IF ALUTA CONTINUA, VICTORIA IS CERTAIN: GREAT IFE, ANSA, NANS, THANK YOU

Afoo Reevo Appreciation Letter to Great IFE students , ANSA members , NANS

The fact is, when men carry the same ideals in their hearts, nothing can isolate them – neither prison walls nor the sod of cemeteries. For a single memory, a single spirit, a single idea, a single conscience, a single dignity will sustain them all – Fidel Castro

To start with, it must be noted that the University authorities and students have always stood in constant opposition against each other, because the former are in office to defend certain policies to include that of the Paymasters(Government)in Aso Rock, while the students are also there to defend and protect their interests and welfare.

On the 29th of March, following the release of OAU5 that were illegally arrested by the University Security. On their release from prison, I alongside other students came to celebrate these students who stood to defend the legendary and revolutionary history of the Great Ife Students’ Union only for us to discover that two of them have their eportal pages blocked. When I immediately checked my eportal page, it was still active.

On the 2nd of April, after making numerous efforts to access my eportal page, it was then I confirmed that some Authorities have finally made their threats come to pass. Earlier this year, I and some other few students’ activist had been threatened because of our selfless agitations towards criticizing the University policies which threatens our survival from seeing the light of the day.During the struggle, some notable students who work with the University in fact approached me to preach the sermon of ‘go and beg, after all you can’t win the authorities’. Do you want to be like Omole etc.’. While my own position remains the same, that on no condition will I apologize for the offense I have not committed and that we will continue to demand for our basic rights as students despite the immediate position which is not favourable at all.

Students must however understand the fact it was due to their agitations and pressure, no matter how minute that led to our unconditional reinstatement without compromising stands.

This piece won’t be complete if I do not appreciate the efforts of some individuals who took it up on themselves to facilitate our reinstatement.

First, I commend the leadership of the ACTION COMMITTEE, GREAT IFE STUDENTS’ UNION, who at any opportunity was always campaigning and demanding for our reinstatement, and leading struggle for the interest of all. NANS ZONE D Coordinator, Ogunmah Karl Segun (Speaker Great Ife SU 06/07), Adeleke Emmanuel Olorunwa Goddey(CSO Great Ife SU 08/09), Ola Rotimi (PRO, Great Ife SU 02/04, Speaker 05/06) Sanayolu Juwon (National Coordinator ANSA) Sammie (CSO Great Ife SU 11/13) Comrade Ola, Sodunola Obafemi Trotsky, Femi Adeyeye, and all other senior cadres who were always available to guide me to remain undaunted.

Also, I will like to thank Great Ife comrades who stood with me during the struggle, persons like Ideal Brewster; my Chairman, Gbenga Von, Yuslaw, Dunnex, Lenin, Bazzdom, EmmanOEmma, Koye, Olamarx, Seyi Struggle, Amethyst, members of Pacesetters Movement, ANSA, DSM, ERC and all other radical platforms on campus. The efforts of all other progressives who were always campaigning for our reinstatement is also noticed and I say thank you. To my former room mates in Awo Hall who never got tired of sharing bcs and responding when we come for announcements, I say thank you.

To the ever conservative class of candor, who have in fact kept mute on matters that affect them, I say thank you. To all Journalists on campus especially Kabir, Samad, Alfred, Cyrus and all others who were available to hear our views and publish without being hypocritical, I say thank you. Also, to friends from Modakeke, who didn’t act like amebo to report at home the issue of my victimization on campus, I say thank you and I remain grateful.

To all other friends, in Nigeria and Diaspora, I say thank you for your countless advice that kept me till date. To all other Great Ife Students, this is a not Victory for one, but a Victory for us all.

However, students must understand that the struggle is not yet over, but this current victory is only a prelude to all other struggles that will be won.

Students must understand that it is necessary we start a massive campaign against the attack on Students’ Unionism as it is only the Union that makes us Stronger!

Thanks!

Aluta Continua, Victoria ascerta!!!

Alawode Afolajesubi Samuel ( Afoo Revo) is a Responsible and Cultured Student of Obafemi Awolowo University who just got reinstated without compromising. He is a member of the Pacesetters Movement and the Alliance of Nigerian Students against NeoLiberal Attacks(ANSA).

contact 09030875802 email address: alawodeafolabi20@gmail.com.

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