*Being a Public Statement Released by Comrade Yusuf Nurudeen Alowonle (OmOmeewa) Presidential Candidate at the LASUSU election 18/19 and Convener Movement For a Sustainable LASUSU on the election results released by the LASUSU IEC 18/19 for the inconclusive LASUSU election.*

Great Lasuites,
Articulate Lasuites,
Members of the students press and public media.

A new history has been created in the history of our dear Union and its electoral process. Our election process was declared inconclusive by the LASUSU IEC & a re-run is required before a winner can emerge.


The decision to declare the election as inconclusive by the IEC was hinged on the frustration the election exercise experienced and the security issues of keeping students on campus till late in the night. This made the LASUSU IEC to pause the election at exactly 6:30pm on the 27th of February, 2019 with a directive to continue the election the next day 28th February, 2019. In fact, it was said that the Dean Of Students Affairs, Dr. Femi Obayori was part of the decision making process.

However, the IEC could not hold the election the next day due to unavailability of logistics that depends on the management support.


Consequently, the IEC and the Aspirants held a meeting at MBA hall by 3:30pm where it was resolved that the election was inconclusive and the result of the inconclusive election should be released while the released results should be attached to the report of the LASUSU IEC with recommendation that management should provide logistics support for the re-run of the election.


As at present, what we have is the results of the inconclusive election showing specific figures of vote cast for each candidate who participated in the election. For the presidential election, where I participated and contested as a candidate, the result shows that the leading candidate is Ola delz from School of Transport with 612 votes, followed by Myself OmOmeewa from Faculty of Education with 553, followed by Boko halal from Faculty of Art with 494 votes, followed by Synergy from Faculty of Management Sciences with 437 and lastly HO2 also from Faculty of Art with 7 votes out of the total vote cast.


As we write, the election does not have a winner yet, what we have are leading candidates in various positions contested. Our petition is before the election petition committee asking that the IEC should stick to their words by ensuring the completion of the election before declaring winners of the election and to reject any attempt to declare any candidate winner of the inconclusive election.


We understand everybody has interest, but we urge the management of the university to be committed to providing a level playing ground for the completion of the election for a legitimate winner to emerge.


We urge our supporters to anticipate the date for the completion of the inconclusive election process and be prepared to defend their mandate.

We are committed to following the due process in pursuing this course and ensuring there is fairness, justice and equity.


God bless LASU,
God bless LASUSU.
Dare to struggle, Dare to win.


Signed:

*Yusuf Nurudeen Alowonle OmOmeewa*
_Presidential Candidate LASUSU election 18/19_
_Converner Movement For a Sustainable LASUSU._

I appreciate the debate so far around the post, especially the critique on boycotting election. I must add with all emphasis, our pvc is our power we either decide what to do with it.

While I recognize that important of voting in an election, I think we should not elude ourselves of the fact that the two leading candidates in the next general election has no planned of funding education adequately. Atiku has come out clear with his idea of privatising the public university. Same with buhari by the proposal of wale Balakin led fed govt negotiation team.

Therefore, even if we vote there is no serious commitment that will come from it until we struggle. I agree we might need to review the slogan but what is inevitable is the struggle for the implementation of all of the programs of demands there in.


Yes, we should put to media, but I insist that we must have serious conversations on it and agreeing to what the slogan should be and what the demands are.

We have a group on WhatsApp where we can further the discussion on what need to be done.

Thanks kindly.

*ANALYTICAL CRITIQUE OF NO LECTURE NO VOTE SLOGAN*

_Byline: YNA(OmOmeewa)_


The Slogan No Lecture No Vote is a rising Slogan among the rank and file of Nigerian Students. This itself is a reaction to the on going ASUU strike and the failure of the federal government delegation and ASUU leaders to resolve the crisis leading to the strike action after several negotiation meetings.


It is therefore instructive to analytically look at this slogan and what it is capable of achieving towards the struggle of resolving the crisis facing the public university education system in Nigeria.


To start with, I shall provide clearer understanding of the terms there in the Slogan "No Lecture No Vote". The term Lecture in this context refers to all academic activities in Nigeria University while Vote refers to the February 2019 general election. Putting the two terms together, by No Lecture No Vote, we mean NO commencement of academic activities in Nigeria University No February 2019 general election.


Logically, what this slogan seek to achieve is the commencement of academic activities in Nigeria University. However, we need to carefully examine all the possible eventualities that could lead to the commencement of academic activities on campus and to clearly define what the demands of Nigerian students should be;


The first possibilities could be that; the federal government to voluntarily honor her agreement with the ASUU. However, that itself could possibly not happen in the event of several federal government delegation and ASUU leaders failed negotiation meetings and the recent walk out of the ASUU leaders on federal government delegation.


