They all clutched brown envelops and transparent file folders, an indication that they are new students. Motorists had hectic time trying to access Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, as freshers moved in and out of the campus for registration.
Some parents and guardians were seen helping their wards to move personal effects into the dormitories. Students, who did not have the luxury, created traffic logjam at the university entrance while trying to move their properties into the hostels.
Following a circular released by management of the institution’s Computer Centre on the beginning of sales of scratch cards to pay the school fees, students thronged the office to purchase the cards.
For ease of movement, the university commissioned some buses to convey the freshers into the school for registration.
It is the business period for cyber cafés on the campus. The operators are making profit as students besieged the centres for online registration. Also, computer business centres and photocopy merchants are not left out in the profit harvest.
An attendant in one of the cafés, Eldorado, who simply identified himself as Kunle, said: “It is so normal to have this high turnout. It is what we have been used to over the years. In our own capacity, we welcome them into the system by assisting them with registrations.”
As they moved into their hostels, hall potters were available to receive them. The students were welcomed as the officials signed and stamped their hall placement slips.
In Awolowo hall, it was gathered that the returning students welcomed the freshers into the hall with Aro (mockery) songs.
A fresher, Gabriel Ayodeji, told SchoolGist.com.ng: “After three years of seeking admission into OAU, I am happy that I am finally offered Social Studies to study for my Bachelor’s degree.” He hoped to graduate with excellence.
