By Oluwakemi Ishola
Emmanuel Alayande College of Education, Oyo College Management has on Monday, 21 September, 2020, met with members of the College neighbouring communities ahead of resumption of students at a date to be announced by the College Management.
In a release made available by the Special Assistant to the Provost on Media Matters, Wale Adeoye, the Provost, Dr. Rasak A. Adefabi, fien, fcai, J.P who in company of other College Management team addressed the representatives of communities’ landlord associations and Okada riders at a meeting held at the Tetfund Hall, School of Education of the institution appealed for the support of the landlords and Okada riders on curtailing of COVID-19 pandemic and issues of students’ security and comfort.
According to the College Chief Executive, “this meeting which is the first of its kind in the annals of history of the College is necessary and it is aimed at conveying the directive of the Oyo State Government on guidelines to curtail the spread of COVID-19 pandemic to you all.” “As a College Management, we have put all necessary machineries in place for students’ resumption but such arrangements are incomplete without your support. I therefore plead with you all to join us in this collective fight against the pandemic,” the Provost added.
Speaking further, the College helmsman acknowledged the show of love and understanding by the landlords which has engendered coexistence in amity. “As a _locu parentis_ to these students, we want to further charge you to be tolerant with them. As younger ones, they are fallible but with your support, they shall be properly molded. May you all reap the fruits of your labour”, he prayed.
Responding, the landlords and Okada riders appreciated the College Management for the invitation. They promised to support the College authority in the fight against COVID-19 and further pledged to ensure living in peace and harmony with the students as it has always been. “We shall look at ways to ameliorate their problems in the area of house rent whenever they resume”.
The parley also agreed that Town and Gown meetings should be held quaterly to monitor issues affecting the institution and the communities.
Landlords from Ayedire, Ayetoro, New Ifelagba, Aloba, Oroki, Jaleosimi, Kalesanmi, Oke Mogi among others and representatives of okada riders attended the meeting while the Student Union President, Mr. Salahudeen Sofiyullah Adeola in company of his other Executive were also in attendance.
