The students of the Lagos State University (LASU) have taken their campaign to the social media, with the launch of #SaveLASU on twitter, which has become one of the trending issues on the platform. The students are demanding the immediate reopening of the school registration portal and reversal of the school fee hike. They have also tasked the Lagos state government to improve the funding of the institution.
Ewebiyi Keye James on Facebook said
I
enjoyed Scholarship Awards in LASU throughout my stay, i didn't pay a
dime and i also got N20,000 textbook allowance annually. Now, the
Scholarship Scheme has been cancelled by FASHOLA and Tuition Fees hiked
by 725%. No More Hope of Tertiary Education For Indigent But Brilliant
Students. That's Why I Must Fight! Others Must Enjoy What I Enjoyed.
Tweet #SaveLASU @tundefashola Reverse The Fee Hike NOW!
Some of other popular posts by the students include, “#SaveLASU @tundefashola, we demand: reopening of school and registration portal, reversal of fee hike in LASU, adequate funding of LASU”, “@APCNigeria, tell your party to make education affordable for the poor by reversing the fee hike in LASU #SaveLASU”, “An estimate of 1292 LASU students are denied registration. Education is a right not a privilege. #SaveLASU”, “Do what you can, with what you have, where you are- Theodore Roosevelt. #SaveLASU @tundefashola, history beckons, Pa. Jakande did his.One of the students with twitter handle @hoylumeeday tweeted “2008, 2009, 2010-100L. Now 2012, 2013, 2014-500L. Una no want make person progress #SaveLASU”
@Hs_Chosen also added that “While other schools are writing their exams, we are at home waiting on our school #SaveLASU
@Ilooklikeagirl tweeted, “After six months of being at home, we deserve a smooth semester not another interruption, #SaveLASU”.
Some of the students who spoke with our correspondent, pleading that their names should not be in print for the fear of victimization, argued that there is no justification for the continue closure of the school, accusing the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. John Obafunwa of exaggeration when he stated that properties destroyed were unquantifiable. They also alleged that the properties were destroyed by hoodlums who hijacked the protest, following the VC failure to address the students on the fateful day.
A top member of the SUG in transition, who does not want his name in print, also accused the Fashola led government of intimidation and harassment. “They (the Lagos State Government) are after us. They are intimidating us into signing some documents. Is it a crime to be a LASUITE? The school is the most expensive government-owned university in Nigeria and we are not getting value for the money. How can you increase tuition fee from N25, 000 to N350, 000 without anything to show for it? Fashola, Ikuforiji, Adefulire and others had free or subsidized education, why can’t they also do same for us?” he queried.
He also called on the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adeyemi Ikuforiji to call members of the parliament to order, noting that a lawmaker addressed students of LASU as thugs during the hearing conveyed by the assembly.
It will be recalled that the management of the Lagos State University (LASU) closed the state-owned university indefinitely following what it termed ‘violent protest by the students”.
The decision was contained in a bulletin, dated 23rd January, 2013, titled LASU management Closes University indefinitely.
The statement reads, “In the wake of the violent protest by some affected students of Lagos State University (LASU) over the closure of the university portal for registration of courses for rain semester 2012/2013 examination, the university management has decided to shut down the university indefinitely. Also, examinations have been put off till further notice.
With this decision, students are expected to vacate the university premises until further notice”.
The students had staged a peaceful protest on Wednesday, 22nd January over the closure of the registration portal but the protest became violent the following day, with properties destroyed.
This came a day after the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly; Rt. Hon. Adeyemi Ikuforiji lauded the students’ union for using the e-voting system to elect their officers and advised the Prof. Jega led Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) to take a cue from the students and organize a credible e-voting elections in the country comes 2015. Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
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Well done Fashola! you always use every opportunity in the media to tell all those who care to read or listen that your government is the best and that APC is aviable option.
ReplyDeleteNow, what are we seeing in LASU? am sure there are others yet to come to limelight.
We can't trust the APC as an option for Nigeria.
I wonder what will be Fashola (BRF) flimsy excuses on the fee hike and closure of the institution. Progressive indeed, I regret casting my vote for you. God is the best of judges.
ReplyDeleteSo what's the option for Nigeria?
ReplyDeletePeople are quick to jump to unreasonable conclusion... if students are to protest, must they damage property??? Is it not money they will use to make the repairs???. Students will always be students. In the end, the portals will be opened and their conditions met, then who funds the repairs? People should check the lssb website and see how the same govt is trying to ease their tuition... To our able and reliable gov, please review the fees. The jump was too exponential. The two parties must meet at the middle. Lets get our leaders back to school so we can all progress
ReplyDeletePeople are quick to jump to unreasonable conclusion... if students are to protest, must they damage property??? Is it not money they will use to make the repairs???. Students will always be students. In the end, the portals will be opened and their conditions met, then who funds the repairs? People should check the lssb website and see how the same govt is trying to ease their tuition... To our able and reliable gov, please review the fees. The jump was too exponential. The two parties must meet at the middle. Lets get our leaders back to school so we can all progress
ReplyDeleteAPC at work una never see anytin...if care is not taking PDP will takeover lagos sate
ReplyDeleteGovernment that can help their people are not worthy of the position of a leader. We Nigerians are hungry for education,so that we don't turn to hooligans and our daughters don't turn into prostitute, drug addict. Now the government we thought would make things easier for us is now making the life of people they govern miserably by hiking school fees. Governor Fashola, every youth look up to you as a man to emulate being a successful lawyer, politician,and a governor. we know you appreciate education very much and you understand the hardships in our land- Nigeria! i use these platform to beg you on behalf of my fellow student and the good people of Lagos state, to reduce the school fees so that this prestigious state university can produce good leaders like You, Awolowo etc.EKO ONI BAGE AND LASU ONI BAGE- MAY ALLAH HELP YOU AND YOUR TEAM TO REPOSITION LASU AS DID THE MANAGEMENT OF OBAFEMI AWOLOWO UNIVERSITY,ABROS ALI UNIVERSITY, DELTA STATE UNIVERSITY, UNIVERSITY OF PORT HARCOURT ETC. WE LOVE YOU THE GOVERNOR
ReplyDelete