The Second possibilities could be that, a concerted effort from Nigerian Students, ASUU and Nigeria Public University Education Sympathizers that compel Federal government to honor her own agreement with the academic staff union since ASUU has threatened not to back out of the strike action until their demands are met.


The third or probably last possibilities could be that, the federal government uses state apparatus to repressive and shipwreck the struggle such that the struggle will be sell out and ASUU will be forced to commence academic activities. Two case study that supported this last possibility is the sacked and jailed of Nigerian students and lecturers during the Alli must go protest of 1978 (Obasanjo Military Regime) and the Sell Out of the Nigeria Labour leaders during the 2012 general strike and Mass Action.


All of these painted objective conditions can satisfy the Slogan No Lecture No Vote demand if done before February 2019 general election. However, in the event of any of these, what would be the benefit of Nigerian Students;


For instance, The Academic Staff Union shall have their Salary Short fall, Earned Academic Allowance and their other demands meet in the event of the occurrence of either the first and second possibilities except for the third possibilities where the struggle will be sell out.


For clarity, it is our joy to commence academic activities and finish up with our exams but the big question is; what conditions of campus do we desire to go back into; having spent about three (3) months at home? Is it the same old condition of our campuses; where there are inadequate lecture halls, inadequate facilities, laboratories for learning, or where we do not have hostel in some of our campuses and our colleagues are subjected to the exploitation of the host communities, where some of our campuses with hostel are inadequate and in a dilapidated conditions, or where our colleagues are made to pay huge amount of money as tuition fee, or where provision of good quality education can not be guaranteed etc that we desire to resume back to.


If we are to be sincere with ourselves in answering the question posed above, I am convinced that we all will desire a certain significant level of changes in our campuses after the strike.


It is in this direction of thought that, I suggest a review of the slogan or an addendum of programme of demands that would capture the needs and aspirations of Nigerian Students to the Slogan.

THE NANS CHARTER OF DEMANDS ADOPTED AT BAYERO UNIVERSITY 14TH DAY OF DECEMBER 1982 is still fresh and we can draw inspiration from it.

I.) On Relevance of the content of our Education system.
We should demand that a New Policy on Education be launched to overhaul the present one which will served both the interests of the Nigerian Students & the Nigerian Economy.

II.) On the Undemocratic Nature of Administration in the various higher institutions
We should demand democratic representation and chances for debates in senate(s), council(s) and governing bodies based on the membership of the campus community viz; workers, students and lecturers.

III.) On the condition of living & studying in higher Institutions.
We should demand Adequate Funding of higher institutions, provision of better conditions of service for both academic and non academic staffs, compulsory and uniform scholarships for all students to cover for books, research allowance, food, accommodation and transportation.

IV.) On the National Youth Service Corps
Automatic employment for those who have completed the youth corps scheme and blacklisting of establishment's recycling corps without providing employment.

V.) On Nigeria Foreign Policy
We should demand a more progressive and anti-imperialist stance in the UNO, OAU and other international bodies.

All these are possible programmes of demands we can add to the slogan "NO lecture No Vote" else we remain where we are and our stay home will end being for nothing.

Obviously, ASUU leaders will only struggle to protect the welfare interest of her members, it is only the organization of the Nigeria Student that can best protect the interests of students. I therefore call on all Nigerian Students who are interested in these programme of demands and Slogan to immediately kick start discussions on the programme of actions that can drive home the implementation of our slogan and programme of demands in this short period without any further waiting on NANS or its leadership. I will gladly join in the formation and organization of the movement of Nigerian students towards the implementation of the above programme. I am Yusuf Nurudeen (OmOmeewa) I can be contacted through my gmail @Yusufnurudeena and mobile network on +2348188878976.

ASUU LASU is in total compliance with the Strike.

*Education Commodification: A Perspective for Proper Funding of Education*

I took interest in writing on the above topic with a view of explaining to the best of my ability the nexus between education commodification and the present condition of our campuses and educational system and Nigeria at large.


As a student of Education, who is deeply rooted in the historical development of education in Nigeria. History makes us understand that, education in Nigeria started with the intervention of the missionaries, till it got to a stage where government felt, it is her business to educate her citizens. The government then took over the business of education from the missionary and began to fund education system adequately.


During this period, the education system was geared towards achieving the national objectives which is to produce required man power for the public sector and national development.


At some point in the history of Nigeria and it's educational system, there are no space within the public sector where manpower produce in schools will serve, this render the government irresponsible to proper funding of the educational system and by extension, the decline in the standard of education. The effect of this led to the emergence of private own schools with a view that it will serve as alternative to public schools and it will Increase the access to schools and provide good quality education.


