By: Lawal Raimat and Victoria Saanu
The Management of the University of Ibadan has answered questions on the issues affecting students on campus during a meeting with the university’s student leaders held at Trenchard Hall on Thursday, December 30.
According to the Dean of Students, Prof. Abiona, the meeting, which was anchored by the Director of Public Communication, Mr Olatunji Oladejo, is the second Student-Management meeting in the history of the University and its goal is to foster a good relationship with students and bridge communication gap.
While answering questions raised by the Students’ Union President, Adeyinka Adewole, the Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Prof Kayode Adebowale, said that the University will stop getting its electricity from Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC).
“As regards electricity, the Management plans to stop getting electricity from the IBEDC, and migrate to the transition company at the federal level for direct electricity. Also, the University intends to reach out to the National Electricity Regulation Company in order to reduce the price charged per unit of electricity. In addition, the management plans to make use of PVC cables for the distribution of electricity of electricity so as to make the distribution of electricity at once possible,” he said.
He also added that the University has embarked on a 100-borehole project.
Responding to the issuance of transcript raised the SU president, the Director of ITeMS, Mrs. Adekanmi explained saying “on the issuance of transcript, a task force has been set up for this due to its urgency. The University is also working towards an online transcript system where students can easily access their transcript online without delay whenever needed. This will make it possible for students applying for scholarship to access their transcript on time.”
Presidents of the Faculties of Agriculture and Renewable Natural Resources (RNR) raised issues of the collapsing bridge linking the faculties of Agriculture and Education. They also proposed a bus-stop to serve the two faculties and Veterinary Medicine, opening of Lecture Theatres for overnight reading during examination with security personnel on patrol, and a separate lecture theatre for RNR to avoid clashes.
The Director of Works and Maintenance, Engr. Olufemi Adetolu, promised that the bridge would be visited and necessary actions will be taken.
The Director of the University Health Services (UHS) also addressed the issues raised on the standard of the healthcare at Jaja Clinic. She complained about defiance, challenges on equipment and a consistent brain drain on the health sector. The director advised students to get their registration at Jaja Clinic done on time to aid quick response and effective keeping of medical records, and she promised the UHS services will get these problems attended to very soon.
The Chief Security Officer, Mr Victor G.
Fadeyibi in his address assured students that security is the business of the University. He added that the University has a good relationship with The Nigerian Police (Operation Burst) as well as the DSS that will be ready to help if needed.
He added that the case of Miss Oluwaseun Adeyemo who died in a car accident at University of Ibadan Postal office on October 17 is still in court and the University will ensure that justice is gotten. He further noted, “The University plans make two speed bumps along the Sango- Ojoo road which will be situated along Polaris Bank as well as the University Second gate. However, the delay in the construction is the seeking of permission from the Federal government as the road is a Federal road.”
The SU Sport Secretary, Olawale Joshua, raised concerns on the Sports equipment of the university and the Students Union Building swimming pool. He enjoined the University Management to take advantage of the coming NUGA games which will be hosted next year to repair these equipment.
Mariam, a Post Graduate student of the Department of Epidemiology, University College Hospital and a resident of Falase Hall complained about hike in hostel and transportation fees and insecurity. She proposed amounts students find affordable based on a survey which are ₦100,000-₦120,000 for a single room and ₦50,000-₦70,000 for a two-man room. She also complained that rooms are without burglary and there is a reading room without furniture.
Rounding up the meeting, the Vice Chancellor assured the leaders that all their issues will be addressed and he hopes such interactive session continues to hold regularly.
Over 60 Students’ leaders attended the meeting, including members of the University management staff.
Some of the attendees are:
Prof. Aderonke Mojisola Baiyeroju — DVC academics prof.
Prof. Oluyemisi A Bamgbose — DVC RISP
Chief Security Officer, Mr Victor G. Fadeyibi
Kingsely Chukwuma President, Faculty of The Social Sciences
Nasirudeen Abayomi President, Faculty of Agriculture
Adejumo Uthman Olalekan – Administrator General, Independence Hall
Akinyoola Emmanuel- President, Faculty of Arts
Agboola Adedotun Ayodele – President, Renewable Natural Resources.
Adeyemi Aishat – Hall Chairperson, Queen Idia Hall
