NAPS DEMANDS THE IMMEDIATE REPLACEMENT OF KADPOLY’S RECTOR (AG)

December 8 2016

“The man dies in him who keeps mute in the face of injustice” Wole Soyinka

 The need for a substantive rector in KADPOLY became obvious to all, just as the unjustifiable hundred percent school fees increment surfaced from an administration of less than six months in office. The Rector (Ag) shot herself repeatedly by thinking it’s phenomenal to make business from the opportunity presented to her to head the institution while a substantive rector is appointed.

 School fees increment should come at reasonable intervals with justifiable reasons when the need arises, the idea of increasing school fees annually by fifty to hundred percent is nothing but fraud, corruption and abuse of office. The dream to believe fees increment can be forced on students is inhumanity and callousness, students as a key stakeholder should be consulted and dully represented on the floor where an increase in school fees is to be taken, as anything short of this calls for investigation.
 Playing dangerous politics to secure confirmation of office and sailing through the unjust school fees increment is an indication of an incompetent hand at the helm of affairs. Contracting Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) for image polishing, dividing students voice on agitation, buying weak comrades with finance and intimidating of strong ones symbolizes reign of tyrant.

 It becomes the tradition of KADPOLY to suffer setbacks when there comes a need for change in leadership, Rectors in acting capacities are mostly infected with the get rich quick syndrome therefore resulting to one crisis or the other. Plans to make enough profits in no time fuels the exploitation of students in disguise of school fees increment, making education a debt sentence for its seekers and turning deaf ears to the yearning of the commoners.

 The leadership of National Association of Polytechnic Students (NAPS) calls on the federal government to investigate the recent happenings in KADPOLY in other to save our carrier from derailment delay and halt as proposed by the rector through the school fees increment. We solemnly request the timely intervention of the federal government in restructuring wrongs, reversal of the hike school fees and appointment of a substantive rector, considering the adverse effects of students matching to the streets to express dissatisfaction in a volatile environment like Tundun-Wada area of Kaduna State.

 We are keen on this struggle and will never take a No for a Yes, it’s our prayer that the federal government see reasons early enough to replace the Rector (Ag) as obviously the ideology to lift the institution to greater height still lags. KADPOLY’s administration is far more than leadership training ground, the school is one of the prides of polytechnic education in Nigeria and our arms won’t be fold while it’s been ruined.

 Signed 
Comr Olugbode Damola H
NAPS National PRO (08068360731)

UPDATE ON KADPOLY SCHOOL FEES INCREAMENT

November 26 2016

Dare to struggle! Dare to win!!

 In sincerity of purpose we appreciate the timely response of KADPOLY management to have quickly revisited the school fees increment with a down ward review of #5,000. It is appreciable that the management had not wait to witness the demonstration of resistance before necessities are coming to play, we are advocates of peaces and orderliness but never will we fold our arms while injustice reign.

 It is not over until is over, a total reversal of the obnoxious increment is possible and realistic; we shall never rest until the revolution is complete. Our leadership is head bent on giving our students the best representation at all fronts, owing to the fact that the Student Union Government of KADPOLY has been dissolved, it is of required obligation that the leadership of NAPS come to the rescue of the students, fill all gaps and ensure no room for exploitation under any guise.

 We on this note reach out to all concern KADPOLITE, to as a matter of urgency gather at the school field for a congress meeting by 10.00am on Tuesday 29th of November for an extensive deliberation on what next to do (satisfied with the review or not). Adequate preparation is in place, all security outfits has been serve notification and request for coverage, as we assure you all of maximum coordination, and protection from aftermath intimidation and humiliation of any kind.

 We however show gratitude and appreciation to all stakeholders, NANS leadership and others who have been in contact with us since the inception of the struggle, the show of concern and love for a victorious battle are all acknowledged. It is our believe that we can handle the situation at hand to your satisfaction but will not hesitate to reach out for help when situation goes out of control, we shall be in constant touch with you all as the struggle progress.

Our lives begin to end the day we start keeping mute over issues that matters! 

The man dies in him, he who keeps mute in the face of oppression!!
 Freedom cometh by struggle!!!

 Signed 
Comr Olugbode Damola H
NAPS National PRO (08068360731)

NAPS REJECTS THE UNJUST INCREASE IN KADPOLY SCHOOL FEES

November 23, 2016

Justice is a temporary thing that must at last come to an end; but the conscience is eternal and will never die

It is crystal clear the current leadership of KADPOLY lacks the vision and charisma to lead the institution to greater height, keen observations since the expiration of the last rector’s tenure gives enough clues. The ideal of making education a business venture is rooted in the administration, as what could justify the hundred percent increase in tuition fee, just after a year the institution witness an increase in school fees.

From whatever angle we wish to decipher the increase in school fees, it is a harsh decision coming at a time the nation is battling economic crisis, unions going on strikes due to non payment of members salaries, traders lamenting the drastic drop of Naira to Dollar and governors resisting the payment of N18,000 minimum wage. Financial constrain obviously, is the sole reason most students couldn't meet up resumption dates and any increase in fees will be tantamount to exploitation of unjustifiable motives.

NAPS expresses displeasure as the school authorities closes her eyes to the current economic status of the state and the country as a whole, we rejects in totality the ideal of increasing the school fees under any guise, the state of the nation ordinarily would give no room for the condolence of such callous proposal of KADPOLY management as over average of the country's population lives from hand to mouth due to recession. The perception of education being a debt sentence shall be resist to the later by our leadership, we shall mobilize in true spirit of activism to revolt against the unjust increase of the school fees by hundred percent.

 We reach out to all students to shun the payment, commence mobilization for the struggle as we shall permanently shift the secretariat of NAPS to the institution if the increment is not reverse within seven days, the operation occupy KADPOLY shall commence immediately on 29th November 2016 on expiration of our ultimatum and all students are advice to make themselves available to reject the upturning of our institution into a business venture.

  Signed
 Comr Olugbode Damola H
NAPS National PRO (08068360731)

BEING TH E PRESS STATEMENT ISSUED BY NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF POLYTECHNIC STUDENTS (NAPS) OVER THE CONTINUAL CLOSURE OF ABDUL-GUSAU POLYTECHNIC ZAMFARA ON THE 1st NOVEMBER 2016

Naps leadership have been monitoring activities and events as it unfold at Abdul Gusau Polytechnic Talata Mafarawa Zamfara state, since the closure of the institution gate due the killings of eight students over an alleged blasphemous statement. The school is yet to resume academic activities despite the restoration of peace and orderliness to the region, and students display of willingness to return back to classroom for continuation of their academic programs.

The need to resume academic activities cannot be over stress as the unnecessary further delay of resumption can be more dangerous in exposing the idle students hand to the devils workshop. More harm has been inflicted on the already lagging behind academic calendar which is yet to recover from the thirteen months nationwide strike action bearing in mind the institution is barely two weeks to second semester examination before the occurrence of the ugly incidence.

We call for adequate attention to the state educational condition rather than the junketing around of the governor in the name of northern governors’ forum, the dilapidated infrastructure and obsolete facilities of state own institutions and efforts to rise the collapsing state of education should be paramount to the state government, we argue the northern region of the country can only be stronger the qualitative education.

NAPS won’t hesitate moving the national secretariat down to the state if the state government fails to see reasons why the school should be reopen in seven days from this day, we shall move our structures to demand the resumption in our own styles, several letters, consultation and consolidation have been employed before resorting to this stage. He who make a peaceful negotiation impossible makes a violent negotiation inevitable.

Having case the fox away we must return to the chick, we urge our students to be law abiding citizens, embrace peace and tolerance within and outside the polytechnic community. We should avoid any act capable of elongating our stay on campus or distract our academic activities. Student community all-round the country should be the safest and most peaceful place to stay on earth, an abode of peace, tranquility, unity and tolerance.

Signed
Comr Olugbode Damola
NAPS National PRO

OVER POPULATION IN HIGHER INSTITUTIONS: THE BREEDING OF HALF BAKED GRADUATES, A SANDY FOUNDATION FOR NIGERIA FUTURE.

The establishment of Yaba technical institute back then was to ensure the production of young Nigerians who can take up middle level man power job from the whites whose dominant is obviously dangerous for our call for independence. Brilliant performance from dedicated teachings and monitored investment in the institute result the creation of a premier university in Ibadan, our today's pride as virtually all sectors in the country are being managed by our own flesh mostly scholars from our institution and very few who traveled abroad for brushing up.

