On Thursday, Mr. Oyeleye Fasua, the owner of Ondo State’s College of Education, urged protesting students to remain calm, assuring them that the issue of mobilizing for the National Youth Service Corps would be resolved.
The students protested on Monday due to the institution’s failure to facilitate their NYSC mobilization following the completion of their five-year degree programs associated with Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko.
During the demonstration, agitated students blocked the Akure-Ilesa Expressway, detaining Fasua and demanding a refund of tuition fees if not mobilized for the NYSC. Additionally, property at the school was vandalized during the protest.
Fasua who spoke with our correspondent in Akure, explained that the institution was acting based on the promises made by the management of the AAUA that the students would be mobilised for the NYSC programme after completion of their programmes.
The proprietor, however, admitted that, though the Memorandum of Understanding signed with the AAUA for the affiliated programmes did not stipulate that the students would be mobilised for the NYSC scheme, he insisted that the management of the university promised to mobilise the students.
He said, “On September 15, 2017, the College of Education, Ero, entered into an affiliation agreement with the AAUA to run a degree program. Throughout this partnership, we have been assured by the university that our students would be eligible for the NYSC upon completion of their studies.
“These assurances were reiterated during the matriculation ceremony held at our institution, where the Vice-Chancellor and Deputy Vice-Chancellor of AAUA addressed our students directly. It is with deep regret and disappointment that I must express my shock upon learning that the list released by AAUA for NYSC placement did not align with the assurances given to us.
“This unfortunate development has led to a protest by our students, which resulted in acts of violence and damage to property. I must emphasize that I strongly condemn any form of violence or destruction of property as a means of expressing grievances.
“I would like to assure the public that the AAUA is a reputable institution that takes matters such as these seriously. I contacted the university’s directorate, Professor Hassan, the Director of IOD about the ugly development and he responded that the student representatives from my school Ero just left his office. He therefore expressed that the team of management from my school should come over for an amicable resolution, and we are currently working together to find an amicable solution to this situation.
He urged the students to exercise restraint and refrain from taking the law into their own hands, saying it was important to give room for peaceful dialogue and allow the appropriate channels to address the matter
“I trust that Adekunle Ajasin University will take swift action to investigate and rectify this discrepancy, ensuring that the promised opportunities for NYSC placement are extended to our deserving students,” he stated.
