INSIDE STORY OF HOW OAU STUDENTS UNION PURCHASED #2.5 MILLION BUS TO ALLEVIATE STUDENTS PLIGHT ON TRANSPORTATION ISSUES

The Oyekan Ibukun led OAU Students Union has commenced an independent transportation scheme to cushion the effect of transport issues in the first generation university.

The fourteen seater bus purchased at the rate of 2.5 million naira was sequel to fund approval from the outgoing administration of Professor Anthony Elujoba led OAU administration.

In an Interview with the Tell Times, the Financial Secretary of OAU Students Union, Comrade Kehinde Omisakin stated that when the current Union administration came on board, they got to know that the management is owing our union a backlog of #14 Million. But, on further enquiries and several meetings with some principal officers, the bursar said the management is only owing our Union a sum of #7.3 Million.

Kehinde further stated that the Union wrote a lot of letters, and had series of meetings to see that the money is released to our union. It was during the meeting with Professor Olasode, the Chairman of OAU Security Council that the Union leadership  hit the Jackpot. The then acting Vice-chancellor, Professor Anthony Elujoba approved the payment of the money.

The OAU Students Union Banker further maintained that the school maintenance department from where the Union enquired the price of the Bus from, reported to the Union  that the bus is N3.5 million, so we needed to grab the opportunity of the lesser price.

In his own comment, the Public Relations Officer of the Union, Okediji Simon stated that the Union is not oblivious of the height of ordeal students are being subjected to with respect to the callous and Shylock-like attitude of commercial bus drivers who often keep students stranded at the Bus Stop at night. He however said the Union will keep working on the sustainable ways to overcome the transportation  challenge as soon as possible.

In his reaction, The President of the Students Union, Oyekan Ibukun Edward also known as Dr Ibk said the Union will keep on prioritizing the welfare of students despite gargantuan challenges been faced. As you know already, we (Union leaders) are elected to prioritize the welfare of students. And we will use every medium to strengthen the bargaining power of the Union to students advantage.

Ibukun further provide details of the #2.5 million naira bus financial expenditure for the general public. One of the evidences include an audio recording call with the bus dealer validating the 2.5 million naira buy out clause. Another evidence is the screen shot of the financial transfer to the bus dealer in three batches. Another evidence presented during the interview is the original receipt issued to purchase the bus.

When Tell Times visited  Mr Omolade Adeolu, the General Manager of Multi Deval Concept which specializes in motor dealings. Mr Adeolu said the students (referring to OAU Students Union) was lucky to have gotten the price of the bus at that rate from them. We just consider their youthful level and the fact that we also have relatives studying in OAU. they will also benefit from the transport scheme. This is part of what form the reason for selling the bus at the cheap rate of #2.5 million. You can ask other dealers around, the bus real market price is over 3 million.

Meanwhile, opposition groups led by ideological groups also known as leftists have strongly criticize the idea of the bus. The ideological groups were of the opinion that the Students Union is a pressure group and as such it is irrelevant for the Union to purchase bus for students.

 It will later be gathered by Tell Times that the leftists group have consistently criticize and frustrate the idea of capital projects by previous Union leaderships. It has always been their idea but it always failed, Mutiu Adesegun, a parliamentarian from the College of Health Sciences said. This is how they criticize the administrations of Paul Alaje in 2008, Ibikunle Isaac in 2014, Omotayo Akande in 2015, and now Oyekan Ibukun in 2017. They have always criticize it blindly. How can you say the Union should not initiate projects for the benefit of students, but rather it should be used to fund protest? Adesegun rhetorically asked.

In a related development, students have charged the leadership of the Union to be focused with their efforts on rebranding the Union. In  separate interviews with the Tell Times, the students commend the Union leadership effort on solving transportation problem on campus.

One of the students who want to be addressed as Emeka Mbah said, Dr. IBK should keep on doing his great works devoid of side distractions. One thing I believe Dr. IBK can chip in his procurement processes is to have something like a mini tenders board whereby Great Ife Students would be given a week or two to check out prices of quality goods and services where it can be acquired so that at the end we go for the most cheap and durable.

• Listen to audio: https://cloudup.com/files/ixMXY1MFUBj/download