From Ayodele Samuel and Akilani Abdullah, Lagos
ational Association of Nigerian Students, NANS Southwest yesterday alleged that students who participated in the protest over the increase in school fees of the Lagos State University, LASU are being victimised by the institution’s management.
The student union, who disclosed this while presenting certificate of commendation to Governor Babatunde Fashola, said the students were being victimised through the policies and decisions of management of the school.
NANS chairman, Lagos State, Yakubu Eletu, lamented that “some of the students have been asked to face the senate while some are being denied the opportunity to go for their National Youth Service Corps, NYSC because they protested over the increase in school fees.”
In order to deny students the opportunity to serve their fatherland, Eletu said that the school management withheld their call up letters sent from NYSC headquarters, Abuja.
He said “We want the governor to prevail on the Vice Chancellor, Professor John Obafunwa to sheath his sword and allow the students go for NYSC, and others not to face any panel because they protested against increase in school fees”.
Eletu argued that since the fee has been reduced by the governor, there is no need for the school management to victimize anyone.
They however appealed to Fashola to prevail on his Ogun state counterpart, Senator Ibikunle Amosun to re-open the Olabisi Onabanjo University, OOU, Ago-Iwoye, and to revert the tuition of the institution.
The student’s union noted that the move had led to a face-off between the students and the Ogun state government.
Responding, Fashola urged the leadership of student unions across the country to brace up for future leadership roles in the country, saying they should “use student unionism as a platform and opportunity to prepare themselves for future leadership that earnestly awaits them.”
Fashola said, “We didn’t just wake up one day and decided to increase tuition of the school, it was you, the students, who protested at the State House of Assembly, complaining over condition of the school. And based on your complaints, we acted accordingly.
“Part of the recommendation by the visitation panel was that the tuition of the school should be increased for the progress of the school,” he added.
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