Faculty of Law Slams Disciplinary Actions On Students For Failing To Attend University 'Suicide Programme'

The Faculty of Law, Olabisi Onabanjo University has condemned low turnout of its students at the recently organised "Say No To Suicide" programme organized by the University Management.

The Faculty directed students who were absent at the programme to write to the faculty stating reasons for their absence or they face disciplinary action.

The internal memo released by the Faculty and signed by the Faculty officer reads;

"The university management noted with dismay the poor turnout of students of the faculty at the above mentioned programme held yesterday.

"It was observed that despite the wide publicity of the programme by the university management and the cancellation of lectures coupled with motivations from faculty to facilitate massive attendance. Law students were not fully represented.

"The faculty management has reviewed the development and strongly condemned this attitude of those who absented themselves from the programme in contempt of the university authority and its programmes, for which they deserve appropriate sanctions.

"Consequent on the above, every student who was absent at the programme should explain in writing and submit at the faculty office within 48 hours from the date of this memorandum the reason(s) why disciplinary action should not be taken against him/her in line with the university regulations for failing, refusing or neglecting to attend the programme

"Failure to write the letter or give valid reasons within 48 hours will result in automatic referral of affected students to the students disciplinary committee for proper disciplinary actions."

In lieu of this, the Faculty President, Festus Ogun concurred that "as a student of any institution, you have to be responsible, you have to respect orders given by constituted authority".

"They were arrogant,full of themselves and had the notion that nothing could happen to them" he said while pinpointing that the students were supposed to turn out in large number to the occasion. It was on that ground that the Dean had to act", he explained.

The president emphasised that "It's an act of misconduct to disobey directives given by the University authority and management".

"We the student body, we will not have hand in distorting justice. We have always encouraged our students to obey rules" .

"The trouble now is, If you feel you are too big to write the letter, it could land you into monumental disaster and at that point I might not be able to beg for anybody" he stated.