The authorities of the Afe Babalola University has carried out an outrageous hike in the fees of its Clinical students (400 level medical students) from the already whopping sum of N1.7 million to a stupefying sum of N2.6 million. Nothing on earth, except plain profit-making, can justify this exploitative hike.
By this fee hike, what the ABUAD authorities appear to be saying is that the University is open to only the children of treasury looters, corrupt politicians and oil bunkerers! The Education Rights Campaign (ERC) hereby calls for the immediate reversal of the hiked fee. Even the old rate of N1.7 million is extortionate and exorbitant. We insist that education must not and should not be a “debt” sentence.
We urge Nigerian people to publicly condemn this fee hike and prevail on the authorities of the institution to rescind its decision. Without the immediate reversal of the fees, many medical students already in their 400 level risk being thrown out of the University. This matter is therefore a matter of urgent national importance.
Contrary to the opinion of some that private institutions are meant to be funded from fees paid by students and therefore no one has the right to protest any astronomical tuition, the ERC believes that in so far as private Universities are service providers, the public including students and their parents have a right to protest any of their policies considered inimical to their future. Not only does the public has the right to determine the amount of tuition private schools can charge, the public also has the right to determine the quality of their services etc. This is because whether private or public, education is an inalienable universal human right.
This is more so because the idea that only the rich send their children to private Universities is no more true. As a result of the complete decay of public education at primary, secondary and tertiary levels, many working class and middle class parents are increasingly compelled to enroll their wards in private schools which they can only afford by taking loans etc. This is because everyone wants the best education for their children which is no more possible to obtain at an affordable rate as a result of the destruction of the public education system. In addition to this is the inability of existing public tertiary institutions to admit all eligible applicants. Therefore whether they have the means or not, many parents are compelled to enroll their wards in private institutions. Increasing fees at such outrageous rate as ABUAD has done is therefore an unacceptable pressure on parents and if unchallenged, this fee hike can force many of the Clinical students to drop out of school.
Out of the N2.6 million, the tuition portion is just N950, 000. However what makes up the rest is simply stupefying. For instance, Clinical students are being asked to pay N350, 000 for clinical posting and another N200, 000 for community medicine posting. For examination and assessment, the students are to pay N125, 000. What manner of examinations cost this much? Despite N950, 000 already allotted for tuition, students are to pay another N150, 000 for practical/laboratory. So what exactly constitute tuition in the first place? Accommodation is N350, 000. Library fees which used to be N10, 000 was jerked up to N20, 000 while ICT was pegged at N30, 000. Course registration, a simple administrative exercise, attracts a cost of N10, 000! Also students are to pay N50, 000 as deposit against damages.
This outrageous hike however confirms our consistent opposition to the privatization of public education on the basis of IMF and World Bank dictate. We have often maintained the position that the privatization of education would not solve the problem of access but only deny an increasing percentage of the population access to knowledge. According to the Punch newspaper of Tuesday February 24 2015, statistics from the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board shows that only two per cent (or 18, 667) of the 1.6 million candidates applied to study in the nation’s private universities in the 2014 academic session. There are 50 private universities in the country. This shows that over 98 per cent of candidates preferred the 79 federal and state-owned universities to the private ones.
The fee hike in ABUAD is a confirmation that all private institutions offer is mega exploitation of the frustration being felt by Nigerians over the decay of public education infrastructure. In the case of ABUAD, many of the students who have been finding it difficult to afford the old fee of N1.7 million are now confronted with the reality of dropping out of school entirely given the new fee of N2.6 million. The ERC insists that the only socially-beneficial way to make education affordable and accessible to all is for the government to invest massively in public education by utilizing the enormous wealth of the country.
Whether public of private education, the ERC stand opposed to exploitation. We join ABUAD students to condemn the fee hike. Unfortunately from the inception of the university, the ABUAD administration has illegally prevented student unionism in direct violation of the constitutional rights of students. We condemn this and demand that the authorities of ABUAD allow students to establish an independent and democratic students union through which they can protect their rights and interests at all times. However what this means is that at this critical time, ABUAD students have no union through which they can mount a stout resistance to the fee hike. Regardless of this however, we urge the students to take their destinies into their hands by organizing and mobilizing in peaceful protests and demonstrations until their demands are met. If they are prepared to do this, we are confident that workers, parents and ordinary Nigerians will stand by them.
Hassan Taiwo Soweto Michael Ogundele
National Coordinator National Secretary
07033697259
Thursday, February 26, 2015
Tuesday, February 24, 2015
ASUP STRIKE UPDATE
In our quest to defend OurCampusGate from Lock and key, the leadership of NAPS has commence consultation moves to avert this ugly scenario call Strike, the federal Government has re affirm her commitment to do all it takes to convince our dear lecturers and ensure all issue is address before the strike commence proper on Wednesday 25th Feb.2015, a source from FG confirmed that our lecturer Shall be engage in a negotiation meeting by the Federal Government office of The Hon Minister of Education Mallam Ibrahim Shekarou on that same Wednesday 25th Feb 2015 in the federal Ministry of education Abuja, we hereby appeal to our teaming students to remain calm and prayerful for the success of this dialogue and negotiation meeting come in our favour we implore both parties (FG/ASUP) to be sincerely and objective in their dealing with our future and carrier as many of our polytechnic Are yet to recover the damaged academic calenders, while many are starting examination this month ending and first weeks of March as the case may be. We are optimistic that the FG will do all needful to ensure our campus gate is defended from closing. While we Express confidence on our dear lecturers to be fair and considerate in their action at this critical moment in the nation, The leadership of NAPS pledge not to relent in ensuring adequate representation of the sector and the student interest. Effort is also ongoing to draw the attention of FG to correct and include HND certificate to the ongoing Emigration recruitment. We suspend our earlier plan to lay ambush around the Federal ministry of education on Wednesday with placards, chain and padlock should in case the meeting want to ends deadlock as usual due to assurance from top Govt offcr Operation Defend ur Gate achievable. Aluta continual Victoria ascerta....
