*Some writers views*
*copied*
Its no doubt that the Enugu/Professional Campus
of the University of Nigeria(UNEC), seems to be a
small fraction of Enugu State, No wonder its
always Forgotten, and the problems and
Challenges of her Members ignored, until its time
for another Election!
WHAT IS NOW THE BURNING BUSH AT UNEC:
Let's Summarize the Story!
On the 6th of June, 2016, Students of the
University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus, Under the
student Union, embarked on a 1-Week Sit at
Home/Hostel strike action to protest their
displeasure at the Outrageous power situation in
the University, especially, with regards to the
Broken Down University Generator, which provide
power for only 2 HOURS in a day of 24 Hours, a
situation which they have managed to endure for
a period of 2 Months(the entire semester), and
running into Exams.
At the End of the 1 week Industrial action, and
Monday morning demonstration, the Student
Union and the School Authorities after a closed
door dialogue on Monday, 13th June, came to an
agreement that;
1. The University would provide a new 1500 KVA
generator, Valued at N50 Million.
2. Pending the arrival of the new generator, the
works department of the University, in charge of
handling the affairs of the generator would
increase the duration of power supply to 2hrs 30
mins in a day of 24 hours.
The Student Union accepted this, particularly,
after evaluating the recent nature of the nation's
declining economy, and as such Called off her Sit
at home strike, and announced the
commencement of lectures immediately.
On the same night, the generator whose duration
has been extended to last for 2hrs 30mins was
unexplainably turned off from the first batch of
hostels after barely 45 mins by those in charge of
it, and moved to serve the other batch of hostels.
The reason or expectation for this action has not
been known till date.
On the same night, it was gathered that a number
of unknown individuals took it upon themselves to
protest the event (turning off the gen), and this
blind action led to the removal of a number of
streetlights, as well as damages to Window
glasses of buildings and Some Vehicles, an event
which was condemned by all and Sundry,
including the Varsity management and the
Student Union Government.
Expectedly, the next day, the Management had a
brief meeting, which ended in the;
1. Indefinite Closure of the Enugu Campus
2. Unexpected Suspension of the Student Union.
BACK TO PRESENT DAY, THE BURNING BUSH
AND WHY WE ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES:
The University management at her last Senate
Meeting on Monday, 25th July(42 days later),
agreed that
1. The Enugu Campus of the University(which
houses about 12,000 students), would commence
activities on the 8th of August(2 months after),
2. Each and every student of the Campus would
pay a reparation Fee of N10,000( totaling N120
Million), though N10,900 on portal(total:
N130,800,000).
The procedure for payment of this fee has begun
and the portals has been opened for that.
Now, if this was to happen in an institution in the
APC led western states(which can't even
happen), the Members and Senators who were
elected, not selected, to represent them, would
stand up at this time when they are needed by
the minority, to SPEAK for them and condemn this
Injustice.
An example can be drawn from the recent Crisis
at the Obafemi Awolowo University, OAU Ile-Ife,
which was closed down for sometime over
management tussles. The students of the
Institution contacted their representative in the
senate, and the Senator representing the
Constituency, Senator Babajide Omoworare and
Senate President, Senator Bukola Saraki, both of
the APC, brought it up in the senate house
plenary sessions and the crisis(administrative in
nature), was resolved(in less than a week) and
the Federal Government gave an order that the
University management conduct an election for an
Acting Vice Chancellor. The order led to the
emergence of a Professor of Pharmacy as the
Acting Vice Chancellor and resumption was
announced immediately.
If we check properly, in this region(enclosing
UNEC, and speaking for UNEC students), we have,
representing us, able PDP senators, led by our
very own Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike
Ekweremadu, who were elected and not selected,
to voice out our concerns, oppressions and
injustice at the federal level in the house of the
senate. Now is the time for our senators to show
us that we made the right decision by electing
them, for moments like this.
It is unfair and a grave injustice that students of
UNEC would be expected to pay a reparation fee
of N10,900 under the watchful eyes of our PDP
senators, which is just about the school fees of a
newly admitted student at the University of Ilorin
(N13,800 for medicine), and we say that we are
being properly represented.
Having been an active and passionate supporter
of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP), and
haven't had any need to ask anything of them, I
would want our senators to justify the trust we
place on them in this time of need.
The students of UNEC cannot and should not be
used to purchase 2 generators(for Nsukka and
Enugu Campus) at N50million each among other
items, by charging them a reparation fee totaling
in excess of N100 million for damages below
N10million while at the same time silencing the
student Union by suspending them, so the
student would have no voice in matters that
concern them. Justice should be done, and if
reparation fee be paid, should not exceed
N2,000(totalling N20-24 million). We put our
trust at this time on our PDP senators to come to
the need of the members of their constituency
who voted them, in their time of need.
Having been an active supporter of the PDP, we
would have no choice but to follow the path of
our democrat, and Ex-president Chief Olusegun
Obasanjo in tearing our membership cards, if our
PDP representatives should fail us at this time of
Need.
What is good for the Students of the west is also
good for the east
Injustice is injustice irrespective of region, tribe,
class or religion.
God bless the Students of the Enugu Campus of
the University of Nigeria
God bless the Minority and Oppressed Youths Of
the South East.
God bless Our Senators
God Bless Nigeria