By: Gideon Ajose
Did George Iwilade a.k.a Afrika Kill Himself?; A Historical Reconstruction of July 10, 1999
• Every Society is a Product of Struggle - Pius Adesanmi
• The trees of Freedom are always watered by the blood of Traitors, Enablers of Traitors and Martyrs alike - Anonymous
Just like that, it has been 20years since Afrika and 4 others were killed on OAU campus in a night that would never be forgotten in the history of the Institution. This was a night when dare devil cult members of the Black Axe members numbering up to 40 did what seemed like a 9/11 attack on OAU Campus, I guess you already know all these and I am not here to tell you what you already know.
First is the issue that George Iwilade was a Member of Black Axe Confraternity; this allegation is usually peddled by revisionist who always try to paint the young hero as a villain, it was said that Afrika was killed for in-house disagreement that occurred when he was continually apprehending the members of his Fraternity, this allegation falls flat on the ground in view of historical facts that Afrika was a member of the Kegites which at that time on OAU Campus was the biggest campaigner against Cultism after the Students' Union, also another allegation was how the Students knew Cult Members were having a meeting at the Staff Quarters where Guns, Axes and Machetes were recovered which led to the build up of July 10. The Union isn't a person neither is the Union simply the Executive, the Union had so many intelligence officers all around, Both on Campus and off Campus and were very instrumental at apprehending them!
Did Wale Omole instigate the Murder? In the face of accusations, The then VC had a connection with the cult guys, some even alleged that he was their patron, this is further buttressed by account of meeting with the cult members days before the attack, some however have alleged that the Cultists felt offended by Afrika's challenge to their patron and killed him as a result without prior knowledge of the VC, Some even said the Cultists were out to protect one of their own sponsors by ensuring that all the students who stood against them were eliminated.
All these conspiracy theories have a simple answer and that is the simple fact that the VC, Bursar and Financial officers couldn't explain the amount that was released from the school account days to the attack that was received by on of the Cultists. No amount of rejoinder can ever absolve Omole from Afrika's Death! How come all the Telephone lines of all Security men on Campus wasnt active during the attack? Where did the cultists pass when they were going and when they were coming in? All these are still begging for answers!
It has been 20years and on, Afrika, Eviano and the other three students Blood who were gruesomely murdered are still seeking for Justice, Nigeria's justice system failed them and it is currently failing us.
Another menace is here especially with the issue of #WinterInOAU, to think that some people died for this campaign against Cultism and Cultists allegedly sent threat to OAU is nauseating, the Students' Union remains the only platform to combat exploitation, Cultism, oppression and all form of social Vices on Campus.
It was the Union that called the Mother of all Congress in the wee hours after the attack that captured all the assailants, it was also the Union that agitated for the Dualization of the Lagos Ibadan Expressway, it was the Union that sufficiently regulated the prices of goods on campus, it was the Union that saw to the rescue of Dipo Fashina (Jingo) when the DSS came to kidnap him, it was the Union that regulated the prices of bike and 'Town-Igbaro' on campus, it was the Union that ensured that Mozambique queens weren't assaulted by Porters, it has always been the Union that has been our shield even in the Face of doom, Students must collectively demand for a Democratic Union and do all it can to protect it from political Jobbers and fools seeking relevance. Only the Union can successfully protect it's members, every security check put in place by the Management is to be corroborated by the Union.
Before I go, OAU was shut in 2015/2016 session not because of OAU Students' Union but because the Management couldn't agree on who becomes VC, the excuse of the Management for the continuous Proscription of the Students' Union has outlived it essence, We need our Union Back.
"Ajose Gideon is the GrandSon of a Vice Chancellor"
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