Monday, February 23, 2015
TEST OF LEADERSHIP by Comrade Olugbode Damola
The future of every country lies on the shoulder of the youths, they are the hope of all nations. Handling the leadership Barton over to them is sacrosanct thus there is need for a test of leadership.
This awakening call was catalyst by the pace at which our testing leaders are derailing from their heroes core ideology to suit the corrupt style of the nation, serving as a dog set after the opposition of a pay master and turning deaf ears to the basic ideology that lead to the formation of the platform that warrant them to be a leader.
Testing leaders could be trace back to class captains, trusted with representative functions and mostly to maintain decorum in class. Leaders on campus and across campuses are major and clearer picture of leadership put to test.
Fortune teller is not needed to tell how the future will look like, as we have it reflecting all around, the likes of Adams Oshomole, Jude Imagwe, Labaran Maku amidst others serving as leaders of today is a justification of leadership put to test.
Being in slumber, i fear will soon become an understatement, looking at the future picture we are drawing, our testing leaders had allowed corruption to eat deep into their marrow, and despite their acknowledgment of it to be bad, they still enjoy the practice.
The choice is ours and the ball is in our court, we are to decide if the current growing seed should have its way out of nursery or end there, it's also ours to decide the legacy to be pass unto the next set of testing leaders, like wise the living and dying of our heroes memory is subjected to our decision.
Dear readers, what are your impact in building a better future? have you ever thought of commending or condemning a testing leader when necessary? did you ever deem it fit to contest a leadership post? what are your contributions to your constituency? It is never too late to contribute your quota, building a desired future is our collective responsibility.
Saturday, February 21, 2015
ASUP Embarks On Indefinite Strike Again
The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP)The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) have directed its members nationwide to embark on an indefinite strike from Wednesday, to demand the implementation of a four year old agreement with the Federal Government.The union, until July 2014, had embarked on a nine-month strike and had suspended it following apromise from the Minister of Education, IbrahimShekarau, who was newly appointed then, that he would resolve the matter within three months.The President of ASUP, Dr. Chibuzor Asomugha, speaking with newsmen at the end of an emergency meeting of its National Executive Council (NEC), also called for the dissolution of governing council of Federal Polytechnic Oko, in Anambra State and that of Ado Ekiti in EkitiState for causing avoidable problems in their institutions.Asomugha recalled that the union had issued a two week ultimatum starting February 11, 2015.He called for the withdrawal of a circular issued by the Ministry of Education suspending the implementation of CONTISS 15.Other grievances of the union include the continueddiscrimination against Polytechnic graduates in Public Service and in the labour market in Nigeria, the non release of the White Paper on the Visitation to Federal Polytechnics, the non implementation of CONTISS 15 Migration for the Lower cadres and its arrears as from 2009 when the salary structure was approved and the non establishment of a National Polytechnics Commission (NPC) and the wrongful continued recognition of the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) as the regulatory body for Polytechnics.Others are the non-constitution of Governing Councils for some Federal Polytechnics by the Federal Government, the snail-pace of the reviewof the Federal Polytechnics Act by the National Assembly and the gross under funding of the Polytechnic sub sector and continued lopsidedness in the disbursements of TETfund grants and other interventions clearly designed to thedisadvantage of the polytechnic sector.
Austerity: An Open Call for the Building of a Movement to Resist Imminent Attacks on Public Education
atement of the Education Rights Campaign (ERC) to Students Unions, NANS, NAPS, Left Organisations, Radical Groups and Activists in the Students' Movement
Nigeria has entered into a period of economic crisis arising out of the plunge in crude oil price. Crude oil sale accounts for about 95% of export earnings and 80% of government revenue.
Whoever wins the February 14, 2015 presidential elections, whether Goodluck Jonathan or Muhammadu Buhari, would be compelled by the global oil price crisis to implement austerity measures that will create immense hardship. This is because in spite of alleged differences between the two, both Buhari and Jonathan are apostles of the unjust capitalist system whose inherent contradictions is responsible for the current global oil price fall and the periodic and alternating cycle of boom and bursts which has destroyed economies and blighted living standards of the working class and youth not just in Africa but across the world.
The Finance Minister and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Okonjo Iweala has described the crisis as a "permanent shock" (The Nation Newspaper 21 Nov. 2014). A euphemism for a disaster we have no hope of getting out from any time soon. Right now oil price hovers below $50 per barrel - down from $115 in June 2014. Likewise, despite efforts by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to defend the currency, the Naira continues to depreciate rapidly. Some days ago, Naira exchanged at N208 to a dollar on the parallel market.
Now strident alarms are being sounded that what remains of foreign reserve can only cover a few months of import. This is a bad news for an import-dependent economy like Nigeria. Growth forecast for the year 2015 has now been reviewed by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to 5% down from 7%. The 2015 budget was dead on arrival at the National Assembly last December. While it proposes $65 as oil benchmark (which had to be reviewed twice), it would call for a national celebration if crude oil price increases to $60 in the next few months. But even as unworkable as it already is, the 2015 budget proposal already foreshadows the fundamental attacks on public education and social services to be expected. Already a substantial cut has been effected in the proposed capital expenditure of the 2015 budget from N1.3 trillion to N627 billion. These means that despite current large deficit in public infrastructure, investment to improve facilities in schools, hospitals, roads, housing, electricity and water provision etc will be substantially reduced this year.
Mass consciousness has currently failed to grasp the enormity of the crises. This is because of the on-going election campaigns which while raising the hope of "change" has helped to blind large sections of the working class and poor. This is more so because there is no anti-capitalist party or an alternative mass workers political party contesting in the elections. But this state of consciousness would be temporary especially because the assault on our very existence will begin immediately after the elections no matter who wins. Already fundamental attacks have being announced to take off after elections. One is the hike in electricity tariff billed for July 2015. More is to be expected.
