The management of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, has
described the poisoning of its dam by suspected hoodlums as an act of
genocide against members of the institution.
Recalls that
some aggrieved indigenes of Ile-Ife, who claimed ownership of some
portions of the university land, had on April 3 invaded the university
and allegedly poisoned the institution’s dam with a chemical.
Mr
Abiodun Olanrewaju, the university’s Public Relation Officer, who
conducted journalists round the disputed land and the dam within the
school’s premises, on Wednesday, said the poisoning of the dam was
genocidal.
Olanrewaju said the chemical used in poisoning the
dam, which was the only source of water for the university, killed all
the aquatic animals in it.
He, however, said that the dam had been treated and was now safe to drink.
“The act is condemnable and wicked.
“How
can some group of people poison the only source of the dam where the
over 36,000-strong university population was drinking from. “The act is
genocidal and wicked. “
They came through the Parakin area of
the town to poison the dam but God was so good to us that immediately
the dam was poisoned, rain fell for two days which washed the poisonous
chemical away.
“We have treated the water and laboratory test
had been done on it and now it is very safe to drink”, Olanrewaju said.
Olanrewaju also said the disputed land belongs to the Federal
Government, adding that the university was not ready to concede it to
anybody.
According to him, the land which is about 162 hectares
was given to the university in the 60s by the then Ooni of Ife, Oba
Adesoji Aderemi.
He said the land grabbers had started selling
some portions of land to the people while construction workers working
on the proposed OAU International Secondary school on the land were
chased away with cutlasses and other dangerous weapons by the hoodlums.
Olanrewaju said three blocks of hostels built for students on the said land were abandoned due to attacks by the hoodlums.
“For
the safety of our children in the university, the vice-chancellor
instructed us not to allocate any of 360 rooms newly built hostel to
them. ” The vice-chancellor has also instructed our security men not to
retaliate but it is not possible for anyone to invade Federal Government
land for personal gain because the land is gazetted.
“We have
informed the police and other security agencies and we believe they will
act accordingly. “We have also informed the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye
Ogunwusi, and Ife Development Board, ”Olanrewaju said.
He,
however, said that anyone who was ready to use any portion of the land
for the generality of the people and not for personal gain could
approach the university for consideration.
Source:- Brandpurng
Share your thoughts