NO RENOVATION DURING SESSION – AWOLOWO HALL OCCUPANTS HOLD PEACEFUL DEMONSTRATION OVER EVICTION ORDER

NO RENOVATION DURING SESSION – AWOLOWO HALL OCCUPANTS HOLD PEACEFUL DEMONSTRATION OVER EVICTION ORDER

By Goodness Olope

On April 23, at about 11pm, occupants of Obafemi Awolowo Hall of Residence were informed by the hall’s executive members that renovation activities are set to commence on Monday, April 27.

According to the announcement, the directive reportedly came from the University Management, mandating the immediate eviction of occupants in Blocks 7 and 8, with residents expected to vacate the hall by Sunday, April 26.

The development was met with dissatisfaction and mixed reactions from hall occupants, who described the decision as sudden, poorly planned, and given without sufficient notice.

To express their concerns and gather opinions, an impromptu congress was held at the hall cafeteria, Awo Café, on Thursday night, where occupants reportedly described the move as insensitive and lacking room for dialogue.

They also argued that student welfare had been neglected in the process, noting that accommodation arrangements for displaced students remain unclear, especially given the existing overcrowding in the hall.

Following the congress, a peaceful demonstration was held from Awo Café to the Student Union Building, where hundreds of occupants marched to express their displeasure over what they termed a harsh and imposing approach by the university management.

The demonstrators maintained that their action was peaceful and without violence or damage to property. An occupant of the hall emphasized that, “It was a peaceful demonstration, not a protest, and nothing was damaged.”

The occupants further called on the school management and the Dean of Students Affairs to personally address residents of Awolowo Hall of Residence to provide clarity and engage in dialogue over the eviction and renovation plans.