FCA, Ibadan crises: Alumni Association calls for Buhari’s intervention

The National Executive of the Federal College of Agriculture, Moor Plantation, Ibadan Alumni Association, has urged the duo of President Muhammadu Buhari and the Minister of Agriculture, Chief Audu Ogbeh to wade into the crises rocking the institution before it degenerated into a full blown disaster.  

Condemning the recent clash between the students and men of the Oyo State Police Command, the association hinted that the situation in the college was becoming unbearable, hence the attention of President Buhari and Chief Audu Ogbeh was needed to forestall further breakdown of laws and order in the institution.

Contained in a press statement issued after its emergency meeting last week Thursday and signed by Comrade Emmanuel Bankole and Mr. Taiwo Oduola, National President and National Secretary respectively, FCA Alumni said it condemns in strong terms the breakdown of law and order, and wanton destruction of properties at institution.

In the statement titled, “FCA Alumni calls for government intervention on the crisis rocking the College” urged President Muhammadu Buhari and Chief Ogbeh to restore normalcy in the institution without further delay.

The ex-students stressed that the institution has trained many graduates who have contributed to the agricultural development in the country, declaring that the oldest agricultural institution in the country should not continue to be engulfed in avoidable crises.

“The National Executive of the Federal College of Agriculture, Moor Plantation, Ibadan Alumni association Ibadan at its emergency meeting held on Thursday, 16th November, 2017 condemns in strong terms the breakdown of law and order, and wanton destruction of properties at the Moor Plantation campus of the institution and urges the Federal Government to restore normalcy without further delay.

“The Federal College of Agriculture, Moor-Plantation, Ibadan is the oldest agricultural training institution in West Africa established in 1921.

“The College, as part of its mandates, has successfully trained graduates who have contributed immensely to the agricultural development and food security of the nation.

“The FCA Alumni has been observing with keen interest the imbroglio between the management of the college, the staff unions and the students which has been lingering for  the past few months.

“On Monday, 12th November, 2017, the crisis erupted which led to a clash between Federal College of Agriculture students and the police during a protest against the students inability to receive lectures for the past few months. It resulted into casualties among Research staff and students on the campus.

“The Alumni therefore wishes to state unequivocally that the situation in the Moor Plantation campus is becoming unbearable and hereby call on all stakeholders especially the Honourable Minister of Agriculture, Chief Audu Ogbeh to step in and take urgent actions.

“The college is a trail blazer in the training of agricultural students in Nigeria and had been a peaceful institution rights from its inception until recent times”, the statement continued.