Negating the essence of education and misunderstanding the needs of education, mitigating it only to be a perquisite of wealth. Nigerians now patronize educational schools with the dream of graduating to make a living from the labour market with little or no recourse to the relative benefits of such knowledge to the nations growth. Pathetically degrees are mare qualifications into job entry as relevant skills trainings follows to make such personalities functional.

The enthusiasm of getting educated at all cost, to surpass humiliation and oppression as make believe in Nigeria of today, that without a minimum of degree or it equivalent life is miserable, the cajole into exploitation and extortion of educational managers increases day in day out. Sympathetically one out of every hundred gets value for their money as institutions are crowded with overload, capital abuse of carrying capacity therefore resulting to the flush out of heated or half baked graduate into the society yearly.

School now turns profit making ventures negating the aim and mission establishing same during the days of our  colonial masters, so many private elementary schools to complement our public ones yet mass failure rocks WAEC and NECO yearly. Proceed to study any course that present itself in the higher institution just to posses the certificate and the will to admit many as possible for profit as successfully given us a crowded business enterprise as polytechnics and universities.

Higher institutions admits thousands of students for a course with a capacity less than two hundred, purchase of public address system is adopted to give fair treatment, while students wake up early and even sleeps in class to secure seats for lecture, the fear of suffocation bring lecturers late to class and ejects early enough out of the cell named classroom. Practical classes are boycotted or to be taking in ratio twenty to one machine minimally. We now have computer science graduates who finds it difficult to operate a system yet graduated with first class from the respected institutions of ours.

The present of Nigeria is bleak, what do the future holds? When what we produces are job seekers and and not entrepreneurs, we roll out engineers yearly and still battles with the production of pencils, countless scientists goes in to the labour market yearly yet Nigerians aren't technology providers. The fear of the future, the fear of the unborn strikes my heart as there exist no linkage between our schools and industries.

Standard departs our education sector on speed, holistic overhauling is required to restructure the nooks and crannies of the system, Nigeria education begs proper and adequate attention, bridging the gap between the industries and the institutions is essential and most importantly sanctions be introduced to over crowding of our institutions. Nigeria education shall be great again.

Comr Olugbode DAMOLA H
ALUTA D-MODE
NAPS National PRO

DECLARATION OF INDEFINITE STRIKE BY ASUP YABATECH CHAPTER, AN IRRATIONAL DECISION LACKING RESPECT FOR STUDENT CAREER PROGRESSION

Making an unequivocal position on the deceleration of indefinite strike by the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnic Yaba College of Technology Chapter became imperative of our leadership, the action is presumed to be callous on the students who are preparing for the first semester examination.

Going by our wide consultation with all structures including the regional Secretariat of West Africa Polytechnic Student's Union WAPSU, the apex leadership structure in the Region, it is deem necessary we assert to ASUP that our role in the system is beyond learning but equally a key Stakeholder in the sustainability of peace and harmony in the sector which is a pivot for attaining an hitch free academic session for student,  staff management and the polytechnic community at large.

Mutual respect of every group interest with due consideration is expected, in absence of these we hereby condemn the decision of the union to declare an  indefinite strike action over one month unpaid allowance as it reflect no better understanding of the  union's  purposeful leadership rather a deliberate attempt to frustrate the student and the system entirely. Aside the fact that student examination  Commence soonest the justification for this act remain unjust as we believe equally the union must have boycotted her National Leadership approval for this action as past and present National Leadership of ASUP as displayed in several occasion high respect for student constituency which always ensure tangible reasons for any strike action if it must be declared.

We expect the union to kick start pressure on Federal Government to see to immediate implementation of National Council On Establishment is sat 39th Meeting Resolution which seek to halt permanently the dichotomy between HND and BSC in civil service and possible the autonomy for polytechnics to award B.Tech rather than this show of shame. 

Our investigation has reveal that this situation is not only limited no peculiar to only  Yaba college of Technology but almost all Federal Polytechnic in Nigeria so why Yaba Tech ASUP in hurry.  The hurry declaration  of indefinite strike therefore brought forth question of sincerity and conscience of the chapter chairman to the system most especially the student community.

We wish to clearly state that one month unpaid allowances with 100%paid salary does not worth holding thousands of Nigerian Polytechnic student to ransom by declaration of indefinite strike by any Union except on selfish interest which lack moral,  constitutional and legal backing nor student solidarity.

It is also imperative we remind the chapter to source alternative means for pressing her demands from either Federal Government or the Management  Authority aside industrial action as we student will not continue to be a bait for any Union in academic setting to catch it's fish any longer. We have some thing meaningful to do with our lives,  our graduation is essential and prerequisite for our career development.

The question of integrity we wish to throw out is as follows

If ASUP is embarking on strike for one month unpaid allowance,  who should Nigeria Polytechnic students in the college turn to for payment of their extended house rent,  utility bill,  cost of feeding and most importantly time unnecessarily injured out of Union lack of understanding?  We hereby implore,  appeal and eulogise the ASUP Yaba Tech chapter to suspend the unjustifiable indefinite strike and  resume work with immediate effect while we pledge our support and solidarity as usual  for the union to mount pressure on Federal Government of Nigeria to resume the allowance payment in due course among other pressing  matter's that affect our sector.

We shall be available to smoothing the peace talk between the union and college management in no distance time while anticipating official resumption  of work in Yaba College of Tech latest before Wednesday. 

We call on management to embrace dialog with the union to fast track the peace and restoration of academic activities in the college.

Aluta continua Victoria Ascerta. 

Signed. 

Comr Olugbode Damola Hammed. 
National PRO NAPS 

Comr.  Oyeniyi Abdulmajeed
Deputy Senate President NAPS

Comr.  Adekanbi Sunday Speaker WAPSU

Cc : FME,  DSS, NPF, MEDIA ASUP NATIONAL.

NAPS HAILS COUNCIL OF ESTABLISHMENT CALLS FOR IMPLEMENTATION

It is gratifying to realize that in spite of the propaganda against the polytechnic system by the Nigerian sycophants and hypocrites, the Council of Establishment does not succumb to any emotional weakness while making the fundamental decision of removing the disparity in career progression and differential salary structure between polytechnic graduates and the university counterparts in civil service though with a PGD prerequisite, giving a step victory to the total abolishment of HND / BSC dichotomy. The rational decision to put an end to the unjust discriminatory against the HND holders is rightly celebrated,

Implementation remains the greater challenge our struggles are faced with, so many favorable policy statement had come and gone without implementation hereby relegating the struggles to power zero, it therefore became imperative we push for the implementation of the policy, immediate jacking up of all due workers with PGD to necessary grades as policy statement without implementation is like shooing a gun without bullet.

We see the development as a great challenge for all stakeholders to merge force for the remover of all obstacles to the nations search for technology advancement. The struggle goes beyond career progression, it is the emancipation of polytechnic education from marginalization, segregation and discrimination, agitation for parity at all fronts including funding and structures, a call for the autonomy of polytechnics to award degrees and higher degree certificates, a fight for the sustainability of polytechnic education towards the technological breakthrough of our beloved nation.

The scandalous policy (rumor) of scrapping polytechnics or their conversion to campuses of neighboring universities will meet the rejection of the students as it negates the objectives of polytechnic education that dealt with technical expertise and practical orientations which is not obtainable in the conventional universities. Polytechnic is a practical base institution and that is the global demand, it is expected that the polytechnic be accorded good treatment with utmost attention for it is theory that dissolve into practical for the sake of optimum productivity, but in our situation we give more prominence to theory rather than practical and our polytechnics are treated with frivolities, fragrantly discriminated and completely looked down upon.

We call for the change of attitude towards the polytechnic education and removal of all discriminatory policies which discourage students from seeking admission to technical based schools other than converting the system to campus of neighboring universities. It is our desire as patriotic Nigerians to see our polytechnics having autonomy to award degrees and higher degree certificates, treated with utmost respect in all ramifications and empowered to compete with polytechnics in the advance countries

Comrade Olugbode Damola
NAPS National PRO

HND/BSC DICHOTOMY A MULTIFACETED PROBLEM

Victorious songs of the abolishment of HND/BSC dichotomy, rented the air having most polytechnic students and graduates in celebration over the long anticipated victory. Overwhelmingly I read on social media the delighted reactions, exultations and jubilations on the favorable outcome of the Council of Establishment's meeting in Mina which gave a pointing solution to the multifaceted problem of HND/BSC dichotomy.

