Ondo College of Education students shut institution over NYSC mobilisation

Graduating students of a private College of Education in Akure, All-State College of Education, Ero, in Ifedore Local Government Area of the state, on Monday, shut down the school, protesting over the failure of the institution to mobilise the National Youth Service Scheme (NYSC).

The protesting students who blocked the road also held the Proprietor of the school, Prince AAUA in his office for over six hours, asking him for a refund of tuition fees they paid in the last five years.

It took the intervention of the men of the Ondo State police command who appealed to the protesting students who barricaded the highway and insisted on refund of the tuition fees if the school authorities would not mobilised them for NYSC.

Speaking on behalf of the students, the President of the institution’s Students Union Government, Comrade Gbenga Olusola, explained that two sets of graduates of the institution, about 400, were waiting to be mobilised for the national service.

Olusola stated that Vice Chancellor of the Adekunle Jasin University, Akungba (AAUA) Prof. Olugbenga Ige, assured them during their matriculation that they would proceed for the NYSC programme after graduation.

He said, “We now have two sets of graduates waiting to be mobilised. We protested because our school name is not on the portal of AAUA. The VC who was DVC then promised us that we would go for the NYSC programme.

“What is the purpose of going to school without NYSC? We will continue the protest until we are sure of our fate.”

The Students Affairs Officer of the institution, Samuel Adebayo, who absolved the institution of connivance, said the school proprietor was whisked away to avoid attack by the students.

He said lecturers from AAUA were responsible for examinations conduct and supervision and said “Mr. Fasua believed the students will go for NYSC after graduation

“He knew nothing in this matter. The students shut down all academic activities. They now want their money refunded. The AAUA management should come out to clear the air on the fate of the students.”

AAUA spokesperson, Victor Akinpelumi, described the allegation as a “fallacy”, urging the students to meet with their proprietor for proper guidance.

Akinpelumi said; “Thanks, the allegation is not correct. It is a fallacy. I will advise the students to channel their grievances to the Proprietor/ Registrar of Ero College of Education, Ero, for proper guidance.”

READ ALSO FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE 

• Jet crash: I’m in good spirits — Minister of Power, Adelabu

• Senator Natasha pays condolence visit to family of late Ohinoyi

• Appeal Court sacks Senate Minority Whip, Nwokocha

• Why I was not part of Big Brother All Stars —Tobi Bakre

• What critics of Rufai Oseni don’t know about journalism

• FULL LIST: Osimhen, Gift Orban bag nominations at 2023 CAF Awards