THE VC ERRED NEVER TO HAVE ADDRESSED THE STUDENTS.

This is not to show that the students were right in their agitations as agitation is not a new thing on campus but to show that the VC had all the opportunity of nibbling the situation in the bud before it got aggravated. I say this because if ui was to be Professor Olayinka's private establishment and the workers went on rampage, he would have addressed them so as not to record any financial loss. But in this situation, the VC acted like an employee that he is with the mentality that " oga ta oga o ta, owo alaru ape" translation: academic activities or not, their salaries would be completed.

Even though I don't like protest during my 5yrs plus stay in ui, till I graduated, I never for once seen a protest that the management refused to address the student body or the protestants. And so, it is historical that the present management has no regard for students agitation and gathering . There can never be absolute good and bad. We both share that characteristics equally, the part of management and on the part of student. Exhibition of pride and ego adamantly is tantamount to exhibition of juvenile delinquencies at old age. Expecting that we will just come to university and read only books is best described as delusion of grandeur. There must be confrontation in different form but it seems this management loves it in protest form.

Addressing students on radio is an act of cowardice and placement of cart before the horse. A 5minute speech would have pally  everyone and the administration continues its duty. Students are not that bad. They just want a parental attention in most instances.

The students leaders have just one advice from me. " Exhaust all possible option at your disposal before confrontation" I didn't know your steps but though based on experience, I am 100% sure that all options were not exhausted. Be that as it may, we have all learnt our lessons as the present situation, in reality,,doesn't not augur well for us all including me writing this piece.

My relationship with the management while as an undergraduate  also showed that once a bad adviser is the closest to the VC, that's when this kind of situation arises. Bamiro had it and he cut off from those bad people in the management and at the end he had an interesting dwell with the students. Adewole too, saw the power in addressing the students and he pocketed his status as the VC and the institution moved on. As far as leadership is concern, the leadership of the students understand that there are so many administrative challenges that are not known to the university community and as such there is bound to be pressure. The management of such pressure determine the kind of leader that you are.

You are now the VC ....ehn! Ehn! Heaven will not fall!! There had been VCS before you and they faced pressure too and managed it well. The vcship would continue even after you. It is your work that will speak for you in less than 5years to this time.

We have always been holding our VCS in high esteem and we will keep doing that. Even the appalling media chat to discredit the student won't push us to acting contrary to the doctrines and norms of our great institution.

The VC must as matter of fact learn how not to let issues get escalated, aggravated and go out of control. We are not in a battle field or in a struggle for supremacy. The student just want to know the kind of person whose mantle of authority has been given to as a VC and the VC just flopped in the golden opportunity.

We shall overcome!!!

God bless the University of Ibadan.

Akande Akin Sanyaolu.
Alumnus.