The HND/BSC dichotomy still survive this long due to poor or no implementation of policy statement. Struggle against HND/BSC dichotomy has always record tremendous victory in its agitation, but are faced with execution challenges from conscienceless power in authority. President Olusegun Obasanjo once pronounced the abolishment of the dichotomy but the development was massively stampeded by cabals who derive joy in the unwarranted superiority contest of the duo certificate.

The purported removal of embargo on HND holders carrier progression in civil service with a requirement of PGD is a victorious struggle indicating the need to buckle up agitation on the total removal of the dichotomy. Discrimination facing the polytechnic certificate is complex and requires logical approach, however one has to understand the struggle or get crushed in the fight.

The struggle of HND/BSC dichotomy is that of fairness and equity, the demands goes beyond carrier progression, and it is hypocritical to say the dichotomy of HND/BSC has been removed without the total overhauling of the polytechnic system. The awarding of B.tech and higher certificates in the Polytechnic system is yet to be achieved, the governmental sentiments to the system increases and yet we are celebrating the removal of dichotomy.

The fast trending news of the ceiling removal on carrier progression remains speculation until its official acknowledgement by the Council of Establishment. The council is an authority whose act and stand is unambiguous, precise and clear. The news is hence advice to be treated like a rumor till further elucidation on the purported communiqué of the Mina conference.

Optimism is our religion in the struggle for the abolishment of HND/BSC dichotomy, we identify our demands and remain firm on them, we refuse to be cajole into speculations and rumors. The struggle continues for the manumission of the polytechnic system from discrimination. #SAYNOTOHND/BSCDICHOTOMY #POLYTECHNICMUSTAWARDB.TECH

Comrade Olugbode Damola
ALUTA D-MODE
NAPS National PRO

STUDENTS AS SCAPE GOAT OF INDISCIPLINE IN NIGERIA POLICE FORCE

When conscienceless power meets with powerless conscience; the former laugh first and the later laugh last.

The history of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) within the context of ‘students’ is a history punctuated with flood of sweats, tears, bloods and lives. It is the history that reduces the combine Sharpeville and Soweto masseurs to childsplay. It is the history that legitimized insanity and constitutionalized uniformania. In any case the activities of the uniform men is the history of power allocated to the barrel of the gun. This is to say that the history is that of sadistic barbaric zombies in human clothing.

It is most unfortunate that the Nigeria police which is supposed to be the constructive instrument of protection and defense of life and properties as turn out to be an unprogressive machination of destruction, dehumanization and anarchism. It is now the characteristic features of the Nigeria police to baton, booth, wound, maim and shoot when they collide with students, these we condemn without reservation.

There comes a hopeless conspiracy when we recall the criminal silence, treasonable passivity and subtle sanction usually displayed by the cream of the society each time Nigerian students are gunned down by uniform men. It will be superficial to assume / assert that the occasioned students / police confrontation which usually resulted in the massacre of Nigeria students is the sole hand work of the Nigeria Police, I make bold to say that the Nigeria ruling class aids it, the Nigerian elite parents abet it, the Nigerian human right activists condone it and the press compromises it. FRANTZ FANON would say “the future would have no pity for those men who possessing the exceptional privilege to being able to speak the words of truth to their oppressors, but have taken refuge in an attitude of passivity of mute indifference, and sometimes in cold complicity”

Recalling the catalogue of systematic elimination of Nigerian students is to bring back the melancholy of morning and moaning our friends who had fall victims of indiscipline and maladies, but the Nigeria police would not seize giving us reasons to fall on our wound which often calls for students march for justice. Never has there been reason why Nigeria students would exclude the Nigeria police from the wretched of the earth and revolting system we are fighting against.

The burning crisis of Rufus Giwa Polytechnic Owo is another show of shame of the Nigeria police, display of unprofessionalism any a tyrannical oppressing scene. A reckless driver displaying his recklessness in the name of being a police knocked down students on motto-bike neglected them helplessly and took to his heels. Students in solidarity march on the getting the critical statutory conditions of the victims, accompanied by the rector and directorate of students affairs were repelled by tear gas and bullets of the police leaving the students with more causalities , bullet injuries and a cocoa villa of the institution burnt down.

Is there any assurance that it won’t happen again? This the more reason we need stand to our feet to seek justice this time or we have the cause to come through this bitter situation again. It is essential we march in confrontation with identical confrontation to put a stop to the mess, neither gun nor musketeers do we have but we shall prove to them that only on superficial level do power emanates from the gun but on the fundamental level power emanates from the supreme will of the people.

This struggle is essential as to enable us know who really the murdered of Nigeria students are, the Nigeria police or the on-looking traitor who will keep mute and hide behind the mask of Nigerian socio-political system. We call on all comrade and activist of good will to help as we ensure that an immediate stop is put to the seasonal massacre of Nigeria students by the operation of the Nigeria police.

Comrade Olugbode Damola.H
(ALUTA D-MODE)
Naps National P.R.O

SUSTAINABILITY OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS IN OYO STATE A NON NEGOTIABLE OBSESSION

 

"When planning for a year, sow corn
When planning for a decade, plant trees
When planning for a life, train and educate men."

The right to education has always been universally recognized by declarations, covenants and conventions , the world has acknowledged the inalienable right of the people to education. This right has materialized into a natural right and to achieve full realization of this right the world has recognized the need for free education which started with the universal declaration of human right. Today over seventy countries  have made some progressive constitutional provision or other statutory enactment on the right to education.

The fast trending deceleration of the Oyo state government to privatise our public schools left us bewildered, the plan to eradicate free education at all level is not only tragic but catastrophic as well, and should be recorded in the black bank of blemish of those who have the effrontery to make such retrogressive pronouncement in Nigeria 21st century. We contend education must be available to every man to the best of his natural ability to enable him be in the fittest possible state to produce to the utmost that he his capable of.

An arrangement under which some are privilege to education while some are not is inhuman, unjust and in the long run anti social. It gives the educated an unfair advantage in economic, political and other social activities over the uneducated fellow citizens, even though the later might have greater inborn talents and latent abilities over the former. It is absurd logic to conclude privatizing our public school because certain groups are bidding, without rethought of the helpless masses who could only train their wards through the public school program.

To the entire progressive minds  throughout Nigeria and all over the world, sustainability of Public Schools Education in Oyo State as become an obsession that in not negotiable. The struggle for the achievement of this goal will continue even if our heads will be used breaking the coconut of the free education crusade.

Education is light, it banishes fear of ignorance. Any government that does not pursue and prosecute free education at all levels policy will be regarded as Nigeria's enemy number one because free education at all levels is the only remedy to the orientational confusion which our country is currently engulfed in.

Nothing must be allowed to plug the wheel of free education at all level in a Democratic Nigeria. We will ensure the anti free education protagonist keep their blaspheme to themselves if they have nothing to offer to Nigeria and Nigerian

Comrade Olugbode Damola
NAPS National PRO
Member FOSSU

STATE OF CAMPUSES

Being the press Text issued by the National Association of Polytechnic Students NAPS in Conjunction with the Regional Secretariat West Africa Polytechnic Student Union WAPSU. This Day 4th June 2016.

Protocol,

State Of The Nation
It became imperative for our leadership to appraise the situation of our dear country and the state of our campuses at this critical time.

Commemorating the 2016 democracy day and marking of 1 year of diligence service with commitment and dedication to our dear Nation by President Muhammad Buhari led administration.

On behalf of the entire Nigerian polytechnic students, we joined millions of Nigerians home and Diaspora to commemorate this year 2016 Democracy Day with the Federal Government of Nigeria while appreciating his Excellency President Muhammadu Buhari GCFR for his commitment to rebuild, restructure and reinstate infrastructural facilities, confidence of the citizen in governance and sanity in the public service respectively.
We appeal to the Government to consider speedy, even distribution and holistic implementation of all her social security and empowerment policy including consideration of minimum wage increase to cushion the effect of PMS and Electricity tariff hike in the country.

While calling for special attention on Industrial Training Fund ITF, National Youth Service Corps NYSC and the Niger Delta Region to enhance their effective functioning without hitches and total restoration of peace and Normalcy in the region respectively.

