During the Students’ Union congress held on Friday, January 17, the Union President, Damilola Omoboriowo ‘Dr. Bush’, made it aware that OAU Management promised to provide students with Identification cards before the commencement of the 2023/2024 Harmattan semester examination.
The notice came in tandem with students’ confrontation at the congress on the school’s stance on the provision of identification cards. According to Damilola, the management ‘specifically’ told him they would provide students with their identity cards before the semester examination.
According to the Students’ Union President at the congress, the management had earlier test-run the effectiveness of the smart cards, initially aimed to be introduced into the university system, at the hall of residence level but technically failed to meet expectations, amounting to its presumed ineffectiveness at the university maximal level if eventually introduced.
The SU President further stated since earlier proposed smart cards have failed to meet technical expectations at the test-run level, he informed the management to provide students with the previously existing ID card which they assured to provide before the examination period.
However, the Harmattan semester examination has been stipulated to commence on Monday, February 10, but the management’s promise to provide students with ID cards is yet to be fulfilled at the hour of filing this report.
Over the years, the status quo has always been students being carriers of expired ID cards, one-timely issued during their early year of admission as the University has consistently failed in renewing their identity cards.
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ACJOAU had reported how the failure of the institution to provide ID cards has remained a thorn in the OAU students’ flesh. As the students prepare for their semester examination, this reporter has equally confirmed information recently disseminated to some set of students emphatically stating the inability to provide a valid means of identification will deter them from sitting for their paper.
Matriculated fresh students are yet to be issued ID cards.
ACJOAU investigation revealed the recently matriculated fresh students of the University are still yet to be issued their Identity cards as the examination is set to begin on Monday.
When this reporter conversed with some sets of fresh students, it was gathered that the semester’s continuous assessments were written with course registration forms devised as means of identification while some others were issued letters of identification stamped by their Head of Department.
“We were asked to submit our course form but was later returned. So, they just gave us one piece of paper as our identification and our passport is attached.” Seyi Adeniji told this reporter.
ACJOAU confirming whether further development has been made by the University in preparation for their examination, Wahab Fathiu said nothing of such, as they were only directed to provide their course registration form as a means of identification.
“Since we have not been given identification cards, we were told to use our course form stamped by the HOD as a means of Identification” Wahab disclosed.
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Students at liberty; ride on free access to the examination hall
The failure of the University to provide students with timely renewed ID cards over the years has compelled some departments from verifying students’ identity before sitting for examination as confirmed by ACJOAU.
According to students when this reporter contacted them, it was disclosed that there has not been adherence to verifying their identity as students ride on free access to the examination hall without any form of identification query from invigilators.
However, further findings by ACJOAU revealed students in their penultimate and final years are majorly the set of students caught in this seemingly pandemic.
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You will receive an official email from IDENTICO- OAU DSA.
Meanwhile, on Thursday, there was a widespread circular on students’ Whatsapp community claimed to have emanated from the University’s Division of Student Affairs, informing students to stay prepared to receive an email from IDENTICO- a company producing ID cards, as certain information will be demanded for processing their ID cards.
According to the circular, it stated the development will take effect in the next few days from the date of the release. Further investigation by ACJOAU to ascertain the level of development, however, confirmed none of the students is yet to receive any sort of email from the said IDENTICO company as at the hour of filing this report.