Austerity measures and the accompanying resistance will most certainly create a condition for the class struggle to grow and the possibility of the labour movement calling for general strikes and nationwide rallies and mass protests once again. However what will permanently defeat the attacks and ensure that we are saved from constant economic crises that destroy working peoples livelihoods is the replacement of the irrational capitalist system with a democratic socialist system that can permit the use of Nigeria's enormous oil wealth for real development in society and a higher living standard for the mass majority.
Most certainly, with the economic crisis will come a flurry of harsh austerity measures to save the free market economy from collapse. Public education, healthcare, the minimum wage, the civil service and our already miserable living standards will be subjected to the most brutal cuts. Retrenchment in the public and private sector will come while the army of unemployed will swell. Unemployment currently stands at 24% and poverty at 71%. The quality and standards in public primary and secondary schools will further plummet. Already working class parents who have their children and wards in private schools have to pay thousands and in certain cases hundreds of thousands of naira for tuition and other charges. Starting from the mid-90s, many middle class and working class parent were compelled to accept private schools at least at primary and secondary levels as the only available alternative to the wholesale destruction of public schools by government policy of underfunding. This is in spite of the expensive fees charged. However imagine the horror when private schools now further increase fees in the condition of downward decline in the value of wages that the economic crisis will create! This could mean private schools may become theatres of struggle in the coming period. In addition, teachers and non-academic staff will have their working conditions attacked. Ultimately the gains recently won by staff unions in the education sector will be threatened. This may lead to another round of strikes and disruptions in the academic calendar.
Fees will be hiked in public tertiary institutions. Universities like the Lagos State University (LASU) where a major fee battle was won last year will be threatened by the possibility of a re-introduction of high fees. If this happens, the argument of the new government in Lagos will be the same: To build a 21st century university, you have to pay more! As things stand now, attempts are already being made to claw back the gains of the struggles. Few people outside of LASU remember today that in the wake of the defeat of the fee hike last year after a 6-month long struggle, the Lagos State government was compelled not only to reverse the fee completely but also to enter into an agreement to release a sum of N69 million to refund all students who had to pay the hiked fees in the 2013/2014 academic session. Till today and with just about four (4) months to the end of incumbent Governor Babatunde Fashola's tenure, this has not materialised! Also many of the students and members of staff who played leading roles in the struggle are now being victimised.
Students of the Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU) whose fee battle was truncated before it could achieve victory last year must be ready to defend even the current level of fees. This is because as State governments are finding it difficult to pay workers, the question of adequate allocation to schools would be the least on their agenda. And where allocations to schools fall short, the default response of school administration is to pass the responsibility to students by hiking fees.
Same goes for the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) Ile Ife. The blind alley of the policy of "diplomacy", as opposed to mass struggle being the basis upon which any negotiations take place, is being exposed in the current situation in OAU. If it was difficult for the University administration to reduce the fees last year, it would take real, bitter and bold mass struggle to force a reduction, not to talk of a reversal, now in the era of austerity. Even if as is expected, the Federal government orders reduction of the fees, this would be no more than a decision made by President Jonathan because of elections that would be reversed immediately the government feels comfortable.
A Yoruba adage says: "a calamity that befalls one's peer is a warning to oneself". Fees were recently hiked at the Federal University of Petroleum Resources (FUPRE) leading to spontaneous protest on Monday 26 January 2015. This is just the first salvo of what will be an all-out assault against public education once the elections are over. Unlike last year when only a few institutions had their fees hiked, the coming period will see a generalised increase in fees under all kinds of guises. This why the Education Rights Campaign (ERC) is also calling for a generalised resistance. We need a resistance that unites all students across campuses with education workers and the wider working class in a joint struggle against austerity policies.
The ERC is a campaign platform formed by the Democratic Socialist Movement (DSM) in 2004 against the background of the ideological collapse of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS). This ideological collapse of NANS still exists till today. But it has become worse. There is hardly any Students Union across campuses in Nigeria today whose leadership is not populated by rightwing elements who see struggle as unnecessary even in the face of the most provocative assault on students rights and conditions. When these unions struggle at all, it is because the leadership was forced to do so by mass pressure from students.
However the point that must be made is that the predominantly rightwing character of the leadership of the student movement has seriously complicated the condition of struggle. Now we have in the student movement a situation where the consciousness of the students falls very short of the demands and severity of their situation. It is like the horse of the student movement is behind its cart. When students protest at all, in most cases, it is in reaction to injustice committed years ago. At the Michael Otedola Collage of Primary Education (MOCPED) in Epe Lagos, degree students have only just started protesting against a four-year old scam in which students pay fees, attend classes and write exams only to complete their studies without statement of result or certificate. Results are rarely released at every end of the semester. You would have thought struggle would have developed on that kind of issue long before now. Only on a few campuses where left and radical organisations exist are struggles developing correspondingly to attacks. But even here, rightwing union leaders are still successfully holding back struggle.
However the successful struggle against LASU fees last year boldly shows that this situation in the student movement can be overcome if activists, left organisations, ideological and radical groups unite around a campaign to step up struggle. Before the Student Union leadership of LASU became willing to lead the struggle, it was the work done by the Education Rights Campaign (ERC) and the #SaveLASU Campaign Movement that first popularised the issue of LASU fee hike, pushed it to the front burner of public discourse and compelled the State government to begin to defend itself in the media. With the working class later joining the struggle for reversal of the fees through strikes led by ASUU and SSANU LASU as well as the May Day protest by the Joint Action Front (JAF), it was only a matter of time before the State government acquiesced.