We express sincere satisfaction with the new policy of Federal Government of Nigeria as announced by the Honorable Minister of Education Malam Adamu A Adamu ,  Scrapping post UTME and pegging cut off mark across board to 180 , this mark absolute parity at entrance level  for all students seeking admission into higher institutions in Nigeria while we  call for strict adherence to this directive by all Chief Executive Officers  of our respective  Institutions,  as this bring forth a strong signal for a possible/close  end to HND/Bsc dichotomy in Nigeria. 
Removal of 5,000-10,000 charges on student/graduates (As the Case May Be) for regularization of admission by jamb is also required to enhance total sanity in the system, Also re-affirming our commitment and support for the Honorable Minister of Education Mallam Adamu A Adamu mission to revive Educational standard in the country as displayed so far in the ministry actions, policies and implementation strategy.

State of Campus.

We stand tall to condemn the continuous dent of polytechnic image by the desperate individuals and groups all in the name of Rectorship contest in  Federal Polytechnic Offa kwara state, the unnecessary attack on the personality of the acting Rector Dr. Mrs. Ayodele Olaosebikan is considered as a deliberate attempt to distract her leadership focus to sustain the legacy of Restructuring and Rebuilding of Federal Polytechnic Offa, kwara State Academic Excellence, Image and Functional Structures as commenced by the immediate past administration Led by Dr. Muftau Olatinwo where she served as Deputy Rector Academic.

Her emergence as Acting Rector has been identified by the student populace, National and Regional Student body as total blessing to the institution with record of smooth, uninterrupted, hitch free and successful 2015/2016 first semester Examination, while in preparation for resumption of impeded free 2nd semester for 2015/2016, the management  led by Ag rector has commence massive repairs and fixing of broken facilities and student hostels .

This indeed confirmed her commitment to prioritize academic excellence and student welfare. Cum introduction of online result checking to ease prompt release and accessibility of results by students which is first of its kind in the history of the polytechnic among others.

“he who burn down his father house shall inherit ashes” in this case we shall not allow any individual to burn down our hard earn dignity, reputation and value,  therefore we  declared all desperate contestants sponsoring frivolous allegation and raising unnecessary tension in the polytechnic unfit to rule the institution.

On the superficial level, power emanates from the barrel of  guns, but on the fundamental level power erupts from the supreme will of the populace.

A diligent, loyal and tested performer Dr. Mrs Olaosebikan Deserve our support to succeed as remain the most preferred and most qualified to lead the system.

We call on all distracters to desist from blackmailing the system with frivolous allegations, raising undue tension capable of breaking peace on campus, as it affect not only the innocent personality  of Dr. Mrs.  Ayodele Olaosebikan but the whole of the Federal Polytechnic image, reputation and by extension the Nigeria polytechnic sector, offa community,  and the host state at large .

We call for maximum  respect and regards for women in Technical education sector,  as usual conspiracy against Female Rectors in the polytechnic system is uncalled for which is capable of  discrediting moves of   President Buhari  to implement 35% affirmative actions target to encourage women in politics and leadership as recommended by United Nation.

Our assessment of her performance in short term as Ag Rector informed our unanimous Vote Of Confidence on her leadership while we implore Federal Government of Nigeria to hasten her confirmation process as substantial Rector of The Federal Polytechnic Offa Kwara State, to fast-track the development of the Institution as well increase the number of Female Rectors in Nigeria to 3 out of about 27 Federal Polytechnics which is far less to the anticipating 35% Affirmative Action Target in All sectors.

We received the news of crisis in Federal Polytechnic Auchi with shock while we frown at violence and destruction of properties by the protesting students, our leadership shall Raise delegation to visit the institution in a bid for restoration of peace and normalcy, we appeal to all students of the polytechnic to remain calm as we are on top of the situation.

We extend our Vote Of Confidence in the leadership of the below institutions for effective management of academic, student and staff welfare affairs, The Federal Polytechnic Nekede Imo State, Federal Polytechnic Bauchi, Bauchi State, Kaduna polytechnic Kaduna, Federal Polytechnic Oko Anambra State, Federal Polytechnic Ilaro  Ogun State, Federal College of Education Technical Gombe State and the Great  Yaba College of Technology , Yaba Lagos State Nigeria.

While calling on the Bauchi State Government to facilitate immediate confirmation of the Ag Rector of Abubakar Tatari Ali Polytechnic Bauchi haven performed credibly in acting capacity.

We call for judicious utilization of education budgetary allocation for year 2016 with full implementation.

We are optimistic that the Federal Government of Nigeria will adhere to our position, as we represents the largest section/ percentage of the institutions, also as the major factor for the existence of the polytechnic in the country, we shall equally rejects any decision or imposition of anything less credible capable of disrupting our academic success, devalue our certificate worth while we pamper our peace in recovery of lost time to strike actions.

Long live NAPS
Long Live WAPSU
Long Live Federal Republic of Nigeria

Isoweto E Africa!

Aluta continua Victoria Ascerta!

Amb.  S A Lukman
Reg. president WAPSU 

Sen.  Oyeniyi Abdulmajeed
        DSP NAPS                   

Comr.  Adekanbi Sunday
Dir. Media And Publicity

Comr. Olugbode Damola H
NAPS    National PRO NAPS

BEING THE REPORT OF THE STUDENT JOINT FACT FINDING COMMITTEE OF NAPS, WAPSU AND NIDSUG ON THE RECENT SECURITY CHALLENGES FACING STUDENT COMMUNITIES IN RIVERS STATE NIGERIA.

Preamble.
National Association of Polytechnic Students NAPS is an umbrella body for over Twenty one Million Nigerian students of Polytechnic, Monotechnics, Colleges of Education technical,  Colleges of Technology and other allied institutions awarding ND and HND Certificate across the federation of Nigeria.

Niger Delta Student Union Government NIDSUG, an umbrella body of all students of Niger Delta origin schooling home and abroad with the National Secretariat at Port Harcourt Rivers State Nigeria.

West Africa Polytechnic Student's Union WAPSU is the regional and commanding height for all Polytechnic Student's in West Africa region with her regional secretariat in kaduna polytechnic kaduna state Nigeria for the first time in the history of the union where a Nigeria rule as president.

INTRODUCTION

Following the incessant student unrest in Rivers state,  the above mentioned National student Union bodies arrived at a decision at the end of her special joint meeting of her leadership, NAPS, NIDSUG and the regional secretariat of West Africa Polytechnic Student's Union WAPSU, the meeting prompted by recent killings of Students in the state (the Police extra judicial killing, Armed Robbery Attack and political assassination) ,  emanating to incessant student unrest in the state. A resultant effect of introduction of new policies and improper implementation plans by Chief Executive officers of the institution and security challenges off and on campuses.

In our bid to find lasting complimentary solution to insecurity of life and property, proper management of Student welfare among others in river state student communities,  our special committee raised by trio Union consider the need to embark on fact finding mission to state.
The Committee of 7 men delegtion arrived River state on Wednesday 27th April 2016 and swing into action on Thursday 28th April 2016.
Our parley began with a visit to the office of the commissioner of Police River state command who was not on seat but received by the command Ag PPRO.  The mission of the visit to the state was table by our delegation leader and received commendation and satisfactory will of  Nigerian police Force while a pledge of necessary support for our leadership to actualize the peace and security of all our colleagues in state followed.
The findings continues with our delegation visit to ogoni land Bori,  the host community of the Ken Sarowiwa Polytechnic,  where we interacted with numbers of indigene within the community,  as well interviewed some students on campus, before meeting with student Union President,  Dean Student Affairs and the management Team.
After due consideration of the information gathered from the series of interactions and interrogation mentioned above.
Our delegation acknowledged the commitment of the management team led by the acting Rector, Dr.  Onengiye Moses Georgewill and the chairman Governing Council Bar. Adokiye Amiesemaka of Ken Sarowiwa Polytechnic Bori,  Rivers State. The commitment and cooperation of the duo have indeed recorded unprecedented achievement and turn around in Area of infrastructure,  basic facilities and Student friendly policies and administration pattern which quarrante fast growth of the Polytechnic.

RECOMMENDATIONS

The State government is encourage to expedite action to confirm the acting rector as substantial Chief Executive officer /Leader of the management team of the Polytechnic to give the full assumption of pragmatic and purposeful leadership that will restore standard and excellent academic practice.

