ON UI SU CONGRESS: "Resign if you cannot take the bold step..."- Student




By Crystal

 On Thursday, August 15th, 2024, the University of Ibadan Student Union (UI SU) released a memo stating that there would be a congress meeting on Saturday, August 17th, 2024, at 7:00 AM. 

However, on Saturday, August 17th, 2024, the meeting, which was supposed to start at 7:00 AM, did not commence on time. At 8:45 AM, UI SU President Bolaji Aweda addressed the students, informing them that the meeting would only begin once the student attendance reached a minimum of 500. 

By 11:15 AM, a large number of students had arrived, many of whom were 100-level students coming from a GES 107 test. While waiting, students expressed their frustrations, stating that many had lost faith in the Student Union’s ability to mediate between them and the Vice Chancellor to reduce the school fees. 

The congress finally began at 11:43 AM with President Bolaji Aweda leading the students in a song titled “Victory is for Us.” He then announced that the UI board would release a new deadline for the payment of school fees, after considering whether or not they would be reduced. Following this, he introduced the Speaker, Matthew, to address the students, stating that there would be an opportunity for students to ask questions. 

The first student to ask a question was Bamidele. He insisted that the President should apologize to the students for the late start of the congress, arguing that if the SU had mobilized and raised proper awareness, students would have arrived at the venue earlier. Bamidele also inquired about the situation of students who had already paid their school fees before the intervention of the UI Nigeria Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), asking what would be done about the excess fees. President Bolaji Aweda responded by explaining that he was given permission to hold the congress only 48 hours before the scheduled date, which limited the time available for awareness efforts. He also assured Bamidele that any excess school fees would be refunded to the students' personal accounts. 

Another student, Olamilekan, raised concerns that some lecturers were insisting that students who had not completed their course registration would not have their test scores recorded, and that course registration could only be completed after the school fees had been paid. He also questioned why the SU had promoted the UI Nigeria Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) to the students, and challenged the President and other executives to stand up and address the students. The President responded by saying that he would work to prevent lecturers from forcing students to pay their school fees before registering for courses. Furthermore, he denied promoting NELFUND or any student loan to the students, stating that he had merely mentioned that the Federal Government had helped some students pay their school fees. He also addressed the issue of seating, advising students to find a suitable place to sit as some students were already seated. 

During the congress, there was a noticeable unity and support between the past and present SU governments. However, tensions arose when a student named Tunji accused the President of incompetence for failing to proactively chart the course for a reduction in the school fees, suggesting that he should resign if he could not take decisive action. This led to a serious argument, with members of the past SU government defending the current President, telling Tunji that if he had ever been in the President's position, he would understand that they were trying their best. 

After the back-and-forth, the students selected a representative named Oyindamola to state what they wanted the outcome of the congress to be. The students demanded assurances that they would not be threatened by lecturers to pay their school fees because of tests, requested that excess school fees be refunded, and asked that course registration be allowed without the payment of school fees. They also stated that if the UI SU failed to issue a positive memo addressing these demands within three working days, the SU government should resign. The SU government agreed to these terms. 

When the students requested a commitment to a protest, the President did not respond. Instead, he closed the meeting at 1:30 PM and walked out, leaving the students without an answer regarding the proposed protest. 

Following the congress, the Union released the resolution below:

       

1. The union should request a memo directing all departments and 

faculties to halt the request for registration forms until the issue of school 

fees is resolved. 

2. The union should consider courses and practicals where a school fees 

receipt is required and request a directive to halt the request for 

registration forms for tests and practicals until the issue of school fees is 

resolved. 

3. All issues regarding the school fee should be resolved within the next 3 

working days,after which the next line of action should be taken. 

4. The union remains resolute in its stance that students should refrain 

from paying school fees until the fees are resolved. 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

BREAKING: FACULTY OF THE SOCIAL SCIENCES MOURNS LECTURER, SUSPENDS ALL ACTIVITIES FOR THE WEEK

Image
  By Emmanuel Akinwale The Faculty of the Social Sciences has today, 8th October released a memorandum announcing the suspension of all academic and administrative activities within the f aculty , following the untimely passing of Professor Ifeanyi Onyeonoru , a respected lecturer in the Department of Sociology and Head of the Employment Relations and Human Resource Management Unit.   The devastating news confirmed by FATSSSA Press correspondent stated that Professor Ifeanyi Onyeonoru passed away in the early hours of October 7, 2024, at Jaja Clinic during a brief illnes. The esteemable Professor is said to have contributed significantly to the academic repository of the Faculty and most importantly, his Department with his repertoire of knowledge. In a memorandum signed by the Dean of the Faculty, Professor Ehigie , the Dean of the Faculty expressed deep sorrow over the loss, stating:   " This is to inform members of the Faculty that Lectures and other official activi...
Read more

EXCLUSIVE: FATSSSAite Makes Faculty Proud as she Emerges First runner-Up in a National Policy Challenge

Image
By Emmanuel Akinwale Gloria Popoola, a 400-level student of the Department of Political Science, has emerged as the first runner-up in the 2024 AESP ( African Economic Scholars Program ) National Policy Challenge sponsored by the Office of the Special Assistant to the President on Leadership and Citizenship and Policy Innovation Centre. The African Economic Scholars Program (AESP) is an initiative designed to build the next generation of African policymakers by exposing scholars to innovative tools and training.  The National Policy Challenge sought to identify the best policy strategies for the Nigerian Federation in two areas: Gender equity and Climate change. Applicants were expected to engage in thorough research and produce unique and original policies on either of these areas. From the overwhelming number of policy papers in applications received, the top 10 were selected to present and defend their policy strategies and from this top 10, 3 winners were selected. Gloria’s ent...
Read more

Two Mariams, One Stage: JJ Classics Production Casts Sociology Sophomore, Osaremeh Ijebor, Opposite Veteran Thespian

Image
  Ijebor’s presence on stage will inevitably invite comparisons with Temi Agoro. While Agoro has the formal thespian training to boost her performance, Ijebor’s approach to the role may be done simply with outsider instincts and adaptability. AUTHOR: Eniola Awolesi K. At University of Ibadan’s Theatre Arts department, the theatre and its stagecraft-art are seen as a profession, and more than that, a heritage. So in casting decisions, the casting of a non-thespian in a major role is about as rare as a honest politician. Yet, this year’s ambitious theatrical performance by JJ Classics Production of SANKARA has done just that. A sociology sophomore by academic discipline, the spotlight has fallen on Osaremeh Ijebor as a frontline actor playing the requisite role of Mariam Sankara, wife of the revolutionary leader of Burkina Faso. Of the 13 actors that make up the mainstage and student show cast, Ijebor is the only non-thespian. As a cast in the student show, she will be shadowing main...
Read more