Just like previous years, this year's July 10 commemoration didn't go uncelebrated as one might have imagined because of the recent decline in political consciousness and the strong hostility of the university management to events of political and radical tendency.
Despite all harsh realities and limiting conditions, the action committee of the students' union forged ahead in the commemoration. The commemoration spanned three days in accordance with the order of events outlined by the action committee.
The first day kick-started with signing of condolence register which was on the 8th of July. The signing of condolence register started at around 12pm in Anglomoz carpark where the portrait and condolence register was fixed for signing of condolence message.
The signing of condolence register lasted till around 6pm in the evening and recorded an impressive turnout of over 100 signees.
On day the second day which was the 9th or July, there was an anti-cultism parade which commemced at about 4pm with aluta gyration songs from students who had converged at Anglomoz carpark for the parade. The parade started with a short speech given by the protem chairman of the action committee, Gbenga Von, where he reiterated the unflinching stance of OAU community to cultism. It was followed with the university anthem and students marched in mass to Mozambique hall where awareness was made about the need to defend OAU against cultism infiltration.
Afterwards, students proceeded to Angola and other halls of residence in the order of their proximity to Anglomoz.
The anti-cultism parade which lasted several hours into late night was rounded up at new buka(a suspected den of the cultists).
The action committee boldy led a host of other students to the location and made several rounds of announcement in different locations of the bukateria while 'individual' bars were not spared. No stone was left untouched, as all bar operators cooperated with the process and gave room for the easy passage of information to their customers. The information was centered on the significance of July 10 to the obtainable security on campus, especially in an Area. Hence, the reason students would never hesitate to defend such legacy. However, the signing of condolence register continued on the second day in front of the Students' union building mainly for the sake of students who might not have been opportuned to sign the previous day because they don't reside on campus.
The signing of the condolence register for the second day recorded about two hundred signees while the anti-cultism parade had an average number of 20 students.
The third day which was the grand finale of the 3-day commemoration was eventful as it was characterised with a lot of thrilling moments. The grand finale commenced with a public symposium which held in Awo café, featuring past union leaders and student activists. Of notable mention are, Lanre Adeleke legacy (Ex President, 98/99), Akin Olawoyin 'Ak revo' (Ex President, 02-04), Adekunle Ajayi 'Wizeman' (Ex Chairman, Angola hall), Barr. Destiny Adodo (Ex speaker, 08/09), Mr sulaimon-a representative of Afrika's family among a host of other speakers.
The symposium started with a well-orated and enlightening speech delivered by wizeman where he charged the younger generation of students on the need to stand up to their generational tasks and liberate themselves.
The symposium reached it's climax when Lanre legacy was giving a detailed narrative of the July 10 massacre, a perfect decorum fell on the auditorium as the audience (students) listened attentively. In his words, he stated that he stated the character of the court trial of the suspected killers of Afrika and others (which remains the quickest murder trial) corroborates the confessions of the apprehended cultists who claimed they were sponsored by the then Vice-chancellor.
He however charged students to come alive to their generational responsibilities under a formidable united front to defend themselves against oppression and exploitation from the university management.
The symposium which lasted for over four hours had other speakers who spoke within the context of independent unionism as the only tool to defend students.
The symposium which ended late in the night was followed by a bonfire at Anglomoz where mass of students joined the in the significant moment by dancing stylishly round the fire while some were dishing out melodious songs of aluta to complement the event. The bonfire lasted for about 2 hours and was later rounded up with the candlelight procession.
The candlelight procession which started in Anglomoz witnessed an unprecendented turnout than the previous programmes that have been held during the three-day programme.
It was an historic moment as over 100 students assembled behind Afrika's portrait with burning candles in their hands as they marched towards the students' union building while interchanging aluta and mourning songs in thunderous voices. Apparently, a first time visitor doesn't need to be told before understanding the essence of the march.
The march halted at S.U.B where the duo of lanre legacy and Destiny Adodo gave inspirational but challenging speeches about their experiences on campus and but need for the present generations to emulate such bold approaches to overwhelming situations especially the ones being faced by students presently.
On a final note, the whole programme was brought to an end with the revolutionary chants of great ife anthem and it then appeared that the day was far spent. It was indeed a worthwhile memory, just like the theme of the symposium: The untold story. The story was eventually told to the old and the young.
Albeit, hopes and expectations are more for the next year's commemoration which would signify the 20th year commemoration of the July 10 massacre.
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