The state Government is encourage to ensure prompt and increase subvention allocation  to the the institutions to discourage the need for school fee hike which often degenerate to crisis (Student Unrest)

The Polytechnic is encourage to embrace life and health  Insurance policies for all the students and staffs in the Polytechnic.

The Polytechnic Authority is strongly recommend to streamline the exit and entry within the Polytechnic by the introduction of ID card Tag which should be mandatory for all students and staff as visa to enter the Polytechnic premises.  This will assist to identify a stranger in the Polytechnic communities.

The Polytechnic is advice to re-introduce Man o' war and cadet corps to assist and boost the internal security framework.

The state government is advise not to relocate the Ken Sarowiwa Polytechnic from bori community, if at all there is any  plan to do, so it should be shelve due to the economic contribution of the institution to the community,  the state and the perfect setting and atmosphere enjoyed by the institution in her present location (Bori community) .

The police is strongly advice henceforth not to use live ammunition but rubber bullet in dispersing student protest to avert re occurrence of such UNIPORT extra judicial killing.

All institutions heads in the state are advice to desist from imposition of policy implementation.  They are strongly advice to subject their policies to public hearing (institution community) to sample reactions before full implementation.

More security checking points and surveillance are recommend to be mount in Bori community to cub free movement of ammunition by assassinator as the lack of security check in the community aids the evil act of criminals and free movement of arms.

The state government and the institutions of the respective victims of the assassination (political and extra judicial killing) should facilitate compensation for the families of the deceased.

The state Government is advice to summon all encompassing security submit in the state to reinstall lasting peace and order as well develop modalities to retrieve illegal possession of fire arms which must have been caused by the thuggery engagement during last General Election.

CONCLUSION

we are optimistic that this above recommendation if properly implemented shall address the security challenges facing the student communities in Rivers State as well renew the face of security of life and property in Rivers State as a whole.

Signed                                                                                                                    
Amb. S A Lukman
Committee Chairman/Regional President  WAPSU

Comr. A O OBADA
Committee Secretary/ Nationals President NIDSUG

Comr. Olugbode Damola
Committee PRO/National PRO NAPS
           

CC:
The Executive Governor Rivers State
DG DSS HQ ABUJA
SDS RIVERS STATE COMMAND
CP NPF RIVERS STATE
RECTOR RIVPOLY BORI
VC UNIPORT

FAAN RECRUITMENT SCANDAL: OUR POSITION

"The man died in him who keeps mute in the face of the tyranny" (Wole Soyinka)

The attention of our leadership as been drawn to the concluded yet unconcluded recruitment exercise of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria that began in February 2015 and was concluded in march 2015, where 725 candidates were shortlisted upon successful completion of the rigorous process of the recruitment exercise. The list of successful candidates was published online on www.faanrecruitment.com with a note that all selected candidates are to present themselves for documentation and further processing at the FAAN headquarters Lagos on a later to be notified date.

However, a year now after the recruitment exercise was concluded there has been no official update concerning the status of recruitment despite the issuance of certificate of compliance to FAAN by Federal Character Commission validating the recruitment process to have satisfy the provision and position of the constitution governing such exercise, this which enables the release of appointment letters to successful candidates by recruiting MDA within three (3) months ultimatum.

It is most unfortunate that the agency have subjected the candidates to unpleasant rumours that only the influential one have gotten and will only get appointment letters, dashing the hopes of a commoner that most of the applicants belong. Its view that the unnecessary delay in issuance of appointment letters is a trick to shortchange the original successful selected candidates for the wards of political Elites in the country  which is an act of corruption this current federal government administration is fighting against.

Injustice anywhere remains a threat to justice everywhere. Being students of higher leaning, full with hopes to graduate soon to join our colleagues in the labour market, the recruitment scandal of FAAN is an act capable to killing the morale of students, hope of common Graduates and thereby inflate crime rate in the country.

We contend it is a plan and deliberate act to frustrate  and sabotage the efforts His Excellency President Muhamnadu Buhari GCFR administration to succeed in his quest to provides jobs and fight out corruption, for what could be the sole reason for an exercise largely completed as this to be put on hold for mere issuance of appointment letters if not "corruption".

On the Superficial level power emanates from the barrel of the gun, but on the fundamental level power erupts from the supreme will of the people. It is in the interest of the management of FAAN to realize that they include among the revolting system that Nigerian students are fighting against as we shall mobilize to demand Justice come to play since they refuse doing Justice at will.

We demand the immediate issuance of appointment letters to all successful candidates or the immediate/voluntary resignation  of the Director General Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria FAAN Headquarters for a more competent hand to take over. We solemnly declare our total commitment to actualize this justice. we will match in millions to peacefully occupy the FAAN headquarters Lagos if our demand is not met between now and 7 working days.  Which elapse on Monday 18th April 2016 to demand the "positive effect of change"

Signed
Comrade Olugbode Damola 
NAPS PRO

Amb S A Lukman
President West Africa Polytechnic Student's Union WAPSU

Cc: DG Dss Abuja
SDS Lagos state command
CP NPF Lagos Command

DSS AVERTS POLYTECHNIC STUDENTS PLANNED MASS PROTEST AGAINST FEDERAL MEDICAL CENTER EBUTE METTA: OUR STAND

Protocol's

The Nigeria polytechnic student body under the aegis National Association of Polytechnic Student's (NAPS) with the solidarity of West Africa Polytechnic Student's Union (WAPSU) has resolved to engage the management of Federal Medical Center Ebute Meta Lagos confrontational, due to their refusal to yield to our call for the CMD voluntary resignation from office for negligence of duty,  insensitivity and inhuman policies run by the hospital management that resulted to the sudden death of our beloved colleague Miss Dezan M Charity an HND II student of Office Technology Management department of Yaba College of Technology on 12th February 2016.

The hospital refused commencing immediate treatment on late charity as when rushed to the emergency unit of the hospital, insisted on the payment of N47, 000 before treatment of any kind despite being rushed in from the college with the school crested ambulance this which led to the untimely lost of her soul to the cold hand of death. Their refusal to issue the deceased a certificate of death and facilitate compensation to the family further provoked our diplomacy.

It was our well thought decision and arrangement to take over the administrative block of the medical center while the entire management team will be locked out of their respective offices today 24th March 2016 before the intervention and subsequent aversion of the action by the Department  of State Security (DSS) Lagos Sate command. The mass action was at peak of commencement when the DSS intercepted the planned action.

We express confidence in the assurance given to our team by the Director State Services as he directed the re-opening of investigation into the cases and immediate summoning of all parties involved for questioning including Medical Director Yaba Tech,  Doctor on duty on the incident day at FMC and students who accompanied late charity to the center.  He further assured us of justice and facilitation of a round table Dialogue of our team and the hospital authority while the command moderates.

We extend our sincere appreciation to all students, caders and concerned citizens who identifies with us in this struggle and our profound gratitude to the Department of State Service,  headquarters and Lagos command for responsive and proactive measures. We shall not deviate from our core values,  strengthening policy that will inform positive attitudinal changes of public servants toward duties and consideration for student, we shall continue until the best is achieved,

We equally kicked against students signing an open cheque for Yaba Tech authority as required by the management as condition for resumption. "An undertaking of good conduct and acceptance of payment for damages as may be prescribed by management"  this is considered as an open cheque which may not be negotiable after signing,  we therefore demand open declaration of the amount to be paid as damages before signing of such document. We implore our student to remain calm while we further agitates in constructive and diplomatic manner.
Accept our maximum regards.
Aluta Continua. Victoria Ascerta.

Signed

Comr. Olugbode H.Damola
National PRO
National Association of Polytechnic Students (NAPS)

Amb. S A Lukman.
President
West Africa Polytechnic Student's Union (WAPSU)

BEING A POSITION PAPER PRESENTED TO THE COUNCIL OF HEADS OF POLYTECHNICS IN NIGERIA AND COLLEGES OF TECHNOLOGY (COHEADS) BY NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF POLYTECHNIC STUDENT (NAPS) on Wednesday 13th 2016.

Protocol's !!

It is consider a privileged responsibility to address this distinguished council on behalf of the entire Polytechnic students. We have chosen to seize this expensive opportunity to bring into focus certain issues which we consider pertinent to the attainment and sustenance of peace continuous progress and development which we believe is the major yearnings and aspirations of both the students and institution authorities.

