To enthrone peace, stability and improve security within the University and in the adjoining communities, FUNAAB Management has met with chairmen and secretaries of the various Community Development Associations (CDAs) that made up the adjoining communities of the University; other stakeholders such as representatives of security outfits; Police Community Relations’ Committee (PCRC); and students’ representatives, among others. Chairing the meeting, under the aegis of Standing Committee on Relationship with Communities Adjoining the University (SCORAC), the Dean, Student Affairs, Professor Adeniyi Olayanju, had described security as a matter of interest to University Management.
The Dean informed stakeholders that the University was not resting on its oars, as various committees had been constituted through the University Senate, which included the Committee on Students’ Unrest (COMISU). He added that the constitution of COMISU birthed the Senate Committee on off-Campus Policy for Students (SECOCPS) residing outside the University campus, while SECOCPS had recommended the establishment of the Sub-Committee on Off-campus Students Accommodation and Welfare (SOCSAW) and then the Senate Committee on Off-campus Residence for Students. Professor Olayanju said that the various committees were backed up by the University Senate to carry out their terms of reference and with a resolve to support students’ welfare. He stated further that a Desk Officer had been appointed to relate with all on any issue bordering on complaints and observations, as he charged the various CDA chairmen and secretaries to feel free to call or visit the Student Affairs Division’s office and submit their messages with the Desk Officer, who would in turn, forward them to the appropriate quarters, for necessary action. On behalf of the University, Professor Olayanju thanked stakeholders in the Harmony Estate, for donating a piece of land for the building of a police station, as he disclosed that the University was supporting the building of the police station with the sum of N15 million.
At the meeting, the Chairman, Senate Committee on Off-Campus Policy for Students (SECOCPS), Professor Toyin Arowolo, who was represented by the Director, Directorate of Grants Management, Professor Kola Adebayo, read out the recommended policies the various committees had so far presented for adoption, as well as the efforts of the University at ensuring peace with the communities. According to Professor Arowolo, the University had resolved to buy two utility vehicles; one for the Student Affairs’ Division, to be used for field-work and for reaching out to the various communities, while the second is for the Environmental Unit, for security purposes; within and outside the University campus. He added that FUNAAB had compensated all the people that had their properties damaged during the students’ unrest, through the monies generated from the reparation fees paid by students.
Aside the compensation and buying of utility vehicles, Professor Arowolo also disclosed that the University had set aside money, to buy a fire-fighting van during emergencies that would be used by FUNAAB and the communities. He further informed the meeting that the University would now ensure that the welfare of students living off-campus was better protected. To achieve this, the University would ensure adequate availability of hostel spaces, kitchen and toilet facilities, laundry facilities, electricity, potable water, access and exit points, record-keeping by house owner, hygiene and parking spaces for vehicles. Others include the provision of suitable security facility, appropriate rent charges and Closed-circuit Television (CCTV), among others. Professor Arowolo disclosed that any student living off-campus and found wanting, while students are expected to live in the hostel approved by the University.
The Chairman, Police Community Relations’ Committee (PCRC), Hon. Akinlabi Taiwo, thanked FUNAAB for its efforts and noted that one of the duties of PCRC was to ensure that security was guaranteed in the entire jurisdiction under it. Also, the Chairman, Joint FUNAAB Community Development Committee (JFCDC), Chief Sulaimon Fatola, described the intervention by the University as laudable and signified a new dawn for both FUNAAB and the communities. Chief Sulaimon said that the various adjoining communities had made several efforts since 2012, to work with the University in respect of security matters, but that every move made could not sail through, for bureaucratic reasons. The Divisional Officer, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Odeda Division, Superintendent Victor Oluwole-Phillips, had canvassed for an enhanced unity between the University and its adjoining community, as the sustainable means to ensure peace and progress, while charging the people to always feel free to provide information bothering on security matters to the necessary security outfits while useful questions and answers were provided at the parley.