UNITY IN ADVERSITY: OSPOLY Students March to Government House, Demanding End to Academic Impasse

 By: Boluwaji Daso

In a display of frustration and determination, Students of Osun State Polytechnic (OSPOLY), Iree have taken to the State government house, Osogbo as presided by the Students’ Union Government (SUG) to a peaceful protest against the persistent strike that has disrupted their academic pursuits of which the protest gained significant momentum as students demand immediate action from the management and the government authorities.

For the past weeks, OSPOLY has been plagued by a recurrent strike initiated by the Academic Staff Union (ASUP) over the suspension of the institution rector, Dr Tajudeen Odetayo. The strike has resulted in a prolonged interruption of academic activities, and the ongoing Daily Part-Time program examination, leaving thousands of students in a state of uncertainty and despair. Frustrated by the continuous disruptions to their education, the students have united under a common cause to voice their concerns and demand a resolution.

The protest, which commenced today, 10th of August, 2023 saw a large number of students converging on the Osun State Government Secretariat and House of Assembly grounds, brandishing placards and chanting slogans. Their demands include an end to the strike, the prompt reopening of Academic activities, and a more effective medium of communication between the school management, Asup members, the state government, and students.

Speaking on behalf of the protesting students, the Student Union President, Com Tajudeen Azeez, expressed their collective exasperation with the situation. He stated, "We are tired of being caught in the crossfire of the ongoing strike, Our dreams and aspirations are being shattered, and our future is at stake, We demand immediate action from the management and the government to put an end to this lingering crisis."

However, the students also called upon the Osun State Government to intervene and resolve the issue promptly as they emphasized the importance of quality education and expressed concerns over the negative impact that the prolonged strike would have on their academic performance and prospects.

In response to the protest, the Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly,  Rt. Hon. Prince Adewale Egbedun issued a statement acknowledging the students' grievances and assuring them that efforts will be made to address the situation. Also, the speaker expressed his commitment to engaging in constructive dialogue with the parties involved and assuring the protesting students that the institution would reopen on Monday while finding a lasting solution that would enable the institution to resume normal academic activities on the aforementioned Day. 

"I think I called the president this morning, he said the protest will be peaceful that is why I encouraged him, I'm assuring you, we are going to seek to this today, I'm a student like you, I'm going to intervene today, I'm promising you a lasting solution." He stated."

Meanwhile, the Deputy Governor of Osun State, Kola Adewusi while addressing the protesting students of Osun State Polytechnic, Iree,  at the front of the Osun State Government Secretariat stated that the students should hold him responsible if the institution failed to open on Monday. 

He stressed that the students did the right thing by peacefully protesting to seek their rights and however made a commitment to address the situations on time with an assurance that the institution's reopening and the start of academic activity is taken into consideration 

As the protest continues, OSPOLY students remain resolute in their demand for a swift end to the persistent strike. With hopes of a resolution on the horizon, they remain committed to fighting for their right to quality education and a better future.

In a similar vein, the protest serves as a reminder of the critical role that education plays in the development of individuals and society as a whole. It highlights the need for stakeholders to prioritize dialogue, collaboration, and sustainable solutions to prevent the recurrence of such disruptive strikes in the future.

It would be recalled that the Student Union Government (SUG) of Osun State Polytechnic, Iree, has called on the management and the state government to resolve the issues of the Asup Strike and summon the reconciliation meeting before Monday, 7th of August 2023.

The Union however proposed that the student body would be forced to hold a peaceful protest at the Osun State Government House in Osogbo if the ultimatum was not heeded. stating that the protest will be handled appropriately, adhering to the principles of peace, respect for law and order, and the rights of all individuals.