Monday 9 April 2018

Many Injured as Police Opened Fire On Protesting AAUA Students in Akure

Recent  news from Oba Adesida road, where the ongoing protest being held by the students of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko in Ondo State has it that the Police have started shooting the students.

Eye witnesses disclosed that the police chief in charge of the uniform men said they have an order from the Governor of Ondo state, Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu to stop the protest at all cost, hence the sporadic shooting.

“Four students are currently being rushed to the hospital as a result of different gunshot injuries sustained” a student disclosed to nigeriancablenewsonline.com

In 2012, Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu, governor of Ondo state and then Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) governorship candidate, said he will not increase tuition fees at the Adekunle Ajasin University (AAU) in Akungba-Akoko and Rufus Giwa Polytechnic (RUGIPOLY) in Owo, if elected in the October 20 governorship election.

The frontline lawyer assured workers of both institutions and teachers in the state that their allowances, which have not been paid by Governor Olusegun Mimiko, would be fully paid, if he becomes governor.

According to The Nation, the then ACN governorship spoke in Ayegunle-Akoko, where he was hosted by members of the Omoluabi Forum.

Responding to a question by a students’ leader, Mr Akeredolu said, “I know the importance of education. Although some states increased fees because they have no money, God has blessed us with oil wealth in Ondo State.

“Therefore, I say today that my government will not increase tuition fees. That is final. You can quote me on that.”

Six years down the line, Mr. Akeredolu who then lost to former governor Olusegun Mimiko now found himself in the saddle of government.

He has also approved an increment in the tuition fees of the state owned university.

It will be recalled that SUNSHINE HERALD had on Friday published the new fees approved for new and returning students of the institution.

According to the fees, new students admitted to study law would pay N200,000 while returning students are expected to pay N150,000.

Also fresh students from the school of Science/Sommasa are asked to pay N180,000 while those returning would pay N150,000.

N150,000 and N120,000 were approved for new and returning students respectively for those in Faculties of Art and Education.