#July10: OAU honours students killed in cult clash 20 years ago

Authorities of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Osun State have honoured five former students of the institution who were killed in a cult clash twenty years ago.

The students including 21-year-old 400-level Law student and then General Secretary of the Students’ Union Government (SUG), George Akinyemi Iwilade, fondly called Afrika; 400-Level Medicine student, Eviano Ekeimu; extra year student, Yemi Ajiteru; 100-Level Philosophy student, Babatunde Oke and Godfrey Ekpede, were killed in Blocks 5 and 8 of Awolowo Hall on July 10, 1999.

The attack which also left other students injured was reportedly perpetrated by members of the Black Axe Confraternity branch at the university.

The management, according to a special release in commemoration of the 20th anniversary of the massacre signed by the Registrar, Mrs Margaret Omosule, said it will continue to uphold its stance on cultism.

While condoling the relatives and associates of the victims of the massacre, the management also warned students of the institution to steer clear of all forms of cultism.

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The release reads: “Ever since, the occurrence of this sad incidence, the University Administration had taken a hard stance against cultists and cult-related activities. Several measures have been put in place to nip in the bud any trace of cult-related activities in the University.

“The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Eyitope Ogunmodede, on behalf of the Council, Senate, staff and students of the University, once again uses this medium to condole with the relatives and associates of the victims.

“We recall that the victims of the dastardly act were our students – potential leaders of tomorrow – whose lives and lofty visions were cut short in their prime. We use this medium to honour memories of the fallen students and pray for the repose of their souls. We are committed to ensuring that such occurrence would never happen again in the University.

“We want to assure members of the University community that in honour of the memories of the fallen students, the University Administration would continue to uphold the lofty values of anti-cultism which massacred students stoutly stood for.”