Protests are in place. It is a good way to channel your disapproval about issues. Definitely, a means of drawing the attention of any reasonable management to issues they might have discounted
Protests are in place. It is a good way to channel your disapproval about issues. Definitely, a means of drawing the attention of any reasonable management to issues they might have discounted.
In every sane environment, protests are done in tranquility, in order and without any form of unsightly scenes been created. However, the latest protest embarked upon by University of Lagos students portends the opposite.
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The reasons for the protest were called by the University of Lagos Students Union. According to the call for protest by the union to the students on April 6, the union noted: “There was a student leaders forum which held at the parliament where salient issues were debated and discussed among which are the persistent issues on ground in the university such as issues of water, power supply and disparity in prices of commodities all over the campus which student leaders have been going back and forth with the school management.
“The entirety of the forum came up with the conclusion that all student leaders march to the office of the Students' Affairs and question the status quo today 6th of April. Take off point is the Student Union Arena by 12 noon prompt.
“UNILAG STUDENTS need answers and speedy solutions. Our exams are approaching and we can't write them in these conditions. WE NEED ANSWERS.
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“All students that are interested in joining in are free to come along. All students must however be with their ID cards,” the notice stated.
Fine! From the above notice three key issues instigated the protest: shortages in water and power supply, disparity in prices of commodities on campus and the deadlock with the school management. Well stated. However, how right your message might be, the means of passing such messages must be carefully highlighted in order not to escalate an already biting situation.
Before now, the power supply in the school has always been a better condition than the supply to other Nigerians. To this, kudos must be given to the school on these. However, students have in recent times been suffering from epileptic power supply. The lack of power supply slows down academic activities: Stuffy lecture theatres, Inability to read by students as well carry academic assignments. Well noted!
The students’ grievances mirror that of Nigerians who have continuously lived in darkness for days. Queues have tripled at different filling stations with Nigerians spending man hours without any success of getting Premium Motor Spirit to get on with their daily activities.
It also reflects how the nation’s current economy has made many commodities sell for exorbitant prices. Several commodities have seen their prices tripled leaving buyers to their fate. Quite Saddening!
With all these echoing the current state of Nigeria, one would have expected a more co-ordinated approach in protesting by the Mohammed Olaniyan-led ULSU administration and the students. The harassment, hounding and harrying of students on Thursday, April 7 from their hostels to the Senate Building was uncalled for. It was reported that students got into various halls of residences and ordered the students to protest.
In doing this, some students confirmed how many who wished to capture the scenes created were bullied, beaten and had their phones seized. Protests are voluntary. Any hoodwinked protest will always have repercussions.
With all these happenings, the management’s decision Friday Morning to send students home saves the university a sordid embarrassment.
The university management said it was suspending all academic activities on campus to forestall further breakdown of law and order. It also ordered the students to vacate their halls of residence immediately.
“A decision to re-open for normal academic activities will be made as soon as municipal services improve. All members of the University community are enjoined to go about their normal activities as adequate security measures have been put in place,” the notice by the management stated.
The recurrent reactive stance the university authority on certain issues in recent past has not been helpful. A progressive leadership is a proactive, foresees a lacuna and works tirelessly to block such. The continuous grandstanding, lack of communication, proper deliberation with students and stakeholders will continually result in this situation.
Professor Rahman Ade-Bello, the soft-spoken Vice-Chancellor and astute professor of Chemical Engineering knows too well that strategic and proper communication is germane if he desires to steer the University of Lagos appropriately. With the first semester examination scheduled for April 18, this break in the calendar remains uncalled for.
This protest succeeds two other unnecessary protests by students in the last one year. The students’ executives must definitely admit it goofed and redress its steps. The earlier the better else the ten-year ban of union activities on campus might seem to be erupt again.
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