With respect to the gathering of council of rector's we deem it fit to make this positions to earn your support for development of our sector.

PARITY AT ENTRY LEVEL INTO TETIARY INSTITUTIONS

The dichotomy between HND and BSC certificates can best be address at entry level through critical examination of entry requirement into the duo institutions. Factually one of the aims of merging University matriculation Examination UME and Monotechnics, Polytechnics and colleges of Education Examination by joint Admission matriculation board JAMB was to aid an end to discrepancy between the two category institutions certificates. The prerequisite for universities are more strict compare to that of polytechnics, where JAMB cut off marks is maintained at standard of 200, 220 or even more for special courses by the heads of this institutions (VCs) while the compromission of the cut off for Polytechnic by heads (Rectors) to the drop of cut off marks to 180, 150 in quest of population and others is not good enough nor helpful for the ongoing agitation for an end to dichotomy.                                 We therefore appeal for strict adherence for parity at entry level for both University and Polytechnic by the Council.

INTERNAL MECHANISM TO ADDRESS SEXUAL HARASSMENTS IN THE POLYTECHNIC SECTOR.

The widespread of sexual harassment in the Nation's campuses of higher institutions has assumed a disgraceful and disheartening dimension. Although it is applicable to tertiary institutions but the rate in Polytechnic is alarming has it was reported on national Daily (punch), a week ago citing the case of Auchi Polytechnic. The intensive spread of the menace throughout the whole country is an indictment on our national moral and discipline decadence. The mysterious aspect of the awesome drama is the application to both sex gender.

Sexwork unfortunate has become a key perquisite to pass courses on most campuses, ladies are to go down to bed with lecturers to have a course pass while guys on the other hand are to arrange Arissto's to do the sexwork or risk coming following year to observe same process. Fear of graduating has sex machines grip females students as education gradually turns sex sentence.

We therefore call for The implementation of internal  mechanism that will protect whistle blowers such as distress numbers, complain boxes, counsel and guidance for students to open up harassment should be in place, preferable anonymously due to fear of victimization and intimidation from reported culprits. Adoption of conference markings or CBT systems to reduce lecturers influence on students success in examination will go a long way capture the menace.

INDEPENDENT DEMOCRATIC STUDENTS UNION GOVERNMENT AND FINANCIAL AUTONOMY FOR NATIONAL Body (NAPS)

The authorities of our institutions still deprive us of democratic students Union government,  which makes meaningful consultation and effective participation in government  policy making difficult for us. Indiscriminate rustication, suspension and expulsion of students leaders still prevail while intermittent closure of our institutions continues as a characteristic feature. Holding to ground of practical experience the student unionism offers students which can be traced to many successful public office holders whom are graduate of campus student unionism in Nigeria Polytechnics and their successful engagement in public service necessitate sustainance of independent student Union government in all Polytechnics. Breeding of students who are academic genius, ideological robots and  political nonentity may not present the sector well.

For effective pursuit of national consciousness, citizenship education and ideological orientation with a view to enhance national unity, relative peace and orderliness on campuses,                 we therefore call for resuscitation of all banned student union government across board by  School authorities, however needs to to do more to sustained democratic students unionism without interference into it's operations and giving it necessary supports to build future leaders with leadership skills and knowledge of governance which is not obtainable in class as it is not contained in the curriculum.

Students Union Government of all polytechnics are bound by the constitution of NAPS to pay capitation due (Annual Due) as member unions, like every other association and Union The failure of most unions to fulfill this obligation as incapacitates the National body NAPS financially subjecting her to romance of philanthropist for administration running therefore frustrating  the sole aim of establishing an alternate voice for polytechnic students.           We thereby request heads of institution consent to influence the direct remittance of this said due N200,000 directly into national body account since all institutions collects SUG due together with school fees and operates TSA

POLYTECHNIC STAKEHOLDERS CONFERENCE

Lunching a rescue mission into our educational sector from total collapse becomes imperative, as standards depart our core discipline, deviation from practical orientation and technical knowledge. Appraising the polytechnic sector through a stakeholder meeting to collectively identify challenges facing the sector, harmonize positions and push for implementation together at necessary quarters now becomes mandatory.

The Incessant Industrial actions, students unrest, cult clashes, etc. paralyze academic activities and calendars inform the need for stakeholder conference, critical examinations to ensure internal mechanism arrest is develop to arrest frivolous intermittent closure of our campuses.

Numerous favorable Federal Government panel reports for the upgrade of polytechnic to degree awarding status and removal of HND/BSc dichotomy without implementation calls for review, harmonization, joint implementation efforts. We therefore propose all encompassing stakeholders conference to includes NAPS, WAPSU, ASUP, NASU, SSANIP,  COHEADS, COFEPR,  NBTE, FME and office of National Security Adviser to Presidency To harness uniform provisions of adequate facilities, massive media campaigns, rallies, Lecture boycotts, symposium, positions presentations and individual efforts all towards actualising degree awarding status for Polytechnics.                 

ESTABLISHMENT OF COMMERCIAL TECHNICAL WORKSHOPS IN ALL POLYTECHNICS                       

The Polytechnic is at verge of losing her core value and identity as master producer of technologist in the country,  the introduction of entrepreneurship education is not enough to justify the need for professional practical practice for all engineering and sciences department.  It not befitting that Polytechnic authorities   staffs, students and the community members still patronize vulcanizer,  mechanics, electrical, electronic, furniture, tailoring and laboratory centers / workshops for service outside the system despite our foundation on technology.   We therefore recommend establishment of commercial technical workshops and laboratory centers by all Polytechnics which will be the center for industrial attachment for all students to acquired professional practical certificate within 4months as well serve as IGR mechanism for the system where competent technician with sophisticated equipment will be mount.  It is expected to offer all Polytechnics communities and general public a service just as our health facilities does in many Polytechnics today.     We are optimistic that this position will be given adequate consideration for a better and robust technological advancement of dear nation and improve for productivity in Polytechnic sector.    

Comr.  Olugbode Damola
NATIONAL PRO NAPS/ Secretary NAPS TECHNICAL EDUCATION CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE    

Amb.  Salahudeen A Lukman
WAPSU REGIONAL PRESIDENT / Chairman NAPS TECHNICAL EDUCATION CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE.    

Comr.  Owolabi Olaogun Yusuf
NAPS Vice President South West / Member NAPS TECHNICAL EDUCATION CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE

EXCLUSION OF HND HOLDERS IN THE ONGOING IMMIGRATION RECRUITMENT EXERSISE: NAPS POSITION

The reoccurring hypocritical discrimination   against HND certificates in the immigration recruitment exercise is an unjustifiable goof that indicates the unwillingness of the current government to end the dichotomy between HND and BSC certificate. The exclusion of the certificate is gradually becoming a norm that will permanently shelve HND holders from gaining entry in to the immigration service, this we have noticed and shall meets repulsion from the polytechnic students.

Precisely a year ago, the leadership of NAPS was on the demand for the inclusion of HND certificates into the immigration exercise under the then HON minister of interior in the transformation regime, it became a great surprise that the current administration of this change mantra can toll the same discriminatory path to repeat same unjust act. The unaccountable expensive omission of HND certificates in the guise of recruiting junior cadres is frivolous with provision for BSC holder, this we view as a reserve excuse to ease the execution plan.
Having proven the need to review the required recruiting qualification with many documents submitted to necessary quarters with no honour or consideration, it is realized that the immigration recruiting board is arrogating to its self the power of creating unnecessary dichotomy between the HND graduate and BSC graduate in job placement which does not exist in other forces. Is the ministry of interior and the immigration saying there are no placement for HND holders or are they used as an instrument to kill the polytechnic education in Nigeria? One wonders if it is a crime to acquire education through polytechnic institutions and only to come out to be humiliated at the end of all.

The final justifiable justice against unjustifiable injustice is a justifiable injustice, at this stage confrontation is in conformation with the natural law.

We call on the federal government, the ministry of interior and by extension the presidential committee on immigration recruitment exercise to urgently intervene and ensure justice and fairness comes to play in order to avert another national immigration stampede as the armless battalion Nigeria polytechnic student shall not hesitate mobilizing to stamped the recruiting exercise if the recruiting committee fails to capture HND certificates. As freedom is not freely given to the oppressed by the oppressor but has to be demanded.