In the present circumstance in the student movement, we need to begin to organise and prepare for the eventuality of austerity attacks on the education. It is inevitable that there is currently within the student movement and generally in society a feeling of "the attacks aren’t here yet". This may even become more pronounced in a situation where the opposition wins the February 14, 2015 general elections. However no one must be fooled. Whatever feeling of restraint will be temporary. For as soon as the new capitalist government stabilizes itself, it would launch into the job of saving the system by applying cuts to education and other social services. In 1984 under the impact of a similar crises caused by oil price decline, Buhari government cancelled the University cafeteria system which was a system of subsidized feeding. Its cancellation meant the removal of an important crucial support system that permitted vast sections of poor students to apply for and complete University education in the 70s.
The benefit of preparation allows us not to be caught unawares. For instance what the victorious LASU struggle teaches is that when a campaign already exists, it can immediately take advantage of a changed situation and become a mass pole of attraction for those who want to fight back. A sort of an Anti-Austerity campaign/coalition uniting left groups, student unions, rank and file activists across campuses can begin now the most important work of preparing the student movement by first and foremost organising activities to raise the political level of the movement to comprehend the enormity of the situation we are in. Secondly, this alliance or coalition can also begin the work of campaigning for the NANS and other official platforms of students to develop a fighting program to resist the inevitable attacks.
When the attack eventually comes, the rightwing leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) will come under severe test. This is because the severity of the imminent attacks on education will demand methods of resistance that goes far beyond the capacity of individual campuses. The question of a nationwide one-day lecture boycott and mass protests may come back to the front burner of the student movement once again. To resist austerity attacks on education in 1984, Nigerian students led by NANS embarked on nationwide boycott and demonstration. Building a campaign or coalition that links activists, left groups and unions across campuses is a good starting point to begin to demonstrate the scale of resistance required and build the forces that can play leading roles in organising a fightback.
The ERC is calling for the building of a united campaign against cuts and for an alternative to the capitalist policy of austerity.
We put forward the following points to be the basis of a campaign. We are prepared to work with all forces that genuinely want to stop the cuts but, at the same time, the ERC believes it is necessary to outline an alternative to this crisis ridden system.
While we do not insist that all participants in the campaign agree with all our ideas, apart from the fundamental point of opposition to all cuts, we believe that the movement needs to have an alternative which, in the ERC’s view would be based around the following:
(1) An alternative to austerity that demands reversal of all hiked fees and improvement in the budgetary allocation to education
(2) Massive public works program to rebuild and improve teaching and living conditions in the education sector from primary to tertiary levels.
(3) A genuine free education policy to ensure that the over 10.5 million out-of-school children are absorbed into schools and receive quality education.
(4) Democratisation of the management of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) to include elected representatives of teachers, students and parents in order for the public to be able to monitor and stop the entrenched corruption in this agency which has affected its effectiveness.
(5) Payment of a Cost of Studying Allowance (COSA) to all students of tertiary institutions to cover costs of textbooks, feeding, clothing and transport.
(6) Jobs for all graduates. For an adequate unemployment allowance to be paid to all graduates without a job.
(7) Implementation of all collective agreements with staff unions, improvement in the wages and conditions of all education workers.
(8) For respect of democratic rights on campuses. Restore all banned unions and reinstate all politically victimised students and staff union leaders/activists.
(9) A capital no to austerity. Of course the capitalist government will respond with the mantra "it is good economic sense to reduce spending in a period of cash flow challenges" which is another name for austerity. To this, the student movement must respond by demanding cuts to the outrageous salaries and allowances of political office holders, reducing the bloated number of the political office holders, blocking of wastage and corruption, repudiation of all fictitious debts, heavy taxation of the profit of the rich and the multinational companies. These are the areas where cuts are needed, not education and other social services.
(10) Nationalisation of the oil industry, banks and finance under public democratic control and management that would allow the beginning of planned environmentally friendly development of production, diversification of the economy through investment in large scale farming and massive investment in rural areas, state control of foreign trade etc.
H.T Soweto Michael Ogundele
National Coordinator National Secretary
Nigeria has entered into a period of economic crisis arising out of the plunge in crude oil price. Crude oil sale accounts for about 95% of export earnings and 80% of government revenue.
Whoever wins the February 14, 2015 presidential elections, whether Goodluck Jonathan or Muhammadu Buhari, would be compelled by the global oil price crisis to implement austerity measures that will create immense hardship. This is because in spite of alleged differences between the two, both Buhari and Jonathan are apostles of the unjust capitalist system whose inherent contradictions is responsible for the current global oil price fall and the periodic and alternating cycle of boom and bursts which has destroyed economies and blighted living standards of the working class and youth not just in Africa but across the world.
The Finance Minister and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Okonjo Iweala has described the crisis as a "permanent shock" (The Nation Newspaper 21 Nov. 2014). A euphemism for a disaster we have no hope of getting out from any time soon. Right now oil price hovers below $50 per barrel - down from $115 in June 2014. Likewise, despite efforts by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to defend the currency, the Naira continues to depreciate rapidly. Some days ago, Naira exchanged at N208 to a dollar on the parallel market.
Now strident alarms are being sounded that what remains of foreign reserve can only cover a few months of import. This is a bad news for an import-dependent economy like Nigeria. Growth forecast for the year 2015 has now been reviewed by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to 5% down from 7%. The 2015 budget was dead on arrival at the National Assembly last December. While it proposes $65 as oil benchmark (which had to be reviewed twice), it would call for a national celebration if crude oil price increases to $60 in the next few months. But even as unworkable as it already is, the 2015 budget proposal already foreshadows the fundamental attacks on public education and social services to be expected. Already a substantial cut has been effected in the proposed capital expenditure of the 2015 budget from N1.3 trillion to N627 billion. These means that despite current large deficit in public infrastructure, investment to improve facilities in schools, hospitals, roads, housing, electricity and water provision etc will be substantially reduced this year.
