What happened today at Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko, should concern every Ondo citizen and every Nigerian who values human life.
Students took to the streets to protest 68 days of academic paralysis caused by the ongoing strike over unpaid salaries. From the reports and video circulating, what began as a peaceful expression of frustration was reportedly met with the presence of military personnel and shots fired into the air.
This is highly condemnable.
A protest is not a crime. A student does not lose the right to peacefully express his frustration simply because he is angry with government.
The duty of security personnel at a protest is to protect lives, maintain order and prevent violence, not to create fear or provoke the people they are meant to protect.
As an alumnus of AAUA, this is particularly painful to watch. Akungba has witnessed the tragic consequences of excessive force during student protests before. We should not need another death before those entrusted with protecting lives remember the value of restraint.
History has taught us a painful lesson: when security forces take sides in civilian protests, the distance between maintaining order and creating tragedy can become dangerously short.
The Nigerian Army deserves respect for its role in defending the nation. That respect also demands discipline and restraint when dealing with citizens exercising their lawful rights.
Students are not enemies of the state.
Their classrooms have been closed for 68 days. Their academic calendars are disrupted and their futures delayed. Their frustration is understandable.
What they need is not gunfire in the air.
They need government and ASUU back at the negotiating table.
I call on the Ondo State Government, ASUU and all relevant stakeholders to return to genuine dialogue and reach a workable agreement so that AAUA and the other state owned tertiary institutions can reopen.
A peaceful protest should never become a funeral procession.
Let government resolve the strike.
Let security agencies protect, not provoke.
Let our students return to school.
Ondo State cannot afford to sacrifice another generation to an avoidable crisis.
Ogungbemi Adeyemi Orimisan
Cosmopolitan Omo Ikale
Cosmopolitan Bard
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