: