Students’ Union Reaffirms Stance Against ₦200 Shuttle Tickets Bearing Wale Omole’s Image

The Great Ife Students’ Union has reaffirmed its stance on the newly introduced shuttle transport ticket bearing the image of Wale Omole, a former Vice-Chancellor of the university, describing the ticket as unacceptable to the student body.

The Union made its position known in a statement issued on 3 October, following its earlier press conference on the campus transportation system. The Union Rejects Shuttle Ticket Bearing Image of Former Vice-Chancellor, Wale Omole.

The Union associates Wale Omole’s tenure as Vice-Chancellor with the murder of George Iwilade, popularly known as ‘Afrika.’ The Union argued that placing Omole’s image on a ticket that students are required to purchase and carry constitutes an insult to the memory of Iwilade, the Students’ Union and the  student body.

The Union also rejected an explanation reportedly given by the management of Guestimate, the transport operator, that the image was intended to remind students of the university’s heritage and  that production already cost millions. It stated that the cost of producing the tickets was not a concern and announced that it would neither honour nor accept tickets bearing Omole’s image.

The Union subsequently demanded that Guestimate immediately withdraw and destroy all tickets bearing Omole’s image and halt their circulation and sale. It further called for the image on the tickets to be replaced with that of George Iwilade, if the intention of the ticket was to honour the university’s heritage.

READ ALSO: ₦200 Ticket: Guesstimate Gives Full Explanation on Wale Omole’s Inclusion, Responds to Student Concerns

The Union further noted that failure by Guestimate to comply with its demands would result in what it described as ‘firm and decisive action,’ adding that it would respond appropriately after exhausting other means.

The Students’ Union also advised students to use alternative transportation options where available rather than tickets bearing Omole’s image. Students who already possess the disputed tickets were encouraged to retain them as evidence and report the matter to the Union. Student leaders were also urged to sensitise their respective constituencies about the development.

The Union assured students that it would continue to provide updates on the matter and promised its commitment to defending the dignity, rights and welfare of Great Ife students.