Mass consciousness has currently failed to grasp the enormity of the crises. This is because of the on-going election campaigns which while raising the hope of "change" has helped to blind large sections of the working class and poor. This is more so because there is no anti-capitalist party or an alternative mass workers political party contesting in the elections. But this state of consciousness would be temporary especially because the assault on our very existence will begin immediately after the elections no matter who wins. Already fundamental attacks have being announced to take off after elections. One is the hike in electricity tariff billed for July 2015. More is to be expected.
Austerity measures and the accompanying resistance will most certainly create a condition for the class struggle to grow and the possibility of the labour movement calling for general strikes and nationwide rallies and mass protests once again. However what will permanently defeat the attacks and ensure that we are saved from constant economic crises that destroy working peoples livelihoods is the replacement of the irrational capitalist system with a democratic socialist system that can permit the use of Nigeria's enormous oil wealth for real development in society and a higher living standard for the mass majority.
Most certainly, with the economic crisis will come a flurry of harsh austerity measures to save the free market economy from collapse. Public education, healthcare, the minimum wage, the civil service and our already miserable living standards will be subjected to the most brutal cuts. Retrenchment in the public and private sector will come while the army of unemployed will swell. Unemployment currently stands at 24% and poverty at 71%. The quality and standards in public primary and secondary schools will further plummet. Already working class parents who have their children and wards in private schools have to pay thousands and in certain cases hundreds of thousands of naira for tuition and other charges. Starting from the mid-90s, many middle class and working class parent were compelled to accept private schools at least at primary and secondary levels as the only available alternative to the wholesale destruction of public schools by government policy of underfunding. This is in spite of the expensive fees charged. However imagine the horror when private schools now further increase fees in the condition of downward decline in the value of wages that the economic crisis will create! This could mean private schools may become theatres of struggle in the coming period. In addition, teachers and non-academic staff will have their working conditions attacked. Ultimately the gains recently won by staff unions in the education sector will be threatened. This may lead to another round of strikes and disruptions in the academic calendar.
Fees will be hiked in public tertiary institutions. Universities like the Lagos State University (LASU) where a major fee battle was won last year will be threatened by the possibility of a re-introduction of high fees. If this happens, the argument of the new government in Lagos will be the same: To build a 21st century university, you have to pay more! As things stand now, attempts are already being made to claw back the gains of the struggles. Few people outside of LASU remember today that in the wake of the defeat of the fee hike last year after a 6-month long struggle, the Lagos State government was compelled not only to reverse the fee completely but also to enter into an agreement to release a sum of N69 million to refund all students who had to pay the hiked fees in the 2013/2014 academic session. Till today and with just about four (4) months to the end of incumbent Governor Babatunde Fashola's tenure, this has not materialised! Also many of the students and members of staff who played leading roles in the struggle are now being victimised.
Students of the Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU) whose fee battle was truncated before it could achieve victory last year must be ready to defend even the current level of fees. This is because as State governments are finding it difficult to pay workers, the question of adequate allocation to schools would be the least on their agenda. And where allocations to schools fall short, the default response of school administration is to pass the responsibility to students by hiking fees.
Same goes for the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) Ile Ife. The blind alley of the policy of "diplomacy", as opposed to mass struggle being the basis upon which any negotiations take place, is being exposed in the current situation in OAU. If it was difficult for the University administration to reduce the fees last year, it would take real, bitter and bold mass struggle to force a reduction, not to talk of a reversal, now in the era of austerity. Even if as is expected, the Federal government orders reduction of the fees, this would be no more than a decision made by President Jonathan because of elections that would be reversed immediately the government feels comfortable.
A Yoruba adage says: "a calamity that befalls one's peer is a warning to oneself". Fees were recently hiked at the Federal University of Petroleum Resources (FUPRE) leading to spontaneous protest on Monday 26 January 2015. This is just the first salvo of what will be an all-out assault against public education once the elections are over. Unlike last year when only a few institutions had their fees hiked, the coming period will see a generalised increase in fees under all kinds of guises. This why the Education Rights Campaign (ERC) is also calling for a generalised resistance. We need a resistance that unites all students across campuses with education workers and the wider working class in a joint struggle against austerity policies.
The ERC is a campaign platform formed by the Democratic Socialist Movement (DSM) in 2004 against the background of the ideological collapse of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS). This ideological collapse of NANS still exists till today. But it has become worse. There is hardly any Students Union across campuses in Nigeria today whose leadership is not populated by rightwing elements who see struggle as unnecessary even in the face of the most provocative assault on students rights and conditions. When these unions struggle at all, it is because the leadership was forced to do so by mass pressure from students.
However the point that must be made is that the predominantly rightwing character of the leadership of the student movement has seriously complicated the condition of struggle. Now we have in the student movement a situation where the consciousness of the students falls very short of the demands and severity of their situation. It is like the horse of the student movement is behind its cart. When students protest at all, in most cases, it is in reaction to injustice committed years ago. At the Michael Otedola Collage of Primary Education (MOCPED) in Epe Lagos, degree students have only just started protesting against a four-year old scam in which students pay fees, attend classes and write exams only to complete their studies without statement of result or certificate. Results are rarely released at every end of the semester. You would have thought struggle would have developed on that kind of issue long before now. Only on a few campuses where left and radical organisations exist are struggles developing correspondingly to attacks. But even here, rightwing union leaders are still successfully holding back struggle.
However the successful struggle against LASU fees last year boldly shows that this situation in the student movement can be overcome if activists, left organisations, ideological and radical groups unite around a campaign to step up struggle. Before the Student Union leadership of LASU became willing to lead the struggle, it was the work done by the Education Rights Campaign (ERC) and the #SaveLASU Campaign Movement that first popularised the issue of LASU fee hike, pushed it to the front burner of public discourse and compelled the State government to begin to defend itself in the media. With the working class later joining the struggle for reversal of the fees through strikes led by ASUU and SSANU LASU as well as the May Day protest by the Joint Action Front (JAF), it was only a matter of time before the State government acquiesced.
In the present circumstance in the student movement, we need to begin to organise and prepare for the eventuality of austerity attacks on the education. It is inevitable that there is currently within the student movement and generally in society a feeling of "the attacks aren’t here yet". This may even become more pronounced in a situation where the opposition wins the February 14, 2015 general elections. However no one must be fooled. Whatever feeling of restraint will be temporary. For as soon as the new capitalist government stabilizes itself, it would launch into the job of saving the system by applying cuts to education and other social services. In 1984 under the impact of a similar crises caused by oil price decline, Buhari government cancelled the University cafeteria system which was a system of subsidized feeding. Its cancellation meant the removal of an important crucial support system that permitted vast sections of poor students to apply for and complete University education in the 70s.
The benefit of preparation allows us not to be caught unawares. For instance what the victorious LASU struggle teaches is that when a campaign already exists, it can immediately take advantage of a changed situation and become a mass pole of attraction for those who want to fight back. A sort of an Anti-Austerity campaign/coalition uniting left groups, student unions, rank and file activists across campuses can begin now the most important work of preparing the student movement by first and foremost organising activities to raise the political level of the movement to comprehend the enormity of the situation we are in. Secondly, this alliance or coalition can also begin the work of campaigning for the NANS and other official platforms of students to develop a fighting program to resist the inevitable attacks.
When the attack eventually comes, the rightwing leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) will come under severe test. This is because the severity of the imminent attacks on education will demand methods of resistance that goes far beyond the capacity of individual campuses. The question of a nationwide one-day lecture boycott and mass protests may come back to the front burner of the student movement once again. To resist austerity attacks on education in 1984, Nigerian students led by NANS embarked on nationwide boycott and demonstration. Building a campaign or coalition that links activists, left groups and unions across campuses is a good starting point to begin to demonstrate the scale of resistance required and build the forces that can play leading roles in organising a fightback.
The ERC is calling for the building of a united campaign against cuts and for an alternative to the capitalist policy of austerity.
We put forward the following points to be the basis of a campaign. We are prepared to work with all forces that genuinely want to stop the cuts but, at the same time, the ERC believes it is necessary to outline an alternative to this crisis ridden system.
While we do not insist that all participants in the campaign agree with all our ideas, apart from the fundamental point of opposition to all cuts, we believe that the movement needs to have an alternative which, in the ERC’s view would be based around the following:
(1) An alternative to austerity that demands reversal of all hiked fees and improvement in the budgetary allocation to education
(2) Massive public works program to rebuild and improve teaching and living conditions in the education sector from primary to tertiary levels.
(3) A genuine free education policy to ensure that the over 10.5 million out-of-school children are absorbed into schools and receive quality education.
(4) Democratisation of the management of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) to include elected representatives of teachers, students and parents in order for the public to be able to monitor and stop the entrenched corruption in this agency which has affected its effectiveness.
(5) Payment of a Cost of Studying Allowance (COSA) to all students of tertiary institutions to cover costs of textbooks, feeding, clothing and transport.
(6) Jobs for all graduates. For an adequate unemployment allowance to be paid to all graduates without a job.
(7) Implementation of all collective agreements with staff unions, improvement in the wages and conditions of all education workers.
(8) For respect of democratic rights on campuses. Restore all banned unions and reinstate all politically victimised students and staff union leaders/activists.
(9) A capital no to austerity. Of course the capitalist government will respond with the mantra "it is good economic sense to reduce spending in a period of cash flow challenges" which is another name for austerity. To this, the student movement must respond by demanding cuts to the outrageous salaries and allowances of political office holders, reducing the bloated number of the political office holders, blocking of wastage and corruption, repudiation of all fictitious debts, heavy taxation of the profit of the rich and the multinational companies. These are the areas where cuts are needed, not education and other social services.
(10) Nationalisation of the oil industry, banks and finance under public democratic control and management that would allow the beginning of planned environmentally friendly development of production, diversification of the economy through investment in large scale farming and massive investment in rural areas, state control of foreign trade etc.
H.T Soweto Michael Ogundele
National Coordinator National Secretary
Thursday, February 19, 2015
JONATHAN MUST GO
When Obasanjo fulfilled the transition plan in
1979, he became a respected personality trusted with leadership by
Nigerians and was rewarded with mandate to lead the Country again after
20years when he became our Leader again in 1999.
When the issue of fractionalization of votes
occured between Awolowo and Shagari in 1983 Election, the attendant effects led to the loss of confidence by the masses in Shagari Government.
When the issue of fractionalization of votes
occured between Awolowo and Shagari in 1983 Election, the attendant effects led to the loss of confidence by the masses in Shagari Government.
When IBB betrayed the
transition plan in 1987,1989 and 1999, he became an object of ridicule
and was denied all access to lead the Country again under democratic
process in 2007 and 2011
When Shonekan betrayed his kinsman by accepting to head the Interim Government that thwarted the June 12, 1993 mandate of Abiola, he lost his respect and paved way for Abacha in 1994.
When Abacha became tyrannical with his
leadership of the country, the masses resisted his draconian rules and he lost respect from all and sundry.
When Abdulsalam Abubakar fulfilled the transition plan in 1998 abd hansed over to a legitimate government in 1999 as promised, he became a respectable personality that earned love and trust of the masses.
When Yar'adua succeeded Obasanjo in 2007 and accepted flaws in the process leading to his emergence and prioritise rule of law and lawful deeds, he is praised till date for sincerity of purpose.
Since Buhari was deposed in 1985 his credibility and proven integrity speaks volume and commandeers good followership built on trust and Nigerians are rooting for him to lead the Country again.
When Jonathan accidentally emerged as President in 2010, he was entrusted with the trust he has betrayed and today, President Jonathan has betrayed all his promises and the Country is in total disarray under his leadership by bringing disrepute to the office of the President as the most insulted President in the history of Nigeria with
hallmark in corrupt practices, impunity and greed.
Jonathan must be voted out of power at the
Presidential Election in FeBuhari and the masses must be prepared to shut down his wicked plots and machinations by ensuring a true reflection of the popular mandate of General Muhammadu Buhari.
Jonathan must be booted out of office like other leaders that failed their promises and must not be resisted at all fronts.
Comrade AbdulRahman Agboola
When Shonekan betrayed his kinsman by accepting to head the Interim Government that thwarted the June 12, 1993 mandate of Abiola, he lost his respect and paved way for Abacha in 1994.
When Abacha became tyrannical with his
leadership of the country, the masses resisted his draconian rules and he lost respect from all and sundry.
When Abdulsalam Abubakar fulfilled the transition plan in 1998 abd hansed over to a legitimate government in 1999 as promised, he became a respectable personality that earned love and trust of the masses.
When Yar'adua succeeded Obasanjo in 2007 and accepted flaws in the process leading to his emergence and prioritise rule of law and lawful deeds, he is praised till date for sincerity of purpose.
Since Buhari was deposed in 1985 his credibility and proven integrity speaks volume and commandeers good followership built on trust and Nigerians are rooting for him to lead the Country again.
When Jonathan accidentally emerged as President in 2010, he was entrusted with the trust he has betrayed and today, President Jonathan has betrayed all his promises and the Country is in total disarray under his leadership by bringing disrepute to the office of the President as the most insulted President in the history of Nigeria with
hallmark in corrupt practices, impunity and greed.
Jonathan must be voted out of power at the
Presidential Election in FeBuhari and the masses must be prepared to shut down his wicked plots and machinations by ensuring a true reflection of the popular mandate of General Muhammadu Buhari.
Jonathan must be booted out of office like other leaders that failed their promises and must not be resisted at all fronts.
Comrade AbdulRahman Agboola
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF UNIVERSITY STUDENTS (NAUS) HELD IT'S FIRST NATIONAL CONVENTION AT ANAMBRA STATE UNIVERSITY
 |
| NAUS LOGO |
The National Association of University Students (NAUS) is unarguably the largest students movement in Nigeria, with over 20 million members cut across universities in Nigeria, the members converged in Anambra state university Uli to hold her first annual convention to elect new set of leaders that will pilot the affairs of the association in the next academic year, after the expiration of the tenure of the out gone executives led by comrade Mohammed Shaibu of Nigerian University Students Association (NUSA) and comrade Peter Bassey Asuquo of National Association of Nigeria University Students (NANUS) which both bodies resolved for the university cadre to have one association. Hence the formation of the National association of university students (NAUS) which remain the umbrella body for all university students at home and in the Diaspora
STATE OF CAMPUSES:
That government at all levels should provide more infrastructure, particularly lecture halls, residence within campus of the universities, library equipments, transportation services, research and acquisition of knowledge in Nigeria schools in order to meet with the global standard
That haven observed the deteriorating standard of education in Nigeria, we urged the federal government of Nigeria (FGN) to give her priority to education thereby given education the highest budget accordingly to UNESCO standard as it is done all over the world.
That Nigerian student regret the gradual defamation of students’ union activist and ideological group by authorities who have perfected various means of rusticating and or expelling, dissenting voices aiming at students in the various university in Nigeria as part of strategies aimed at repositioning the students struggle.
STATE OF THE NATION:
That NAUS condemn in the strongest terms the wanton killing of the innocent Nigerians by the fundamentalist sect BOKO HARAM, ethnic militias and political desperadoes, whose stock in trade is to cause disaffection and disharmony among the peace-loving and good people of Nigeria, we urge everyone or any group involved in act of violence against the Nigeria nation and her people to explore the dialogue option of the federal government of Nigeria {FGN} in ensuring peace and rapid development of our nation towards transforming our ideas and goals in tools for national development.
CONCLUSION:
We are most grateful to the president and commander in chief of the armed forces of the federal republic of Nigeria Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR, for his developmental strides in the educational sector, and also for diversifying our economy in Nigeria. Also we appreciate the SSA on youth and students matters comrade Jude Imagwe (MON) for his continue support to the Nigerian students, the Governor of Anambra State Chief Willie Obiano, the vice chancellor of Anambra State University Uli, prof. Fidelis Okafor for his support during the convention, the security agents and other stake holders who ensured that we had a successful convention.
Finally our appreciation goes to comrade Abba Abba a.k.a Big J, SA special duties and field matters to SSA to Mr president on youths and students matters, comrade Sheriff Zadok the local organising committee L.O.C chairman, comrade Peter Bassey Asuquo the vice chairman and comrade Bamidele Danielson Monday the secretary of the convention and to all the students union presidents for their support during and after the convention.
Below are the names of the elected Officials of NAUS 2015 and institution.
Comrade Jonathan Olusegun Adekunle : Ekiti State University,Ado-Ekiti (National president).
Comrade Daniel Lawee Sunday : Nasarawa State University Keffi (Senate President)
Comrade Clinton Chukwudi Nwobu : Nnamdi Azikwiwe University Awka (National Secretary General)
Comrade Falaye Gbadegesin O: Olabisi Olabanjo University Ago-Owoye ( National Director of Sports and Social Duties)
Comrade Rauf Ismail: Ladoke Akintola University of Technology: (National Financial secretary)
Comrade Omayebu Hamzat Musa: Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai. (National Ex-officio1)
Comrade Jabez Jonathan Andzayi: Nasarawa State University, Keffi. (Clerk Of The Senate)
Comrade Abdullahi Mohammed Usman: Federal University Lafia, Nasarawa State. (National Mobilization Officer)
Note: other positions shall be filled through by- election during the senate meeting.
Signed,
Comrade Mohammed
Chairman NAUS Convention 2015.
Comrade Bamidele Danielson
Secretary NAUS Convention 2015
Ekiti State University students protest over late registration fee
Let me state it clear here that the Governor of Ekiti State has reduced the school fees to the sum of #30,000 which made the students re-affirm her commitment towards the success of Dr Ayodele Fayose.
