ASUP WARNING STRIKE: THE NEED FOR A REFORMED POLYTECHNIC EDUCATION IN NIGERIA

Polytechnic education remains the pivot of technological advancement in Nigeria.

All machineries in place to suspend academic activities on all polytechnic campuses across the country from 30^th  January, 2017 by ASUP in a protest to the nonpayment of staff salaries in most state institutions, non implementation of the needs assessment report 2014, non removal of entry dichotomy between HND and degrees, non review of polytechnic act, victimization of union officials, and non release of check off dues among other reasons, confirms  the unending hypocritical disposition of the federal government towards polytechnic education in Nigeria.

Lack of passion towards the advancement of polytechnic education best describes the deaf ears turned to the genuine agitation of the staff union by federal government despite the severity of the issues raised. Expiration of the one month ultimatum issued by the union to draw the government attention to issues at hand not yielding a serious commitment further reveals the attempt of the federal government to deliberately expose Nigerian students to the danger of idleness.  

Record shows that the attention polytechnic education enjoys is far beneath that of the university counterpart which is solely responsible for the infrastructural decay, low academic standard, obsolete facilities, etc, witness in polytechnic sector. Federal government should learn to take polytechnic education serious, and stop playing kite with the future of polytechnic students. Attention should be spread evenly across all tertiary institutions, technological education should be given adequate investment to grow, and our polytechnics should be reformed.

When elephants fight, the grass bears the consequence, we the students stand at the receiving end of the strike. Nigeria students will no longer give chances for our carrier and future to be put on hold for any reason whatsoever, we are yet to recover from the 2012/ 2013 strike which paralysis a whole academic calendar. We request the federal government meet up with the demands of our lecturers and make them see reasons to return back to class before 72hrs which lapses on 1^st February 2017 or we commence mobilization to shut down all federal roads passing through our school gate.

However, our lecturers should not be carpenters who see every problem as nails, industrial actions should not be the approach to all issues, a more diplomatic approach should be melted out to resolve issues with the government when need arises. We understand the genuity of the struggle but appeals the lecturers return to class why negotiation continues. Our future is at stake, our carrier is fading, and we don’t want to idle away, please hear the cry of your students.

Signed:

Comr. Olugbode Damola H

NAPS National PRO

(08068360731)

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

NAPS SETS TO HARMONISE OGITECH CRISIS

BEING THE PRESS TEXT DELIVERED BY THE LEADERSHIP OF NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF POLYTECHNIC STUDENTS NAPS. ON THE OCCASION OF PRESS CONFERENCE ADDRESSING THE CRISIS ROCKING OGUN STATE INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY IGBESA HELD AT NUJ HOUSE IWEROYIN ABEOKUTA.

Whether our action is wholesome or unwholesome depends on whether that action or deed arises from a disciplined or undisciplined state of mind. It is felt that a disciplined mind leads to happiness and an undisciplined mind leads to suffering, and in fact it is said that bringing about discipline within one's mind is the essence of the saints teaching.

It's pathetic and very unfortunate that politicians have penetrated into the porosity of student politics, unionism and activism that much, that every genuine struggle of the students are seen as a golden opportunity to strike opponents a shot.

Virtually no angle records joy over disagreement of students and institutions authority degenerating into vandalism, malicious mischief, brutality, viciousness and campus closure.

THE HIJACK OF OGUN STATE INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY IGBESA STUDENTS STRUGGLE
Its quite unfortunate that rather than finding progressive prescription for the quandary of the unwillingness of the school management to conduct Student Union Election, the students loose guided to unscrupulous elements that birthed unprincipled actions of destroying and vandalising the school property.

The repairable and irreparable damages brought down on the school by protest hijackers remains a capital loss of battle stands and property to the students, we remain the recipient that absorbs more of the consequences of the struggle, as well the highest price payer in the sector.

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.

THE AUTHORITIES OF OGUN STATE INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY IGBESA A REAGENT
We tends to lose the moral ground to fault the school management over the ugly incident, still experience shows that fire burns! A goat does not bite except when pushed to the wall. Let us all accept that the angry students reacted in opposition to the action of the school management.

How we wish we have  maintained and still could promise you a crisis-free session. But this will be tantamount to predicting the unpredictable human nature of man. We argue that students and their institution authorities have more in common to prosecute if only they appreciate and if only both of us can lift our "mortal siege".

NAPS POSITION
The leadership of National Association of Polytechnic Students condemns without any reservation, the unpatriotic act of conjoining hooliganism and gangsterism with unionism.

Student unionism is different from politics, the combination of both is nothing but indiscipline and injustice. We use this medium to sound a strong waning to all politician who see joy in using students as destructive machinations and prefers scoring political point through students struggles. We have identified and gladly they identify themselves, we promise to confront and pay in their coin whenever such comes into play again.

We advice the indigenes of Igbesa to desist partaking in actions capable of destroying the only state institution situated in yewa region of Ogun state, remember soldiers goes soldiers come barracks remain intact.

He who fight and run live to fight another day, we reach out to our fellow students to give up on battle, give way for negotiations and be willing to embrace peace, victory can alway be ascertain on round table provided we are ready to shift ground for each other.

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 seek the release of all arrested students and 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.

The leadership of NAPS has set up a conflict resolution committee saddle with the responsibility of meeting students stakeholders, management of the school and facilitating a resolutions meeting to harmonize both parties.

Signed
Comr Olugbode Damola .H
NAPS National PRO