The Great Ife Students’ Union of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Osun State, has issued a strong warning to students and the university community against cultism and related activities on campus.
In a statement sent to The PUNCH on Sunday, the union leaders expressed their growing concern over “certain cult-like movements and activities” observed on campus.
The statement, jointly signed by the union’s President Omoboriowo Isaac, Secretary-General Babatimehin Kínfẹ́ọsi, and Public Relations Officer Aka Daniel, reiterated the union’s zero-tolerance policy towards cultism.
“The Great Ife Students’ Union maintains a zero-tolerance policy for cultism and cult-like activities on Obafemi Awolowo University campus. The union holds in high regard the sacrifices of George Iwilade (Afrika) and the OAU 5, and we remain committed to ensuring their legacy is not dishonored.
“OAU is renowned as a cultism-free campus, and we are resolute in sustaining this legacy,” the statement read.
The student leaders urged their peers to avoid any involvement in cultism and to stay vigilant against those promoting such behaviors. “Any individual, whether a student or non-student, found engaging in cultism or related activities will face the full force of the law,” they warned.
Obafemi Awolowo University has a long-standing history of opposing cultism, dating back to the tragic events of July 10, 1999. On that day, a brutal cult attack claimed the lives of five students, including George Iwilade (Afrika), who served as the Secretary-General of the students’ union.
In honor of the victims, the union commemorates July 10 annually, reaffirming its commitment to keeping the campus free of cultism and upholding the ideals for which the fallen students stood.
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