Crescent
University breaks silence over alleged denial of parents, maltreatment of Ogun
journalist during convocation
University breaks silence over alleged denial of parents, maltreatment of Ogun
journalist during convocation
The management of Crescent University,
Abeokuta, on Sunday said that none of the bona fide parent of its students was
denied access to the venue of its 11 convocation, which took place on Saturday.
Abeokuta, on Sunday said that none of the bona fide parent of its students was
denied access to the venue of its 11 convocation, which took place on Saturday.
DAILY POST gathered that a female
journalist reporting for the Ogun State Broadcasting Corporation (OGBC),
Abeokuta, was alleged to have been beaten by some angry parents during the 11th
convocation ceremony of Crescent University.
journalist reporting for the Ogun State Broadcasting Corporation (OGBC),
Abeokuta, was alleged to have been beaten by some angry parents during the 11th
convocation ceremony of Crescent University.
It was learnt that crisis ensued
when the journalist, Jumoke Onafowora, struggled with the parents to gain access
into the convocation hall to perform her official duty.
when the journalist, Jumoke Onafowora, struggled with the parents to gain access
into the convocation hall to perform her official duty.
Onafowora, who was a member of Ogun
Deputy Governor’s Press Crew, was allegedly attacked as the unhappy parents
tore her clothes; protesting their inability to enter a hall where their
children were being convocated.
Deputy Governor’s Press Crew, was allegedly attacked as the unhappy parents
tore her clothes; protesting their inability to enter a hall where their
children were being convocated.
But, the institution while reacting
said that none of the bonafide parent of its students was denied access to the
venue of the convocation.
said that none of the bonafide parent of its students was denied access to the
venue of the convocation.
The institution said that those who
disguised as parents and were allegedly denied access to the venue were either
gatecrashers or those who were looking for help from dignitaries.
disguised as parents and were allegedly denied access to the venue were either
gatecrashers or those who were looking for help from dignitaries.
Public Relations Officer of the
institution, Mr. Idris Katib, in a statement made available to DAILY POST on
Sunday, said that those who raised the allegations; the supposed parents and
Onafowora arrived the Bola Ajibola Auditorium venue of the convocation about
two hours behind deadline set for graduands and guests to have seated.
institution, Mr. Idris Katib, in a statement made available to DAILY POST on
Sunday, said that those who raised the allegations; the supposed parents and
Onafowora arrived the Bola Ajibola Auditorium venue of the convocation about
two hours behind deadline set for graduands and guests to have seated.
“Both the alleged parents and the
Ogun State Broadcasting Corporation (OGBC) reporter Jumoke Onafowora arrived
the Bola Ajibola Auditorium venue of the convocation about two hours behind
deadline set for graduands and guests to have seated.
Ogun State Broadcasting Corporation (OGBC) reporter Jumoke Onafowora arrived
the Bola Ajibola Auditorium venue of the convocation about two hours behind
deadline set for graduands and guests to have seated.
“All over the world, universities
have rules and regulations guiding their ceremonies especially on punctuality,
timeliness and conduct. Crescent University is not an exception in this
academic culture.
have rules and regulations guiding their ceremonies especially on punctuality,
timeliness and conduct. Crescent University is not an exception in this
academic culture.
“All students, parents and their
guests had earlier been notified that they must be seated by 9.30 a.m. before
the procession of the university chancellor at 10 a.m.
guests had earlier been notified that they must be seated by 9.30 a.m. before
the procession of the university chancellor at 10 a.m.
“We are appalled that the journalist
in question, had, according to the report, struggled with ‘the parents’ to gain
access into the convocation hall around midday, more than two hours after the
deadline, whereas an alternative comfortable 500 seater Marquee under which
there were large screen TV monitors projecting the programme had been
adequately provided for those who arrived late.”
in question, had, according to the report, struggled with ‘the parents’ to gain
access into the convocation hall around midday, more than two hours after the
deadline, whereas an alternative comfortable 500 seater Marquee under which
there were large screen TV monitors projecting the programme had been
adequately provided for those who arrived late.”
“Since our vision was not only
academic but with moral rectitude, no guest, including the journalist in
question could have been allowed by the security staff after procession of the
chancellor and even representative of the governor had been seated and the
programme was already halfway.
academic but with moral rectitude, no guest, including the journalist in
question could have been allowed by the security staff after procession of the
chancellor and even representative of the governor had been seated and the
programme was already halfway.
“Preliminary investigations have
revealed that no bona-fide parent was involved and that the people with which
the aforementioned journalist had a brawl were most likely to be gate-crashers,
touts and miscreants disguised as parents since important ceremonies are
usually besieged by such people to beg for money and curry favour with
dignitaries.”
revealed that no bona-fide parent was involved and that the people with which
the aforementioned journalist had a brawl were most likely to be gate-crashers,
touts and miscreants disguised as parents since important ceremonies are
usually besieged by such people to beg for money and curry favour with
dignitaries.”