However, Contrary to this, instead of leading to the increase in access and provision of good quality education, It has reduced access to quality education to those who can afford it.


The idea of commodification of education brought about the following;


INEQUALITY: Following the decline in the standard of public education, the rich parents take their wards to private school for standardized education while working people have no choice than the declined public education or sub standard private school for their wards. This by extension widen the gap between the rich and the poor as those who are able to afford the quality and standard education in private school has access to greater opportunity to be successful compared to those that have no access to it.


Examination Malpractice: Most private schools now are characterized with examination malpractice. They do this, to meet up with parents expectations and thus by implications such act serves as an impediment towards achieving education and national objectives.


Low quality of education: Following the profit motive of establishing private school one will agree that all proprietors seek profit first ahead of quality delivery of education services. This therefore make the provision of facilities and infrastructure to support learning practically difficult if not impossible considering the huge cost involved in running a school and even those that has this educational facilities in place tends to inflate their tuition fee to meet up with the running cost.


Exploitation of Labour: Don't let us forget that the idea of privatisation allows the entrepreneur or proprietor of schools to organize labour of teachers in setting up the school. At first this is like a blessing as it creates employment opportunities but the reality is that it subject teachers employed to wage and economic slavery. It allows the proprietor to milk on the sweat of the teachers to live in luxury. A situation where salary of the teachers is not enough to send their wards to such school.

Lack of quality Man Power: With respect to the National policy on education which posit that education is aimed at producing man power needed for national development. It is crystal clear that, the present educational system both public and private is not in anyway closer to the attainment of this educational objective. An evidence of this is the speech delivered by Mr Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN) on the occasion of University of Benin Convocation in 2016. Where he noted that, the type of education he received during his days in University of Benin form the basis of his personality up-to-date and such education can't be compare with what we have today in both public and private schools. The lack of delivery of good quality education had brought us to this pitiable situation where we have over populated graduate who are not employable according to Prof. Yemi Osinbajo The Vice President federal republic of Nigeria.

Unemployment or under employment: This is the heart of why government has failed fund education properly, and the major effects of commodification of education, the Nigerian economy is an economy that depends largely on importation of goods and services it's need except for few manufacturing companies and extraction of crude oil. This practically makes Nigerian economy not in need of the highly skilled man power supposed to be produce in university. The Nigerian ruling elite knows this and this make them to advise university undergraduate to take up entrepreneurship has alternatives.


Consequently, on the above, one will agree with me that, The idea that, Commodification of Nigeria educational system is the last resort for provision of quality education is a thing of people deceiving people (PDP) therefore, it is pertinent for us as a student and for the purpose of saving public education from collapse and for the sake of the future generation yet unborn to begin to draw the attention of our government to their initial task in the days of Awolowo with a view of making sure they harness the resources of the country effectively and efficiently towards providing free and quality education at all levels of educational system in line with section 18 of Nigeria Constitution.



No doubt, Nigeria is enormously rich enough to cater for more than 180 million citizens if our resources is properly manage. Therefore, we must do away with the assertion that free education at all levels is not possible in this age and time. What we must do is to muster pressure on the government and compel them to do the needful in harnessing all resources that we are blessed with for the purpose of developing humanity and Nigerians. Ours demands should be that the federal government should break away from the neo colonial economic arrangements thats makes the Nigeria economy dependent on the economy of the west and Asia tigers by this, our government will be committed to proper funding of education and provision of other social security needs of the people of Nigeria.

It's on this note that, I call on Nigerian students to wake up from the state of complacency and desist from the popular slogan "E Go Better". I charge us to reclaim our union and use it as an independent platforms to solicit for free, functional and quality education at all levels of educational system in Nigeria. The task may seems so much difficult and the challenges may seems insurmountable, however history have it that freedom comes by struggle. A free, functional and quality education is possible if you solicit for it.

I call on Nigerian students to resist this anti human arrangement with all the forces within us and to organise ourselves in our number to solicit for proper funding of education.



Greatest Nigerian students, The choice is ours. We have nothing to loose other than our chains.

A better education system will definitely give birth to a better Nigeria.


Aluta continua....Victoria Ascerta !

I am Yusuf Nurudeen Alowonle
OmOmeewa
Presidential Aspirant Lagos State University Students' Union 18'
Yusufnurudeena@gmail.com
08188878976

By Eletu Zulaikah & Ilesanmi Rushdah



Education Right Campaign held her first discussion since the inception of the ongoing Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) strike at Lagos University, Faculty of Education Sandwich Hall ll on the theme:” Requisite attitude of students and her Union leaders in the face of the ongoing strike and the failure of the Federal Government to properly fund education.


