Students hurl stones at provost, lecturers over plan to bar fee defaulters

The Kwara State College of Education, Ilorin, has announced the indefinite closure of the school following violent protests by the students. Scores of students of the institution allegedly protested against plans by the authorities to disallow students who had defaulted in school fee payment from participating in the semester exams. Alleged incitement against Kwara gov’t: […]

The Kwara State College of Education, Ilorin, has announced the indefinite closure of the school following violent protests by the students.

Scores of students of the institution allegedly protested against plans by the authorities to disallow students who had defaulted in school fee payment from participating in the semester exams.

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Displeased by the management’s plan, the defaulting students allegedly went on rampage, destroying and damaging property.

A lecturer at the institution, who craved anonymity, told Daily Trust that the students hurled stones, sachet water and other missiles at some members of staff and the provost’s office.

Despite the intervention of the Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Dr Afeez Abolore, who personally intervened in the matter, the students were said to have remained adamant.

Members of the college’s academic staff union had also earlier agreed not to participate in the examinations in protest against non-payment of their one and half months’ salaries.

Adducing reasons for the closure of the college, the acting provost, Dr Ayinla Jimoh, said the irate students allegedly damaged the personal vehicle of the Deputy Provost (Academic).

Dr Jimoh added that the over 500 students yet to pay their school fees spearheaded the protest “despite the intervention of the commissioner.”

He said: “We had agreed to allow the defaulting students to take part in the examinations based on the intervention of the commissioner. Rather than appreciate the commissioner’s gesture, the students went on a rampage.

“They started throwing stones, sachet water, and other things at us. As I am talking to you now, we have closed down the college indefinitely.

“As per the salary arrears, the state governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, met with the college academic staff last week and promised to pay the salaries promptly.

“The governor gave his word. That informed the decision of the staff not to boycott the examinations,” the acting provost said.