The Students of Tai-Solarin College of Education, TASCE, Omu have cried out to Ogun state governor, prince Dapo Abiodun to save them from Oro Adherents who they said have been disturbing their peace and academy in Omu community.
The students alleged that the Oro Worshippers have been infringing on their rights in the name of ”Oro mawo sokoto” meaning no lady should wear shorts or trouser and ”Oro ma tan ina”, meaning no students should put on light, saying that the imposition has really affected their academic performance and their freedom to move around the community.
They expressed their grievances on Monday when the Special Assistant on students affairs, comrade Azeez Adeyemi visited the school in Ogun state.
The Students Union President of the institution, Adefesobi Ibrahim Oluwatobiloba who spoke with the news men said that the Oro Adherents have really threatened the peace of the students saying that they use to start their festival during their examination
He said, ” This festival always start by 9 pm when our students are still moving around and getting set for their examination. Any ladies that put on shorts or trouser that moment will be pursued and make sure that whatever they put on is torn by the Oro Adherents”
He called on the state government to check the excesses of the Oro worshippers, saying that they are ready to ruin the academy of the students of TASCE.
”We are not convenient, we can not move freely round the communuty of the academyschool, we are being disturbed by the Oro Adherents, they are infringing on our rights. We are calling on our amiable governor, prince Dapo Abiodun to come to our aid and stop the imposition by the Oro Adherents in Omu Ijebu”
One of the students, Tijani Omobosola from agric department told news men that when the issue first happened, they reported and it was banned then but later the Oro Adherents started again.
She called on Dapo Abiodun for total banning of the festival in the community.
”We are fed up of this imposition by the Oro Adherents all in the name of their tradition. We can not read when it is 9pm because they will ask us not to put on our light and it always examination period which many of us will not be able to read and this will lead to failure of some of us”
They all condemned the imposition by the Oro Adherents, calling on administration of prince Dapo Abiodun to help look into the matter before it ruins their their education.
Meanwhile, the Special Assistant on students affairs to Ogun state governor, comrade Azeez Adeyemi assured the students that the matter will not be swept under the carpet.
According to him, I have heard of Oro festival, but I have never heard where Oro will tell you not to put on your light.
“How will you perform well in your exams if you’re stopped from putting on the light to read during examination periods”
He said that the government of Ogun State will write a letter to the traditional ruler of Omu over the issue.
Adeyemi condemned the act,saying that his office will write the monarch of the community over the imposition, assuring the students that there will be change as soon as possible.
He said that he will also meet with the management of the school to change the calendar of the school so that the Oro festival will not fall on the day the students will be having their examinations.
Adeyemi also revealed that the current administration is ready to build a 3000 capacity Auditorium for the students
He advised the students to continue to support prince Dapo Abiodun led administration, saying that the school was faced with various challenges before the administration of prince Dapo Abiodun.
”We thank our governor for helping us to revive this institution, we all knew his it was before and the crises during the past administration. When governor Dapo Abiodun came on board we now have a new TASCE. Although the school still lacks some basic needs to compete with other institution but I want to assure that the governor is doing everything possible to perfect TASCE”. He concluded
He therefore urged the students to desist from social vices, violence and indecency, saying that prince Dapo Abiodun led administration will not tolerate any act that is capable of disturbing the peace of the state.
Also the provost of the institution, Dr. Adeola Kiadese Lukman appreciated Prince Dapo Abiodun for reviving the school after facing some many challenges under the past administration.
He said that the governor has done the best since he has assumed office
”We knew how it was before, we all knew how the crises almost collapse this institution but we want to thank our governor for bringing back the glory of the institution, we also get our subvention regularly without any stress. The support of our excellency is endless”
He however called on the government to help in the area of dilapidated roads leading to the school.
The provost while appreciating the presence of the special assistant on students affairs, comrade Azeez Adeyemi said that the governor has chosen the right person who is more concerned about the welfare of the students.
”I want to thank the governor for putting the right peg in the right hole. He chose a man like comrade Azeez Adeyemi who is more concerned about the welfare of the students. I want to thank you for coming. This is an innovation on your part and this is going to be historical”
