One of the signposts leading to the college.

You’ll find different signposts near the two main gates leading to the Federal College of Education (Special), Oyo, Oyo State. But the one that piqued my interest on Monday, August 19, was the above with the inscription, “No grazing/animal tending in this college”.

The signpost did not immediately catch my attention, but the fresh and dry cow dung as well as a herd of cattle grazing on the college premises were the last thing I expected to see.

Another ‘no grazing’ signpost. Credit: Abimbola Abatta//EQ

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VISUALLY IMPAIRED STUDENTS MORE AT RISK

How could a college that prohibits grazing and animal tending shelter not one but a herd of cows?

While the irony of the situation was not lost on me, the inherent danger only became glaring when I learnt that visually impaired (VI) students were at greater risk of being caught in the middle of the cows — and even getting injured!

It’s not all the time that these students move around with the help of human guides within the college.

When I got to the college that Monday morning, I saw one of them walking alone, albeit with the aid of his walking stick.

VI student with a walking stick whose picture was randomly taken. Photo Credit: Abimbola Abatta

A collage of the pictures of the VI student. Photo Credit: Abimbola Abatta

When I took random pictures of him as I watched from afar that morning, it was purely out of fascination. I never imagined that I would later find myself wondering what might happen if he accidentally found himself amid the cows.

A visually impaired student (he asked not to be named) of the college told EQ that he was now scared of cows due to past, multiple encounters with them.

The student also recounted how he and some of his colleagues once found themselves surrounded by grazing cows, with no one nearby to quickly lead the animals away.

EQ also learnt that the school management was very much aware of the fears of these students, who have complained on several occasions, and that they have done nothing to help.

“Cow dung is everywhere on the floor. I have stepped on it so many times in different places within the college,” this visually impaired student said.

Cow dung inside the college. Credit: Abimbola Abatta

More cow dung. Credit: Abimbola Abatta//EQ

“We have complained so many times, but nothing has been done. I have encountered a lot, but the only thing is that it did not harm me.

“I have found myself among the cows so many times. Very many. It’s surprising that they allow them to graze within the school,” he added.

While I conversed with some of the students, they said that the college might actually own the cows, which could explain the lack of enforcement of the no-grazing rule on campus.

Damilare Qoozim, one of the student leaders who has a hearing disability, told EQ that visually impaired students were mostly the victims of the cows.

He also revealed that one of the sign language interpreters working for the college had a ghastly accident in April because of the cows.

“The accident almost made them [the hospital] amputate his right leg because it looked like he couldn’t walk again but, to God be the glory, he is getting better,” Qoozim told EQ.

While walking around the college just a few minutes before 5:00 pm that day, I noticed a herd of cows grazing near a lecture hall, with the voices of students audible from inside.

The herd of grazing cows. Cred: Abimbola Abatta.

The herd of grazing cows. Video Credit: Abimbola Abatta.

The herd of grazing cows. Video Credit: Abimbola Abatta.

As I saw the cows, I recalled the visually impaired student I had seen walking alone that morning and could not help but imagine how he might have felt if he had been close to where the cows were grazing.

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When EQ contacted the school on Friday via the WhatsApp number obtained on its website, the recipient redirected EQ to the public relations officer (PRO) of the college.

However, in response to another WhatsApp message sent also on Friday, V. A. Ajayi, the PRO, wrote, “You can visit the college to meet the Provost/farm manager for clarification. Thanks.”

This story was produced with support from the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ) under the Collaborative Media Engagement for Development Inclusivity and Accountability project (CMEDIA) funded by the MacArthur Foundation
The post Inside Oyo Federal College of Education Where Cows Learn With Students — Despite Signposts Against Grazing appeared first on Foundation For Investigative Journalism.