Osun Govt. Reverses OSCOTECH Tuition Fee After Protest From Students

Yusuf Oketola

THE State Government of Osun has reversed the increment in tui on fees of students of Osun State College of Technology (OSCOTECH), Esa-Oke after the students staged a peaceful protest to the State Secretariat, Abeere, on Monday.

The students who came out in their large numbers besieged the Hall of the Local Government Service Commission where the swearingin of new four appointed High Court judges was going on to prevent the governor from entering.

Armed with placards with different inscripons such as “Say No To Tax Clearance, OSCOTECH”, “No To School Fees Increment” among others, the students demanded immediate reversal of the tui on increment, describing it as callous.

However, the protesters were a ended to and calmed by the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Teslim Igbalaye, who promised that their request would be look into by the Governor.

Speaking with OSUN

DEFENDER on Wednesday, the Students Union Government President of the ins tu on, Comrade Isaac Akamo said they were able to meet Governor Adeleke shortly a er the protest, noting that some of their demands have been addressed.

He said: “We demanded four things from the state government which are; reversal of the school fee increment, tax clearance, construc on of the campus roads, illumina on of the campus.

“The school fees has now been reversed, the tax clearance has been suspended ll further noce. The Governor also promised to construct the campus roads which will be done a er the Deputy Governor come to inspect the condi on of the campus. ment to see to the rehabilitaon of the road.

“On the illumina on of the campus, that will also come a er mee ng with the school management”.

It would be recalled that both OSCOTECH and Osun State Polytechnic, Iree tui on fees were increased at the twilight of former governor Adegboyega Oyetola’s administra on, a development that led to protests by the students.

Ajenisuwa said the road, when fixed, will improve the wellbeing of the people and economic prosperity of the community.

Meanwhile, Urban Alert has also said there were several complains about some people who have been reportedly going to houses at odd hours on the disguise of being staffers of IBEDC to inspect their prepaid metres.

A commentator on Urban Alert’s official facebook page during the “Oju Eleri” programme, said: “some people masquerading as IBEDC staff are going around peoples houses in Osogbo at 11 pm and 5am checking prepaid meters.

“Complainant is calling on IBEDC to clarify if those going around at 11pm and 5am are their staff ”.

Another user wrote, “Officials of IBEDC are alleged to be visi ng houses around 5am and 11 pm in the name of prepaid meter inspec on. How will people differen ate between IBEDC staff and the people of the underworld at night?

“Complainants are calling on IBEDC to address this”.

However, the Public Rela ons Officer of the IBEDC, Osun Region, Mrs. Kikelomo Owoeye, denied the reports, saying that no staff member of the company would go to customer’s house at odd hours.

Kikelomo, in an interview with OSUN DEFENDER yesterday, said: “Our staff do not work at odd hour. Even if we are suspec ng that any of our customers is engaging in illegal connec on or bypassing of metre, we will rather go with law enforcement agent (s) to such places.

“But for our staff to go alone to people’s houses at those odd hours is not part of our schedule.

“I will like to advise the customers that if anybody claims to be an IBEDC staff coming to their premises, they should request for their means of iden fica on. If they can’t provide it, such a person should be handed over to the police.”

Why We’re Embarking On Google Mapping Of Osun – Official

TSuliyat Mustapha Internally Generated Revenue. According to Ishola, the google mapping programme will assist people who are into e-Commerce and aid security opera ves in arres ng criminals anywhere in the state.

HE ongoing google mapping programme embarked upon by Governor Ademola Adeleke’s administraon in the State of Osun has been described as a project that will benefit people living in the rural areas and aid the security of the state.

Media Adviser to the Governor on Informa on, Communica on and Technology, Mr. Sola Ishola, said most of the places in the urban areas were already mapped, calling on residents of the state to key in into the programme to make it work.

Ishola, in an interview with OSUN DEFENDER yesterday, said the programme will give the state a good presence in the global space and boost the

He said: “This is about online presence and that is what we are trying to improve for Osun, such that no part of the state is le out of the world that has been described as a global village.

“So, this mapping thing represents the online presence of the state in the global space and we are trying to ensure that Osun is present and is seen in the global space. Beyond the map, it is about reposi oning Osun State globally.

“The benefits of the mapping are numerous. Part of the benefits is that you can have people coming to the state as tourists and navigate around the state without any issues. It will also help people who are into e-Commerce and logis cs business because people can buy online from anywhere in Osun and send their loca on and the goods will be delivered without stress.

“It will eventually, help to grow the business parts of Osun State, thereby, helping to improve the Internally Generated Revenue.

“It will also help in terms of security because anybody in distress can send his or her loca on and they will be easily traced.

“Majorly, this will be beneficial to the people in the rural areas more. Most of the places in the urban areas are already mapped but many of the rural areas are yet to be mapped and this means that there is no access to them and this makes them lose some opportuni es”.