Security Operatives walk out  Zenith Bank representatives from Classroom

Safiu Kehinde

Security Operatives attached to the School of Management and Business Studies (SMBS) allegedly walked out some representatives of Zenith bank from classroom earlier today.

The incident which happened at the HND1 class of the Department of Business Administration, saw the representatives blowing hot at one of the security operatives who was also visibly hostile to them.

During the face-off, one of the embarrassed representatives was heard mentioning “freedom of expression” as she walked past the security operatives.

Speaking to our correspondent,  the bank representative who pleaded anonymity, expressed her displeasure over the security men’s manner of approach.

“We’ve been to other schools and never have we experienced something like this. Their manner of approach here makes it look like we are in an advanced secondary school.” She said.

Reacting to the incident, the HND1 Head of Class (HOC), decried the presence of the banks representatives in class as such is not allowed.

“They did not allow this kind of advertisement or marketing in class. This is my first time of me seeing such because it is rare to see marketers coming to classes. The last time someone did it, he took permission from the lecturer.” He said.

Similarly,  the Students Union Government’s (SUG) Sport Director, Mr. Sheu Togunde condemned the presence of the bank representatives in the classroom while mentioning that they have once called the security operatives to drive out marketers from the department.

“It has happened that we ourselves were the one that brought security to drive them away. When you come on campus to perform any activities, the school has to be aware. We told them that we do not say they shouldn’t relate with our students. You can relate with them. But before you do that, you need approval from  the DSA.” Mr. Sheu said.

Giving reason why they do not encourage bank representatives on campus, the SUG Sport Director decried how the account opened through the representatives get restricted to a specific amount which were not often mentioned to the students during the registration process.

“Why we do not encourage them engaging our students is that they will come on campus with Zero account or tell you that you do not need your NIN before registering. But on registering the account, they won’t tell us that it is a student account which is restricted to a specific amount. They won’t detail us well. All they want is to have customers.” He added.

Also confirming the incident was the Departmental President of Business Administration, Mr. Adeleye Olawale. He disclosed that security operatives approached him to explain the situation following their face-off with the bank representatives.

“The Security came to me as the President of the Department to report the situation. The security men had sought the approval given to the representatives. Before they can come to the department, they must have gotten approval from the DSA. They (security operatives) said they saw some of their people somewhere else  and they equally challenged them. The representatives said they were already given approval, but is yet to be presented to the security post.” Mr. Adeleye said.

On an allegation that the security men do challenge students who market their wares in class, the President denied such.

“I’ve not seen them challenge a student for marketing in class. Probably, there might be. But from my own experience, I’ve not seen any.” He added.