Students of Gateway ICT Polytechnic, Saapade, have begged Governor Dapo Abiodun, to save them from the incessant harassments they suffer from local security agents operating within their campus.
The students made the appeal on Monday, when the governor met them for an interactive discussion on ways to improve their welfare as students of higher learning in the state.
Speaking, the students said local security men do beat them at any slightest error.
An ND2 student of Marketing, Blessing Adeyi, who spoke on behalf of other students, said the harassment was becoming too unbearable, saying, “they are treating us like kids.
According to Adeyi, the security agents have the blessing of the school management, especially the Dean of Students Affairs, to beat students, regardless of their gender.
Adeyi told DAILY POST how she was recklessly beaten and dragged by the said campus security guards, for allegedly wearing a top they considered ‘inappropriate’ for the polytechnic.
“The moment you have an issue with one of them, others will join and they will start slapping you, dragging you like a criminal. They once beat me and slapped me for wearing this top. That’s why I wore it today, maybe they will beat me again. Then, people will know what they are doing is not good.”
In his reaction, Gov Abiodun expressed surprise that students are being treated in such manners.
Represented by his Special Assistant on Students Affairs, Azeez Adeyemi, the governor said he would not tolerate any form of harassment from security guards to students of the polytechnic.
He appreciated the fact that the school management is making concerted efforts to ensure good conducts among students, this, he said should not expose them to any form of harassment; saying “students should be handled honourably because they are our pride in Ogun State.
“I have told our students to eschew cultism, indecency, violence among other other social vices and I know they are law-abiding. I won’t allow anybody security agent to harass them for any reason. If they violate any rules, please handle them with dignity and respect; be professional in dealing with them,” he warned.
Speaking further, Adeyemi addressed other requests of the students, assuring them of necessary intervention from the government of Ogun State.
According to him, the state government would liaise with the Chairman of Remo North Local Government to drill boreholes in students populated areas within the host communities, so as to put an end to water scarcity.
The Special Assistant also revealed that government, in partnership with private developers, would build hostels on campuses in the state, adding that the learning environment and the classrooms would be made conducive for students in Ogun.
In his words, the Rector of the polytechnic, Dr Isaiah Oyeyinka, recalled how he has transformed the institution from shambles to what it is now, within five years.
Oyeyinka reiterated his commitments to making life better for the students, especially the indigent ones.
He said the polytechnic is currently running 31 accredited programmes on full-time and part-time bases, adding that more accreditations of courses at HND levels are underway.
Meanwhile, the Isara Divisional Police Officer, Kuye Olayinka, has informed the students of their safety within the community.
The DPO stated that no policeman will harass them if they remain peaceful and law-abiding.
Olayinka, however, warned the students from going out at night, saying anybody caught roaming at night would be arrested.
