The owner of the College of Education, Ero, Ondo State, Mr. Oyeleye Fasua, issued an appeal on Thursday to students protesting at the institution, urging them to remain calm.

He assured them that the issue of mobilizing them for the National Youths Service Corps (NYSC) would be addressed.

The students initiated a protest on Monday, expressing dissatisfaction with the institution’s failure to facilitate their enrollment in the NYSC after completing their degree programs, which were five-year programs affiliated with Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko.

ALSO READ: Peter Obi expresses condolences over students struck by lightning

During the demonstration, enraged students blocked the Akure-Ilesa Expressway and detained Fasua, demanding a refund of their tuition fees if they were not eligible for the NYSC scheme.

Property belonging to the school was also vandalized during the protest.

Fasua, speaking with a correspondent in Akure, clarified that the institution had acted based on assurances from the management of AAUA that the students would be mobilized for the NYSC after completing their programs.

While acknowledging that the Memorandum of Understanding with AAUA did not explicitly state NYSC mobilization, he insisted that such assurances had been made by the university’s management.

He stated, “On September 15, 2017, the College of Education, Ero, entered into an affiliation agreement with AAUA to run a degree program.

Throughout this partnership, we have been assured by the university that our students would be eligible for the NYSC upon completion of their studies.”

Expressing regret over the discrepancy between the list released by AAUA for NYSC placement and the earlier assurances, Fasua condemned the students’ resort to violence and property damage.

He emphasized the need for peaceful dialogue and urged students to avoid taking the law into their own hands.

Fasua reassured the public that he had contacted AAUA’s Directorate, Professor Hassan, and that efforts were underway to find an amicable solution to the situation.

ALSO READ: Enugu initiates probe into alleged college fraud and mismanagement

He urged students to exercise restraint, allowing peaceful dialogue and appropriate channels to address the matter.

“I trust that Adekunle Ajasin University will take swift action to investigate and rectify this discrepancy, ensuring that the promised opportunities for NYSC placement are extended to our deserving students,” he affirmed.