Ajimobi Orders Reopening Of College of Education

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State has ordered the immediate reopening of the Emmanuel Alayande College of Education (EACOED) Oyo.

Mr Ajimobi’s media aide, Mr Yomi Layinka, disclosed in a statement that the order came against the backdrop of apologies and promises by the students’ representatives that their colleagues will turn a new leaf.

The Governor, who gave the directive shortly after meeting with the students’ leaders on Wednesday, admonished them against unruly acts that might truncate the peace of the state.

The state government had through a statement by the state Commissioner of Education, Science and Technology, Mr Adeniyi Olowofela, shut the college on June 2 in the wake of violent protests by some students of the institution.

During the meeting, the Governor warned the students against a recurrence of the violence, adding that dialogue and engagement “were civilised ways of resolving grievances and issues bordering on welfare, no matter how knotty they might be.”

“We have forgiven you. But you must turn a new leaf. We are grooming you to become future leaders, but not through acts of hooliganism, destruction or any form of violent protest over issues that will still be resolved through dialogue and engagement,” Mr Ajimobi said.

In his reaction, the Provost of the EACOED, Mr Rasaq Adefabi, appreciated what he called the role played by the governor in resolving the crisis.

He disclosed that the school management had set up a counselling unit saddled with the responsibility of attending to the welfare and concerns of the students.