The Great Ife Students’ Union strongly condemned the presence of a representative from the Wale Omole Foundation on campus during the Freshers’ Orientation Programme held on Monday, 28 October, at Oduduwa Hall.
This incident sparked outrage due to Wale Omole’s alleged involvement in the cultist attack in 1999 that resulted in the deaths of five individuals, including George Iwilade, popularly known as Afrika, who was then the Secretary-General of the Students’ Union.
The Students’ Union views the university administration’s actions as disregarding the painful history of the Wale Omole era. They rejected attempts to normalize or dignify figures connected to negligence and complicity.
Recall that on July 10th, 1999, cultists brutally murdered Afrika and four other students, leaving a lasting scar on the institution’s collective memory.
In response, the Students’ Union took immediate action by exiting the venue, removing banners belonging to the Wale Omole Foundation, and demanding the representative’s departure from campus.
They emphasized their commitment to preserving the sanctity of the campus and honouring those who lost their lives in the fight for a safer environment.
The Great Ife Students’ Union remains resolute in its dedication to upholding a safe, secure, and dignified campus for all students.
It firmly opposes any efforts to rebrand, rehabilitate, or elevate figures associated with painful memories and reaffirms its stance against cultism.