Furthermore,the leadership of Ekiti Students which comprises Federation Of Ekiti State Students Union(FESSU), National Association Of Nigerian Students(NANS) and other related students bodies in Ekiti state has condemn the barbaric act of Prof Dipo Aina the vice chancellor of Ekiti state university,we see this act as a means of extorting our students,why on earth should such an huge amount of money be placed on our students????,we also demand to know what the following fees are meant for and how it is of students benefit;
- #5,000 for ICT which is of no benefit to students.
- #1,000 for entrepreneur which is also of no benefit to students.
- #1,000 for sport
- #5,000 for convocation even when such students are not in final year.
- Examination fee #2,500,does it means students are also going to pay before they write exams?.
- Lab Equipements #5,000, Lab workshop #5,000, does it means the students are the one to buy equipment supposed to be provided by the school?,and for christ sake what is Lab workshop?.
- #1000 for student records,which means student must pay before lecturers record their CA and Exams after paying for Exam.
We again appreciate the Governor Dr Peter Ayodele Fayose for his quick intervention in arresting today's situation,at thesame time we implore the Governor to help us call the VC to order,as we felt that his actions and non-challant attitude are done to make the students who has also support the Governor hate him.
We appreciate all students for their effort and we promise just has we've always done to make our campuses more comfortable and corruption free.
Until man dies.......
Viva Aluta!!!
Signed:
Com Famuyibo N Oluwasegun
NANS Deputy Senate President
Wednesday, February 18, 2015
NAPS kicks against the postponment of election
National association of polytechnic students (NAPS) the second
largest students movement in africa under the leadership of comr.
Salahudeen A Lukman the national president reacts to the
unconstitutional act of shiffting the Febuary polls by INEC.
The association communicating through it's public relation officer comr. Olugbode Damola Hammed stated the electoral commision has the power to shift a particular election to another date but not the general election. If there is need to shift a general election, the provision under section n135 must be fulfilled.
The association communicating through it's public relation officer comr. Olugbode Damola Hammed stated the electoral commision has the power to shift a particular election to another date but not the general election. If there is need to shift a general election, the provision under section n135 must be fulfilled.
Nigerians are fully ready for the election and the commission who
stipulated the date is expected to be ready too, our academic calender
are already adjusted in line with the election time table. Nigeria
students will work against any hidden motive of scuttling the transition
from one democratic government to another simply because Nigerians
can't afford to continue under this high tension as a result of thee
process, we need not to postpone such since the need does not exist
"Election is the lifeblood of democracy, the mechanism by which modern
representative democracy operates. It is the only way for the citizenry
to renew and refresh the governing process, so they can get the most
benefits out of democracy. Therefore, anyone that tries to sabotage this
mechanism is aiming a dagger straight to the heart of democracy."
The students group added by saying emphatically that INEC should work
up to credibility, give up on any bid to rig or manipulate election. A
free and fair election could be achieved if the electoral commission
could deliver the task before it without fear or favour, remaining
neutral to ignore intimidation and frustration from the tensed
atmosphere. As well ensure all candidates are well engaged to accept and
respect the outcome of the election. The needs to also embark on a
speedy distribution of PVCs is to be critically look into.
Various political campaign organization / committee should give up on attacking personality, digging beyond morals in the name of canvassing votes for their candidate and rather share their manifestos with the public, tell the masses what they have in package and solutions they have to offer to the existing challenges in the country. The need to caution supporters cannot be over stressed, this is the era of intellectual politics, shun hooliganism, violence, political thuggery and all unethical act.
The students body will be very skeptical on who to support in the next month coming polls, their youth educational action development plan / packages will go a long way in shaping who will enjoy the block votes of the students.#NigAcademicStudentsDecides#
The students group added by saying emphatically that INEC should work
up to credibility, give up on any bid to rig or manipulate election. A
free and fair election could be achieved if the electoral commission
could deliver the task before it without fear or favour, remaining
neutral to ignore intimidation and frustration from the tensed
atmosphere. As well ensure all candidates are well engaged to accept and
respect the outcome of the election. The needs to also embark on a
speedy distribution of PVCs is to be critically look into.Various political campaign organization / committee should give up on attacking personality, digging beyond morals in the name of canvassing votes for their candidate and rather share their manifestos with the public, tell the masses what they have in package and solutions they have to offer to the existing challenges in the country. The need to caution supporters cannot be over stressed, this is the era of intellectual politics, shun hooliganism, violence, political thuggery and all unethical act.
The students body will be very skeptical on who to support in the next month coming polls, their youth educational action development plan / packages will go a long way in shaping who will enjoy the block votes of the students.#NigAcademicStudentsDecides#
NAPS call for the withdrawal of Joseph Mbu (AIG) Statement by comrade Olugbode H Damola (NAPS PRO)
Sometimes I wonder where the nation is heading, those who are saddle with the constitutional responsibility of providing security of life and properties are the one posing treat to the citizens of the country. This post is necessitated by the statement recently credited to the Assistant Inspector General of Police Zone 2 Joseph Mbu saying 20 civilian will be killed in replace of 1 policeman kill during election.
I have been worried over the classification of the statement, could it be a warning? A treat or what ? What so ever the aim of the communicator may be, it is a treat to democracy and as well a plan to disenfranchise the citizens from exercising their rights. As regard the pro violence statement of the AIG, the students populace under the auspices of National association of polytechnic students (NAPS) hereby humbly request a total withdrawal or a rephrase of the statement, the entire Nigeria
students are determine to exercise their franchise and will work against any agent trying to sabotage the transition of power from one democratic government to another.
students are determine to exercise their franchise and will work against any agent trying to sabotage the transition of power from one democratic government to another.
Comr olugbode damola H
NAPS PRO
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)