UNILAG STUDENTS HAVE TO ENSURE ULSU IS NOT DISSOLVED

Today, I decided to check the University of Lagos website and for updates about resumption. It is no longer news that full academic activities are to be resumed on May 2 and exams commence May 9 which happens to be exactly one week after resumption.

 Lo and behold, I come across an acrimonious statement released by the school regarding the role of the University of Lagos Student Union (ULSU) in the infamous protest that led to the temporal closure of the school.

In the statement, the school authority claim to have dissolved ULSU. “The University of Lagos Student Union (ULSU) Constitution should be suspended until further notice. The ULSU Executive and the Student Legislative Council should be dissolved forthwith,” the statement released on Saturday stated. 

“Faculty and Departmental Associations should work with the University Management through the Students’ Affairs Division in the interim.

“ULSU Constitution should be reviewed to include conflict resolution mechanisms such as establishment of Judicial Arm and Financial Guidelines, which shall be the prelude to subsequent elections into ULSU offices.” the statement released on Saturday stated.

After reading the despotic statement, I finally realized why University of Lagos didn't have a Student's Union for about 10 years. I deduced that the management of the school do not want anyone disputing their decisions which makes them impose some uncomfortable ideas on students. I haven't stopped wondering why the Vice-Chancellor, Rahmon Ade Bello, who completed his first degree at the great Obafemi Awolowo University which is one of the school's in Nigeria with the most powerful Students' union, chose to be a party to such a tyrannical decision. 

The circular also states that “The University will endeavour to provide electricity in the various halls of residence between the hours of 7.00 pm and 7.00 am daily. The boreholes in the hostels will continue to provide water supply to the hostels until normal supply from the Lagos State Water Corporation resumes.” 

12 hrs of electricity supply is never enough for a student especially during examinations period, but at this desperate time, the last thing we want to do is complain.

The school decided to include in the statement an Indemnity form which is to be filled by  every Parents/guardians as well as the students before the student would be allowed entry into any hall of residence.
That is what got on my nerves. How could they despotically ask us to sign the form. For Christ's sake we are not High School students or Covenant students (no disrespect to Covenant University Students), we are Akokites who had to study extremely hard just to pass Post-UTME and are studying even harder to to maintain such status. We know our rights and won't be blustered about by anyone not even the school management.
We must stand by ULSU and fight(not physically) that the Union is not dissolved so students could keep having a voice.

#IStandByULSU. You should too.

I HAVE FINALLY DECIDED TO BREAK MY SILENCE ON THE CURRENT STATE OF UNILAG

Over the past couple of weeks, I have received phone calls and e-mails from readers urging me to comment on the current happenings at the University of Lagos. I had earlier promised myself not to make any comment but these persistent messages have compelled me to speak out.

As a proud Akokite, i had promised myself not to make public the shortcomings of the University of first choice, It is quite unfortunate that we have decided to wash our dirty linen in public. Many of us have been sharing the story all over the place. Some gullible student have even spread pictures of our wonderful ladies, climbing the gates and walking through the shallow canal just to get out of school.

Not forgetting the main issue at hand, I strongly stand by the University of Lagos students Union (ULSU), even though I do not support all their actions. For a long time, the school management have been treating students unfairly and someone had to stand up and speak, which ULSU, the rightful body did.

Accommodation has always been a major problem in Unilag especially for the males. As at last session, Unilag had 6 male hostels and & female hostels functioning. This session, the male hostels available are only 4. The legendary Shodeinde Hall is under renovation and El-Kanemi is under re-construction These hostels officially accommodate just about 25% of students which is a very low number, but with the addition of squatters, it rises to about 60%. The hostels are usually over congested. This congestion leads to in-conducive environments for students. Most of the rooms accommodate students that drastically outnumber the bed spaces. For example, King Jaja hall has a room fondly called "Maracana" which is supposed to accommodate 8 students, but this room accommodates over 30 students. Hostels with 8-man rooms eg El-Kanemi, Biobaku have it the worst. This over-congestion was the reason for the massive spread of bed bugs last session. Imagine a room of 20 students , and one student gets infected with measles, there is a high chance that at least 50% of his/her roommates would have contact it. Please do not misinterpret me, I'm am definitely not against squatting. I just want the management to provide more conducive halls of residence for students.

Another serious issue is power supply. Power supply this session has deteriorated drastically. I understand that its the same way around the country, but the school should have enough generators to ensure constant power for students because power is highly essential, after all the school generates billions yearly. The power distribution is very poor on campus. For example sometimes during the day, Jaja hall would be without light but Red Bricks would be with light! Make me wonder whose priorities the management put first, Students or traders

To cut long story short, I stand by ULSU and urge them to sit with the management and make proper dialogue, give realistic ultimatums and not hope on empty promises

#ISTANDBYULSU