Editor’s note: The news of how a lecturer at the University of Ilorin slapped the institution’s Students’ Union President, Shobowale Lukman, has triggered reactions from people across the country. While some people believe that the union leader’s unruly action might have made the lecturer to slap him, others opine that the lecturer has no right to slap any student regardless of what he/she does.
In this article, Tijani Sheriffdeen, analyses how the incident occurred and the steps taken by the school management.
The news is spreading like a wild fire not only within the campus but across the country. And to know the details of the incident, I decided to interrogate the Students’ Union President, who explained how the scenario played out.
University of Ilorin
Mr Shobowale Lukman Olawale, is a 400 level student of the Department of History and International Studies, which is one of the Departments of the Faculty of Art.
READ ALSO: UNILORIN suspends union leaders for whistle blowing
Speaking on the incident, Mr Shobowale noted that: “It’s true that the news has spread like wild fire, and it’s also true that the occurrence happened. The incident was as a result of my intercession for the students that voted me to office to serve them.
“I was at the Computer Based Test (CBT) Centre as usual to lend a helping hand to those in charge of coordinating and maintaining discipline among the students who have come to attempt their examinations. It became necessary for me to appear at the centre when cases of student maltreatment were becoming an issue.
“News reached us that students were not being coordinated rightly, as some students were been victimised, even when they have come for examinations. It then became inevitable to show up at the centre to lend helping hands to the authorities in charge of the examination and other hands ensuring the smooth running of the process.
“This I have been doing alongside other executives of my cabinet. I was at the centre the day I was slapped to do the usual; I met some students from the College of Health Science who complained that they weren’t attended to.
“I asked them to line up, but at another side, not to cause confusion. I entered the examination centre and talked to some lecturers, and they agreed to help. But then, I was instructed to see the leadership of the centre, and I went out for that.
“I wasn’t able to see the Chairman in charge, but I found the Secretary who at that time was in a discussion with some lecturers of the Faculty of Engineering, which included the Dean, the Sub-dean and a Senior Lecturer of the department.
“I didn’t enter because it was quite obvious they were in a meeting session. Some few minutes later, a lecturer asked me to go out, and I was trying to make him understand who I am and my reason for standing.
Dr. Abioye
“He asked me to move back and I did as instructed. I was with a student leader at that time, discussing things that had to do with the message I wanted to relay to the Secretary.
“The student was confused as to why a Student Union leader should be addressed in that manner and I told him it’s possible they don’t know my person, then and then did Dr Ajiboye come for me, slapping me and saying I still have the audacity to talk.
And then, the students I lead said no examinations for them again, that an insult to the number one student of this school is an insult to all!
He said that students started their agitation, demanding to know why their president was slapped.
“Of course not, students began their agitation; they wanted to understand why their President should be slapped. In a twinkle of an eye, things began going rowdy. In no time the Deputy Vice-chancellor Academic was at the centre, she hugged me and said she knew me as an easy going person, that I wouldn’t have caused the chaos.
“She pleaded with the student to maintain orderliness as the issue was going to be resolved. You know what? The students around said no, that they wanted to hear my voice. I pleaded with them to allow peace rain and the atmosphere began to smell peace!
Also speaking on his reactions after the slap, he said: “Two wrongs don’t make a right you know. I understand the fact that I know where to complain to, so instead of causing unrest and chaos at the centre, I better let peace rain and we settle the score later.
“My person has learnt a lot about diplomacy and violence and conflict resolution from Mahatma Ghandi and Nelson Mandela, even my respected department has thought me much about diplomacy, do I then need to cause uproar?
“To be sincere with you, I have seen and read a whole lot of articles and poems connected to this incident. Just as I said above, two wrongs don’t make a right; I couldn’t have slapped the man, even though I was disappointed! I didn’t expect such act from a man of his person.
“Imagine I created a scene yesterday, much of what we are saying today we wouldn’t be saying because things might take the worst turn. It takes diplomacy to decide in situations like this. I took the decision of doing nothing, and I have no iota of regret!
“Leadership position is a fragile position, where one needs to be cautious of his or her actions, as steps mistaken can be very detrimental. I appreciate all Unilorites’ comments!
On the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Abdulganiyu Ambali’s intervention, Shobowale noted that: “The Vice-chancellor was fatherly as ever, and he promised that the right steps would be taken to ensure justice prevails.
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“Yes, justice would prevail, that I’m sure of. The more reason why students want to see to the end of this is because the school is always apt in deciding the fate of wanting students, they want to know if a wanting lecture would be brought to book too. It’s as simple as that.
“You know what? Shobowale Lukman Olawale has forgiven Dr. Abioye, but it’s beyond me to say that the Presidency, Central Executive Council members, Senate Council members and the over 40,000 students that voted me into power have forgiven the unruly act of Dr Abioye. Let’s seat back and watch where this leads to!
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