Signed
Comrade Olugbode Damola (Aluta - Dmode)
NAPS National PRO

NAPS SEEK JUSTICE ON THE DEATH OF YABA COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY STUDENT

BEING THE PREST STATEMENT ISSUED BY NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF POLYTECHNIC STUDENTS (NAPS) ON THE DEATH OF DAZAN MUATIN CHARITY A STUDENT OF YABA COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY. on the 12th February 2016.

Protocol's :

"The future would have no pity for those men who, possessing the exceptional privilege of being able to speak words of the truth to their oppressors, haven taken refuge in an attitude of passivity, of mute indifference and sometimes in cold complicity" (Frantz fanon)

In meditative soreness, we are moaning and mourning the death of our fallen colleague cut down in the prime of her life by the lackadaisical attitudes of some barbaric zombies in human clothing being paid to save life but doing other wise. It is pertinent at this pensive juncture to damn the atrocities perpetrated and may still be perpetrating by heartless health workers on poor and helpless patients, students and citizens of the country.

It is disheartening loosing our young promising colleague to the cold hand of death, due to the insensitivity of authorities toward's the health sector and health workers lacking respect for human life. Probably if DAZAN MUATIN CHARITY was given adequate attention at as when due the story might be different by now. The distress and pressure she was made to undergo before accessing treatment contribute largely to her early death.

It's most unfortunate that nothing in Nigeria is freely access anymore, free medical attention as become a history of the time past, even first aid treatment to a dying patient at a federal medical center cost immediate payment or life of the context. How long do we have to continue loosing our love one's before getting it Right? How many more lives do we have to loose for normality to be restored back to our system?.

YABATECH'S MANAGEMENT STAINED WITH THE BLOOD OF NIGERIA STUDENT

Either good or bad our actions and inactions is like a flame that cannot be erased on planet earth but will surely echo till eternity. From whatever angle we wish to decipher into the ugly incident, the management of Yaba college of technology contribute to the loss of our colleague and share a capital blame in the aftermath reactions of the student.

Unpleasant to the ear that an institution as repute as YABATECH do not have adequate health facilities to cater minor health challenges, experience health workers who could proffer adequate treatment and refer to expertise as at when necessary and most annoying when least expected that test not being carried out before administering drips, drugs and injection to patient.

We demand explanations on why the TINSHIP scheme of the NHIS our students pay for every year does not cater the treatment of Dazan when she needed it most, she was made to lie helpless without treatment because of fund, this NHIS should cater if the management and the HMO do justice to our payment.

THE MEDICAL DIRECTOR OF FMC EBUTE-METTA, A REAGENT OF OCCURENCE.

When conscienceless power meets with powerless conscience the former laugh first while the later laugh last.

The callous decision of the FMC to have shut their ears to the cry of our dying colleague is an act of unprofessionalism, our student with all proof of identification was convey to the centre with school ambulance and still was denied first aid treatment, very unfortunate that medical centre where life should be rescue as become a dungeon of death.

NAPS POSITION
1 The leadership of NAPS has set up a committee to pay a condolence visit to the family of the deceased
2 YABATECH management are advice to make available the refund of all medical levy and insurance due paid back to the student populace or face the wrath of Nigerian student
3 The Chief Medical Director of Federal Medical Centre Ebute-Metta is hereby advice to voluntarily resign on or before 17th of February 2016 or face mass action of armless battalion Nigeria students.
4 The management of FMC Ebute-Metta and YABATECH should make available compensation to the family of the deceased

CONCLUTION

We the leadership of NAPS advice our entire students to remain calm as we take charge to ensure fairness, equity and justice comes to play. The mention authorities Yaba College of Technology and Federal Medical Centre are to strictly comply with the above resolution within 72hrs or contend with the entire student populace as we have resolve to shutdown the two institutions until our demands are meet.

INJUSTICE TO ONE INJUSTICE TO ALL!!!

Signed
Comr Olugbode Damola (Aluta D-mode)
NAPS National PRO.

GAPOSA PROTEST A LIBERTY TAKING FOR LICENSE

"A revolutionary must hold himself responsible and accountable for all his activities hence he has to develop selective reaction to all his actions".

The leadership of National Association of Polytechnic Students (NAPS) share the students anxiety in bluntly rejecting the introduction of payment deadline for school fees after which students would be restricted from gaining access into the school premises, its in no doubt that the current predicament of the nations economy prompted the repelling actions of the student, and their agitation for installmental payment.

We acknowledge our support to the angry students, join them in their agitation as it remains the constitutional responsibility of every Union to consistently protect the legitimate interest of her members, shield them from exploitation, intimidation, victimization, e.t.c. While we condemn in totality the approach at which the Students Union Leaders takes to fight their cause, it is the ideology of students unionism to ensure the avoidance of any protest you cannot reasonably afford, negotiation avenues, dialogues, consultation and consolidations should be exhausted while protest should always be the last resort.

There is no justification for students leaders loosing their morals in the course of discharging their duties for whatsoever reasons, In spite of our grievances and bitterness constructive agitation should be adopted when issues erupts to abolish the arrogations of our struggles by portraying us as the custodians of exuberance and scapegoat of indiscipline. It should be understand that students handbook is the first constitutional guide of all students on campus before reference could be giving to any other guiding books.

Student leaders should desist being partisan to politician and playing scrip with our struggles. Our fact finding mission reveals the conjoining of unionism with politics which is tantamount to nothing but injustice, politicians should follow their parties diligently while unionist should advocate the welfare of their members. Being economical with the truth do us more harm than good.

NAPS express great displeasure in school management embarking on obnoxious rules and regulation, it is our view that such rules are calculatedly design to frustrate students into unholy dealing and a plot to exploit students unnoticed.

We appeal the school authority realizes we are students and that reason they are our managers, we plead the room for resolution is open so we can come back to exist as a family. It became imperative we appeal the Student Union Building should be free from lock and chains as we believe the union as an institution should not be banned because it is the only effective forum through which the students can express their grievances and enhance their welfare. To ban union is to depict fear of checkmate. we implore the authority to forgo any plan to expel, suspend or rusticate any student , we can harmonize our charges to solve our existing communication gaps.

Signed
Comr Olugbode Damola (ALUTA D-MODE)
NAPS PRO

THE HISTORY OF HND DISCRIMINATION: A STORY OF HYPOCRISY

Engineering Education Trails Far Behind All Other Branches In Nigeria, And The First Attempt Whatsoever Made At Grappling With The Challenge Of Modern Technology In The Country Came As A Result Of The Welfare Act Passed By The British Government In 1940. It Was On The Basis’ Of This Act That The Nigerian Ten-Year Technical Education Development Plan Was Formulated In 1944. In 1948, The Yaba Higher College (Started About 1930) Was Broken Up And The Departments Were Transferred To Form The Nucleus Of The University College Ibadan.

What Remained Of The Higher College Was Renamed Yaba Technical Institute To Give Practical Expression To The New Technical Education Development Plan. Technical Education Was Then A Novelty In The Country And The Government Had To Bring Together Various Training Centres Being Run By Public Departments To Form The Yaba Technical Institute. Such Centres Included The Lands And Survey Training Centre Which Started In 1908, Marine In 1928, The P.W.D. In 1931, The Post And Telegraphs Also In 1931 And The Railways In 1942.

Why Did Our Colonial Masters Give Engineering Education A Separate And Distinct Development Plan? Why Was A Faculty Of Engineering Not Introduced Along With Other Disciplines At The Inception Of Ibadan University College? Different People Have Different Ways Of Looking At These Question, But With The Benefit Of A Hindsight, Two Reasons Can Now Be Positively Adduced. In The First Place If The University Of Ibadan Had To Turn Out Graduate Engineers In The Early Fifties, There Would Have Been No Industries To Absorb Such Graduates. Secondly And Most Importantly, However, Such Modus Operandi Would Have To Run Counter To Established British Tradition In The Development Of Education.

In Early Days In Britain, Every Student Engineer Starts His Career By First Receiving A Sound Practical Training Under Factory Conditions, And Progresses Along Professional Ladder Depending On Individual Talent, Intellect And Interest. The Situation Was Such That Nobody Graduated To A Professional Engineer Without Indomitable Bent In The Practicals.

