SUG leaders in OAU fight over N3.8 million

Two students have been left injured after a fight broke out on Tuesday among executives of the Students Union Government in the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife.

The Vice President of the union, Miss Jacob Tosin, allegedly stabbed the Social Director, Adedayo Emmanuel, in the arm with a broken bottle.

It was gathered that Tosin, who also received a headbutt from Emmanuel, had been admitted to the Seventh Day Adventist Hospital, Ile-Ife.

The fight ensued during a meeting were deliberations were held on how to spend a sum of N3.8m released to the union by the university authorities.

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The student leaders had earlier been accused of misappropriation when they used a previous disbursement of N3m in June to purchase a bus as students of the institution insisted that the bus was bought for N900,000.

During the Tuesday meeting, one of the leaders told PUNCH Metro that the union’s President, Ibukun Edward, asked other executive members for a project that could be financed with the N3.8m.

While the president reportedly suggested the construction of a relaxation centre for the students, the Public Relations Officer, Simon Okediji, reportedly pushed for a library. The Welfare Director, Ajiboye Adekanmi, was said to have asked that a staircase to a major lecture theatre be constructed, among others.

The VP, popularly called Emerald, was said to have proposed that freshmen’s packages should be sponsored with part of the money. Her plan was allegedly rejected.

According to the executive member, who spoke on condition of anonymity, Emerald flared up and attempted to leave the meeting, but was persuaded to stay till the end.

He said, “She proposed N1.4m for the freshmen’s packages. We told her that when we get the dues for this session, we would look into her suggestion. She flared up and was about leaving the meeting when Lamba (Emmanuel) jokingly told her not to leave and stood on her way. She slapped him twice and held his shirt.

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“We separated them and continued with the meeting, but the VP was still angry. After a while, we just saw her rushing to open the refrigerator of the president; she was looking for a bottle. We thought it was a joke and someone pointed her attention to an empty bottle; she smashed it on the table. When the bottle didn’t break, she smashed it on the floor and took a part of the broken bottle, charged at Lamba and stabbed him in the arm. While we struggled to collect the bottle, Lamba also headbutted her.”

When contacted on the telephone, Emerald’s phone was picked by her friend, one Dayo.

She said, “This is not Emerald. This is her friend. She is not feeling fine at all. She can’t speak right now. When she is okay, she will get back to you.”

Dayo explained that Emerald had been referred to the Seventh Day Adventist for treatment by the OAU Health Centre, where she was initially rushed to.

Attempts to reach Lamba proved abortive as calls put across to his telephone number didn’t go through.

However, the PRO of the OAU SUG confirmed the incident.

He said, “What happened is not something we can keep elaborating on. The breaking of a bottle occurred in a meeting held inside the president’s office is not an issue for public consumption and it has been resolved. Even at home and at the federal level, we have misunderstanding. So, we had one here and it has been settled. This is a human setting and anybody can pick an offence.”

Also, head of Students Affairs Division of the OAU, Prof. Isiaka Aransi, confirmed that N3.8m was released to the union leaders.

“The money has been disbursed. It is their money and it was approved for disbursement,” he added.

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