It’s FOUR (4) years you left us. We reflect upon the life itself. Life, not without its lessons, sweet and otherwise. As we remember you this day, what came to mind are your deeds when you were alive. You were all shining stars in your domains.
Abiodun Akintola, you were the SUG president of Adeyemi College of Education, Ondo, and the only child of your mother. You were a wonderful and a dependable ally. You were no doubt your parent’s bet for the future. You were never found wanting amidst valedictorians during your days.’Phenomenon’, as you were fondly called by your friends and foes alike, you were a command in leadership. We never got your best!
Olotu Oyinkansola, ‘mother’ as I fondly call you. You were a fearless young lady who cared less about whose horse is being gored when it comes to saying the truth. You were afraid of poverty.Hence, your resolve to forge ahead amidst the demise of your parents at a tender age. We missed what you aspired to become!
Adedapo Julius Awopegba ‘DPO – DUE PROCESS ONLY’, so your name goes. You were in greater order a great observant of the rule. Dapo, you were a gentle friend who most of the time, we challenged your interest in the murky water of the game of unionism/politics. Dapo, you were a pastor-cum-students’ leader, you were always quick to quote the bible to justify your actions and inactions. I call you my gentle friend.You could have travelled to the UK for a leadership training session, a month later, the cold hands of death snatched you from us. Your family in Ibadan will have to wait eternally to get from their child – their hopes of generations! Adieu.
Aremo Olugbenga Oyebode ‘Ibile’. For years, yourself and I were quick to call to order, any erring leader and follower respectively. My ‘no nonsense’ friend,you lived and stood for what you believed. At a time, you were suspended with other colleagues of yours on the account of your opposition to the draconian policies of the authorities of the Adeyemi College of Education, Ondo. Ibile, you were loved by many on your pragmatic dispositions to issues. As NANS/JCC Chairman, Ondo/Ekiti Hemisphere ,which we both fought for but you were favoured, you were the first to make peace with me even while I was fighting you. You later allowed Ondo Axis to remain without fussion and friction. Do I say, you were the ‘best NANS President we never had?’ Rest on a great leader and friend!
It is often said that “integrity is doing what you will do, how you said you will do it and when you said you will do it”. As we mark the fourth year remembrance you left us and we reflect on events that has permeated our existence these years, we wish to remind you that we have always preached what you lived for.
July 13th, 2012 was a red letter day. This day, you all lost the battle with the almighty death and few others were permanently disabled. Some moved from one hospital to the other in search of good health. One of your comrades now talks off points anytime you initiate a discussion with him. One is yet to not conveniently rotate his neck properly. Sadly, no one talks about them anymore!
My dear friends, you will recall we fought together, the Adeyemi College of Education, Ondo (ACE) struggle on several platforms and fronts. There were times we had to shuttle media houses and outlets. We fought hard to secure an appointment with the then Minister of Education, Prof Ruqayyat Rufai in order to put an end to the crisis on your campus. We met with her hours before you bade us goodbye.
Shortly after you died, at ACE ,Ondo,your friends and colleagues, sold your struggles for paltry sum.The management were later allowed to impose reparations fees of about N18,000 on each student. This was what we were vehemently opposed to till death put asunder. I know you will weep for our generation from the land beyond!
As I groan in pains on my hospital bed somewhere in Ibadan, the news filtered to me that the governor of Ondo state, Dr Olusegun Mimiko visited FUTA in order to pacify the protesting student’s who were protesting the death of their president, Dapo Awopegba ‘DPO’ (and I was informed that remains the biggest students’ protest in the annals of FUTA). The governor promised to immortalize you all and to take full responsibilities of those injured in the accident. This promised was made on the eve of July 14th, 2012. Till date, we are yet to hear from them!
On your immortalization, we have boundlessly took on the authority concerned to redeem its pledge.
My dear friends, we have had causes to ask if the sack of lecturers and non-academic staffs of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko, Ondo State,was a form of immortalization two months you left this world?
Comrades, let me not belabour your souls. Few months after you sojourned to great beyond, lecturers of Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo (RUGIPO) who were agitating for the welfare of the friends and colleagues, lost their lives in an acident while returning from a meeting they had with the Ondo State Government. The students paid dearly for this. I am sure you all fraternize together in the bosom of the Lord.
In the same RUGIPO, fees were increased astronomically with students leaders who expressed dissenting view rusticated and some, suspended!
My dear friends, the pitiable state of the Ondo State University of Science and Technology, Okitipupa (OSUSTECH), do not reflect your aspirations. The institution was 3-year old when you departed. As I write, the school has only a faculty and five departments in all with only one standing building! I know this will amuse you. The students pay through their noses, with their lecturers and non-academic staff in perpetual hunger and abject penury. As I write you, your younger friends and colleagues domiciled in OSUSTECH have been home for over 2 months now when staff could no longer serve with empty stomach. Ha, your brothers and sisters now live and study in the zoo along Igbokoda road!
My dear friend, your brothers and sisters you left here no longer enjoy any privilege in form of bursary and scholarship from the outgoing Ondo State Government.
My dear colleagues, just recently, an inhumane and wicked reparation fees was imposed on the students of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko (AAUA). Some of their students’ leaders rusticated and some, suspended, without fair hearing for airing their contrasting on the issue.
Colleagues, I am presently sad as the management of RUGIPO is planing imposing another wicked reparation fees on the students. This is connected to the face off between RUGIPO students and men of Nigerian Police Force (NPF) recently. Some students leaders are presently facing students disciplinary committee for their role in the just struggle against the killing of one of their schoolmate by the reckless and careless driving of some NPF officials.
The rot haven’t excluded your friends and colleagues you left in the struggle. Your once highly respected constituency is now a huge joke. Your friends and contemporaries in the struggle are now first grade liars and hypocrite whose stock in trade is now backbiting and backstabbing.
My dear friends, rest on as I write you in my yet to be published works namely:
(I) The Man and The Government
and
(II) The Scars of a Journey
Adieu my #ONDO4!
Owonola Abiodun ‘Equity’ is a survivor of the ghastly motor accident that claimed the lives of four students’ leaders in Ondo State.
samaonpoint's Blog 
hmmmmmm…………….. sadning *wipes tears*