Even After The Second World War, Britain Adopted Massive Training Of Engineering Personnel Through Full-Time, Part-Time Evening/Day Release Courses In Technical Colleges To Make-Up For Shortage Of Manpower In Engineering Industries Leading To ONC/OND Qualifications In Engineering With Sound Practical Know-How. The British Track Of Development Was Undoubtedly What Our Colonial Masters Envisaged In Their Ten-Year Technical Education Progranmme For Nigeria. Certainly, In Ten Years, With Little Attention, The Yaba Technical Institute Would Have Been Ripe Enough To Turn Out Its First Batch Of Authentic Nigerian Engineers Trained To The 1st Degree Level While At The Same Time Providing Enough Manpower At The Middle-Level Cadre. This Is In Fact The Practice In Britain And Throughout Europe.

However, In The Nigerian History, Which Is Now Being Reviewed, Partly Because Our Colonial Masters Saw Africa Foremost As Raw Materials Workshop, And Partly Due To Our Own Defective Sense Of Appreciation. Technical Education Was Never Developed In Nigeria.

Yaba Technical Institute Was Allowed To Suffer A Slow And Emaciated Growth. Ten Years Went By, But Nothing Was Again Heard Of The Ten-Year Development Plan. The Attitude Ran Through A Span Of Almost One And Half Decades, And Up To The Dawn Of Our Independence.

Immediately, After Independence A Floodgate Of University Campuses Was Thrown Open, With The University Of Lagos Coming Into Existence By An Act Of Parliament In 1960. Nsukka, Ahmadu Bello University And Ife Followed In Quick Succession. Nigerians Had Known The Pride Of Wearing Academic Robe In Law And Theology But They Seemed To Have Totally Forgotten That In Engineering, The Hood Does Not Make The Monk.

Indeed, All The Universities Came Up With Facilities In Engineering, Thus Bringing An Upsurge Of Entrants Into Engineering Profession At The Graduate Level. Two Things Had Immediately Gone Wrong. In Less Than Ten Years After Independence, The Nation Was Already Filled With Graduate Engineers Who Were In Actual Fact No More Than Science Boys - Because In The Words Of Professor Terry, “Nobody Ever Learnt Engineering From A Book Anymore Than That A Person Ever Acquired The Art Of Swimming Or Bicycling Theoretically In An Armchair”.

Second Wrong Thing Was The Irony Of Building A House From Roof Top. As It Were, Nigeria Had Succeeded In Building An Economy With The Apex Of Technical Manpower Cadre Overcrowded, And The Middle Level None-Existent. Soon, Questions Were Being Raised About The Quality Of Locally Trained Engineers, While The Dearth Of Middle Level Manpower Was Embarrassingly Acute.

Government Started Looking For Solutions. Everybody Knew Quite Well That Solution Lies In Restructuring Our System Of Engineering Education; But From Where Do We Start? Suddenly, It Appeared The Policy Makers Decided That The Solutions Start And End With Restructuring The Old Yaba Technical Institute But Which Had By 1963 Metamorphosed Into Yaba College Of Technology. Many Reasons Were Advanced:-

Firstly, Records Showed That The Yaba Technical Institute At Its Inauguration In 1948 Was Intended To Produce The Middle Level Man-Power Requirements Of The Country. The First Solution To Solving The Problem Of Middle Level Manpower Shortage Therefore Is To Keep ‘Yaba’ Well Within Its Defined Objectives Of Over 30 Years Back.

This View Was Sold To Government, And It Was Generously Accepted. There Seemed To Be No Single Person To Recall That A Ten-Year Technical Education Development Plan Should At The Close Of The Planned Period Be Able To Produce Very High Level Technological Manpower.

Secondly, Having Regards To The Nation’s Poor Technological Performance, The Source Was Almost Certainly Traced Again To The College Of Technology Curriculum. Various Papers Were Presented To Show That Yaba Boys Were Doing Too Much Theory. This Has To Be Cut To Size While Emphasis Must Be On The Practical Skills.

The Arguments Were As Maliciously Unsound As They Were Curiously Illogical, But Yet They Held Sway. In Retrospect, It Would Seem So Strange That In All This, The University Engineering Curriculum Was Left Severely Alone. In The Ostensible Quest For Solution To Acute Shortage Of Middle Level Manpower, Hilarious And Rather Effective Propaganda Was Mounted To Ensure That All Products Of Yaba College Of Technology At Whatever Level Were Tagged Middle-Level Manpower.

Technology Students Stood Against All The Onslaught. Very Bold And Daring Attacks Were Actually Launched To Destroy The New Enviable Status Of The Institution, But It Was Like Trying To Obliterate Mounts Olympus From The Surface Of The Earth - For The 1968 College Of Technology Graduates Are Definitely Not The Same As The 1948 Pioneers; Not Only Have They Now The Right Training, But Theirs Is A Professional Struggle And They Have Fought It To The Surface.

Indeed, Technological Education Had Already Taken A Firm And Solid Shape In Nigeria. The Old Yaba Technical Institute Has Yielded Place To Technical Colleges As The Main Centres For The Production Of Middle-Level Manpower; And It Equally Turns Out A Cream Of Ordinary Diploma Graduates In The Middle Level Cadre. The Higher Diploma Which Is Now The Highest Qualification Being Awarded Had Been Hard Worn And The Battle To Retain And Enhance It Continues Till This Day.

It Has To Be Recalled That The Renaming Of Yaba Technical Institute As Yaba College Of Technology In 1963 Was Itself Not Done Until A Very Hot Students’ Agitation. The Renaming Brought In Its Wake The Enrolment Of Students For The Higher Technician Diploma Of The City And Guilds Of London.

Still In Research Of Progress, Yaba Students Went On Strike Again In 1969 Calling For The Abrogation Of The Higher Technician Diploma And Autonomy For The College. In July 1969, Decree No. 23 Was Promulgated After Students’ Agitation Which Necessitated Shutting Down The Institution For Five Weeks! The Old Technical Institute Has At Last Graduated Into Motherhood.

Section 1 (A) Of Decree 23 Of July 1969 States:-
“To Provide Courses Of Instruction, Training And RESEARCH In Applied Science, Technology, Commerce, Management, And Such Other Field Of Learning As The Council May From Time To Time Determine”.

A Comparison Of Decree 23 Of 1969 Which Re-Established The Yaba College Of Technology With The University Of Lagos Decree 3 Of 1967 Is Quite Revealing:-
1 (3) The Objects Of The University Shall Be:-
1 (3) (B) “To Provide Courses Of Instruction And Other Facilities For The Pursuit Of Learning In All Its Branches, And To Make Those Facilities Available On Proper Terms To Such Persons As Are Equipped To Benefit From Them”.
1 (3) (C) “To Encourage, Promote And Conduct Research In All Fields Of Learning And Human Endeavor”

The Decree 23 Of 1969 Was Nothing But A Fulfillment Of The Philosophy That Gave Birth To Polytechnic Education The World Over And It Was Indicative Of The Level Of Technological Development In Post-Independence Nigeria.

In The Early 70’S, Many Of The Product Of Yaba College Of Technology Graduated With H.N.D. Certificates Were Accepted And Worked In Companies As Engineers. In Those Days Also After The Nigerian Civil War, Developments Was Going On In All Aspects Of The Nation’s Economy, And As Such, The Early Professional Returnees From The U.K. And Other Oversea Countries Established Consultancy Firms In The Country With H.N.D. /H.N.C. Holders From The U.K. And Yaba College Of Technology Employed In Their Firms As Engineers, And Were Performing Creditably Well.

Soon After, Council Of Registered Engineers Of Nigeria (COREN) Was Established, And Was Then Strongly Believed It Was Through The Assistance Of Members Of Nigerian Society Of Engineers. This Belief Was Soon Confirmed When COREN Decree Of 1970 Was Obtained, With Newspaper Publications Coupled With Direct Letters To Government Ministries And Companies, Limiting Only Holders Of B.Sc. Qualifications To Be Employed As Engineers.

That Action Was Seen As Discriminations Against Graduates Of Colleges Of Technology And Polytechnics.

NAPS CONDEMN HND DISCRIMINATION
NAPS DEMAND NATIONAL POLYTECHNICS COMMISSION
NAPS CALLS FOR PARITY OF HND AND BSC HOLDERS