The progressive
students of the Olabisi Onabanjo University, OOU, which was shut down last
month have warned Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun, that he might lose the
2015 governorship election in the state if he doesn’t listen to them and
rescind his decision on their increased school fees.
The student
president in a press conference held yesterday in Lagos, said the increased in
school fees will make thousands of students drop out, as most of them will be
unable to pay the new fess. How logical is this, he asked.
He also
demanded for the re-opening of the institution amongst others. His words;
“We are ever
resolute to pursue this cause no matter what it takes, because the issue is
very simple.
“If you are
talking about reduction and you run to the media without having a conclusive or
mutual agreement and the most annoying thing is you are saying the
implementation will take effect next session, our own argument is logical and
simple.
“Over 2000
students cannot pay and have applied for leave of absence for the 2012/2013
session, and many couldn’t return. If you now announce a reduction and you say
it will take effect next session, what of this academic session of 2013/2014?
“Do they go
out of school because they can’t pay and return next session? Is it logical?
It’s not logical. Implementation and further reduction of the fees is
non-negotiable”.
“Let me also
address the rumour that we are being motivated by politicians.
“We all
remember the Ali-must-go protest in the 70s, we heard the students accused of
being sponsored by the opposition.
“During the
LASU struggle, they said the 5th columnist and some politicians motivated it,
but at the end of the day, the success of the struggle showed that it was a
student motivated struggle.
“It is
always like that in this part of the world, when we have a highly irresponsible
government who always look for excuse to justify their irresponsibility and
that’s why they are saying the struggle of Olabisi Onabanjo University is a
politically motivated one. It is not and it will never be,” Mr. Ifade stated.
“They said
it’s only 1 out of 9 tertiary institutions that is complaining.
“But it is
only that one that is in 2013/2014 academic session; it is only one that pays
the highest tuition fees in the entire Nigeria; it is only that one that is
still standing and it will continue to stand.”
Education is
a right of the students and not a privilege, he said. He also urged the public
and media to support the students and disregard government’s propaganda against
the students.
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