The Aseyin of Iseyin in the Iseyin Local Government Area of Oyo State, Oba Sefiu Adeyeri, has called on estate agents to stop exploiting students of higher institutions in the community under the guise of collecting a percentage on their house rent.
He made the call at a stakeholders’ meeting on the need to find a lasting solution to complaints of students of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Iseyin campus.
The event was held at the Aseyin’s Palace in Iseyin, on Wednesday.
The PUNCH reports that Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, in 2023, relocated the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences in LAUTECH, Ogbomoso, to Iseyin in the Oke Ogun geopolitical zone.
At the time, second-year students of the institution were ordered to move to Iseyin for the second semester of their academic session.
Following reports of extortion from the agents due to the rising population of students seeking accommodation, the monarch urged them to channel their complaints through a special committee put in place for the purpose.
A statement by the Publicity Director of Ebedi Frontliners, Iseyin, Segun Fasasi, made available to newsmen in Ibadan, on Thursday, said the monarch ordered that any agent caught flouting the warning would be made to face the law.
“I called this meeting after members of EFI came to me and asked that I should urgently intervene in the accommodation crisis being faced by the students of LAUTECH.
“I told the group about the efforts earlier made that have made peace prevail, but it is important to hold this one to have updates and find a lasting solution.
“We heard from the students of cases whereby three or more agents would give out a particular accommodation and all of them would charge 10 per cent ‘agent fees’ differently.
“The development makes the rent go higher and above the financial power of the students. This has to stop,” the monarch said.
He added “As I have earlier said, no agent must be caught extorting the students anymore. If anyone is caught doing that, the law will be allowed to take effect on such a person.”
Adeyeri appreciated Makinde for giving Iseyin its due recognition in infrastructural facilities.
He also commended the LAUTECH governing council, especially the representative of Iseyin in the council, Titilayomi Ahmadu, for her promptness in calling attention to issues about the institution.
One of the representatives of LAUTECH students at the meeting, Yusuf Abdulrasak, appreciated the timely intervention of the Aseyin, EFI and other stakeholders on the matter.
He added that other areas of interest like security and transportation, had also been taken care of by the stakeholders.
Present at the meeting were the Deputy Provost of LAUTECH College of Agricultural Science and Renewable Natural Resources, Prof Lamidi Ojedapo, the College’s Secretary, Folayowon Adesola, the Chairman of LAUTECH Local Committee, Waheed Olaniyan, the Chairman of EFI, Segun Adeleke, among others.