The incumbent coordinator of ERC LASU chapter, Comrade IBS Duroorike, introduced the speakers: Rt. Hon Abdulkareem Ridwan (Arty) – LASUSU Speaker, Comr. Sanusi Mubaraq; President of the Faculty of Social Sciences, Comr. Dhikrullah Aasin Bintinlaye; former coordinator of ERC LASU chapter and Comr. Osinowo Olawale as the moderator of the day among other participants.



The first speaker Rt. Hon. Abdulkareem (LASUSU Speaker) talked on key points: which include the attitude of the students Union leaders, 6% allocation to education and the failure of Federal Government to adhere with the provisions section18 of Nigeria 1999 constitution as amended which provides for free and quality education for all Nigerians.



He also pointed out that ASUU strike is at detriment to students career and the only way to curb it is to use the power of pen and the radical, Marxist and the leftist approach”.



The second speaker, former ERC coordinator posited that the blame game should be on the Federal government “because they have dissent proper funding in education. He also opine that the union leaders should compel the federal government to use the public resources to fund public own university and the only way to do this is through mass struggle.



Moreso, Comrade Sanusi Mubaraq, President of Faculty of Social Science added that parmanet solution to the current situation is to remodify our mindset on how we address issues. He also enjoined students union leaders not to limit themselves to activities within the confine of their University and therefore need to be self assertive.”



Furthermore, contribution was welcomed from the audience and the following point were made; The students Union such as National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) should be re-oriented towards defending the students interest all time, the Federal Government is to be blame for the ongoing strike, and finally “Nigerian Students must be prepared to Use their electoral power to vote in government that can adequately fund Education”.



In conclusion, after the whole controversial discuss, it was agreed that all Nigerian University students should not make the strike a sit back home strike, they should use all available means at the disposal; write up, twitter conference, social media advocacy, different group open letters, mass protest among others to compel the Federal Government to meet ASUU demands and ensure the strike is being call off any time soon.



Also, a proposal to create a broad coalition to see the possibility of pushing forward the struggle for compelling federal government to meet ASUU demands in other to bring an end to the strike was initiated.

By Eletu Zulaikah & Ilesanmi Rushdah


Education Right Campaign held her first discussion since the inception of the ongoing Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) strike at Lagos University, Faculty of Education Sandwich Hall ll on the theme:” Requisite attitude of students and her Union leaders in the face of the ongoing strike and the failure of the Federal Government to properly fund education.


The incumbent coordinator of ERC LASU chapter, Comrade IBS Duroorike, introduced the speakers: Rt. Hon Abdulkareem Ridwan (Arty) – LASUSU Speaker, Comr. Sanusi Mubaraq; President of the Faculty of Social Sciences, Comr. Dhikrullah Aasin Bintinlaye; former coordinator of ERC LASU chapter and Comr. Osinowo Olawale as the moderator of the day among other participants.



The first speaker Rt. Hon. Abdulkareem (LASUSU Speaker) talked on key points: which include the attitude of the students Union leaders, 6% allocation to education and the failure of Federal Government to adhere with the provisions section18 of Nigeria 1999 constitution as amended which provides for free and quality education for all Nigerians.



He also pointed out that ASUU strike is at detriment to students career and the only way to curb it is to use the power of pen and the radical, Marxist and the leftist approach”.



The second speaker, former ERC coordinator posited that the blame game should be on the Federal government “because they have dissent proper funding in education. He also opine that the union leaders should compel the federal government to use the public resources to fund public own university and the only way to do this is through mass struggle.



Moreso, Comrade Sanusi Mubaraq, President of Faculty of Social Science added that parmanet solution to the current situation is to remodify our mindset on how we address issues. He also enjoined students union leaders not to limit themselves to activities within the confine of their University and therefore need to be self assertive.”



Furthermore, contribution was welcomed from the audience and the following point were made; The students Union such as National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) should be re-oriented towards defending the students interest all time, the Federal Government is to be blame for the ongoing strike, and finally “Nigerian Students must be prepared to Use their electoral power to vote in government that can adequately fund Education”.



In conclusion, after the whole controversial discuss, it was agreed that all Nigerian University students should not make the strike a sit back home strike, they should use all available means at the disposal; write up, twitter conference, social media advocacy, different group open letters, mass protest among others to compel the Federal Government to meet ASUU demands and ensure the strike is being call off any time soon.



Also, a proposal to create a broad coalition to see the possibility of pushing forward the struggle for compelling federal government to meet ASUU demands in other to bring an end to the strike was initiated.