The National Association of Nigerians Students(NANS), has told the authority of the Federal Polytechnic, Ado Ekiti that no amount of tyrannical and divisive actions being contrived would distract it from proceeding on protest and total shut down of the institution, if failed to reverse the hike in tuition fees payable by students.
NANS warned that the Students’ body will engage in a relentless war against the institution’s Rector, Dr. Temitope John Alake to revert to the old school fees at the expiration of the five- day ultimatum earlier issued by the body, saying students won’t tolerate acts capable of subverting and abridging their rights to good welfare under no guise.
The warning contained in a statement issued by NANS’/Joint Campus Committee, Ekiti axis, on Friday and made available to journalists in Ado Ekiti, was co-signed by its Chairman, Com. Yekeen Toheeb, General Secretary, Com. Olumorin Folafoluwa, and Public Relations Officer, Com Ekundayo Goodluck .
Displaying serious aversion for the way the management was handling the matter, NANS/JCC strongly rapped the insensitive, provocative, and undemocratic approach adopted by the aurhority, especially the way students were sidelined at the consultation stage.
“Following NANS’ intervention, escalation of the matter, and issuance of a five-day ultimatum demanding a total reversal of the increment, the management suddenly found it convenient to convene a meeting with the newly elected SUG executives yesterday to discuss the same fee increase it had already implemented without adequate consultation”.
NANS/ JCC relished and commended the proactive dispositions and readiness of the incoming SUG executives to engage on this matter in the best interests of the students, warning that this shouldn’t be misconstrued to be a sign of weakness .
“The SUG’s willingness to engage must not be misconstrued as an endorsement of management’s previous actions or an excuse to overlook its failure to consult legitimate student representatives before implementing the increment. We expect the incoming executives to remain steadfast in defending the collective interests of the students.
“We consider this development deeply troubling. Why was the outgoing leadership, which was duly mandated to represent the students when the policy was conceived and implemented, denied the same opportunity?
“Why has management suddenly embraced student engagement who are yet to be inaugurated only after NANS escalated the matter and issued an ultimatum? Student representation must never become an instrument for legitimising decisions of the oppressors taken against students’ interests”.
“Let it be clearly understood that NANS will not allow selective engagement, administrative manoeuvres, or any attempt to divide the student community to undermine our collective struggle. The welfare of Nigerian students is non-negotiable, and our responsibility is to defend their interests without compromise”.
The Students’ leaders insisted that the only action that can halt the planned protest is satisfactory resolution, not another round of discussions that won’t yield tangible outcomes.
“Consequently, the ultimatum remains in full force. Should management fail to meet our demands upon its expiration, NANS/ JCC, Ekiti State chapter will have no.option than to mobilise Nigerian students for a total shutdown in f the institution through lawful and peaceful means. Our preference for dialogue must not be mistaken for weakness, surrender, or an absence of resolve.
“We have provided an opportunity for responsible engagement, and that opportunity must not be abused. We will not stand by while students bear the burden of an unjustified policy and their collective voices are disregarded. Our commitment to protecting the interests of Nigerian students remains unwavering”.
NANS maintained that the management can only avert the impending mass protest if it concedes to the trouble- shooting measures specified by the students, which is: reversal to the old tuition fees, pointing out that any defiance to this order shall be resisted by the Students’ population.