The Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), has declared a 7-day mid-semester break for the Second Semester, 2015/2016 Academic Session with effect from Thursday, August 18, 2016. This is to enable the university to put additional welfare and security arrangements in place, to further support the initiatives of the Federal and State Governments, towards the protection of lives and properties of its citizens, particularly, members of staff and students of the university.
As part of the efforts towards ensuring a safe haven for members of the University community, amidst the security challenges presently facing some parts of our country, Nigeria, FUNAAB has partnered with the Ogun State Commissioner of Police and the Director, State Security Service (SSS), to uphold safety of lives and property of staff and students living within the school environs, following Armed Robbery reports received by students residing in Isolu, a community situated close to the University, which is highly populated by staff and students of FUNAAB.
To this end, the University’s Security Team, in collaboration with the Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) from Odeda and Obantoko areas, both in Abeokuta, Ogun State, often take turns, on a daily basis, to patrol the University environs at night. The University Management has also encouraged the various communities to embrace community policing and vigilante services, to support the efforts of the Police and the SSS.
It is also important to note that students are properly scrutinized during the University’s screening exercise after the Post-Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, to pro-actively ensure that candidates with questionable characters are not admitted into the University. Students have also been cautioned to live a low profile life, avoid attracting unnecessary attention to themselves, be alert, be vigilant about happenings in their surroundings and be free to contact the University’s Chief Security Officer (CSO), in case they notice any strange movement or occurrence around their vicinities.
Towards ensuring that all students reside within the University campus, provision of accommodation is also on the the front-burner of the University. Aside the existing campus hostels which the University had been able to build within its limited resources. FUNAAB has also been able to get well-meaning Nigerians; the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), through its Special Intervention Fund; private organisations; and generous individuals to build additional hostels within the University, which are currently at various stages of completion.
Additionally, the University Management has directed that all lectures do not exceed 6pm daily, to allow students get to their homes before dark, while the University transportation services is always available to convey students, who reside outside the campus, close to their destinations.
Meanwhile, contrary to reports being circulated by certain media, it is pertinent to state that the University did not lose anyone during the recent unrest by students of the University. Rather, the only student, who was hurt when he engaged a Police Officer in a scuffle, is currently receiving attention at the University College Hospital, Ibadan.
Attention has also been drawn to reports on the invitation extended to some Principal Officers of the University by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). As public officers as well as responsible and law abiding citizens, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Olusola Oyewole and the Bursar, Mr. Moses Ilesanmi have since honored the invitation by the anti-graft agency, to make clarifications on issues bordering on the administration of the University.
The University Management assures that the situation is under control, as normal administrative activities continue unabatedly.
