TOWARDS BUILDING THE AKSU OF OUR DREAMS:
A Post Normalcy-restoration Era Press Release!
The leadership of the Nigerian Students in Akwa Ibom and Cross River States overseen by Comrade Emmanuel Aniedu in conjunction with the NANS JCC Akwa Ibom Axis under the Chairmanship of Comr. Moses Jackson Itaketo had on Friday, 16th July, 2021 led a delegation of NANS Comrades to a meeting with the Vice Chancellor of Akwa Ibom State University, Prof. Nse Essien.
The purpose of the meeting:
For five days, there had been a serious and uncompromising protest by Nigerian Students in Akwa Ibom State University over the fee hike by the school administration.
On day 3 of the protest, all efforts to silent or hijack the protest was to no avail.
The Vice Chancellor of the institution had to avail himself for a dialogue with the students.
The Vice Chancellor was first unable to access the University campus due to students' refusal to allow him access through the main entrance, stating that their demands be met before the school's main entrance be made accessible.
All attempts hitherto made by several concerned individuals to quail the turmoil was fiercely resisted by the protesting students who bluntly denied them listening ears on the grounds of lack of trust.
It was later revealed that an invitation to the apex leadership of the Nigerian Students in Akwa Ibom and Cross River States, led by Comr. Emmanuel Ita Aniedu (NANS National Ex-officio 1) , in conjunction with the NANS JCC Akwa Ibom Axis, led by Comr. Moses Jackson Itaketo, for a meeting with the Vice Chancellor, could profer a solution to the looming crisis and would restore peace and order to the institution, provided the demands of Nigerian Students are met and seen to be met.
This only alternative was adopted:
Upon being assured of their safety, the National leadership of NANS in the State under Comr. Emmanuel Aniedu's care honoured an invitation by the Vice Chancellor to a meeting with the University management so as to lay the matter to rest definitively.
The meeting had in attendance, the Vice Chancellor, a retinue of the University's management Staff, Security Chiefs, five (5) National delegates led by Comr. Emmanuel Aniedu, and three (3) State Officers led by Comr. Moses Itaketo as well as two newly admitted students of the institution whom the proposed fees increment would directly affect.
At the meeting, the NANS Charter of Demands itemizing the yearnings of students in the institution was presented to the Vice Chancellor by the NANS Chairman Comr. Moses Jackson, as here highlighted:
1. REDUCTION OF SCHOOL FEES FOR NEWLY ADMITTED STUDENTS.
2. STUDENTS LEADERSHIP REFORM.
3. CONSTRUCTION OF HOSTELS ON BOTH CAMPUSES.
4. BUILDING OF THE SUG SECRETARIAT.
5. NO VICTIMISATION.
Although in response, the Vice Chancellor stressed to the delegation that students admitted from 2019 and other years preceding it will be exempted from paying the incremented fees, stating that the school administration had embarked on 'a new fee regime', and ''not fees increment'', the NANS JCC chairman emphasized that the distinction between newly admitted students and old Students does not in anyway alienate the right of any of the students as all are being treated equally in the eyes of the law.
He also stated that all Nigerian Students are entitled to equal rights and fair treatment.
He appealed that the fees for newly admitted students be reduced nonetheless.
The representatives of the newly admitted students equally appealed for same.
Responding to the appeal, the Vice Chancellor assured the Students that he will take it up to the relevant authorities to realize the implementation of reduction.
The Vice Chancellor also resolved at the meeting that the school portal for payment of fees shall remain closed for the newly admitted students until a final resolution of reduced fees rate is arrived at.
At the end of the meeting, the Vice Chancellor, in company with the NANS delegation, and with the entire Students folk in audience, declared that the school campus be officially opened for commencement of full academic activities.
Consequent upon the meeting, the first ever five (5) days students protest in the State-owened institution led by Comr. Moses Jackson Itaketo was summarily drawn to a conclusion.
Peace and Order has since been restored in Akwa Ibom State University.
GAINS FROM THE DIALOGUE:
The AKSU Students struggles opened up more avenues for dialogue with the Vice Chancellor of the University in view of the aforementioned demands of the students.
As a result, the Vice Chancellor in his fatherly response to the demands of Nigerian Students in Akwa Ibom State University has been able to secure for the students the following:
1. REDUCTION OF SCHOOL FEES:
An implementated reduction from
103,000 > 93,200 (indigenes) and
133,000 > 113,000 (non-indigenous).
2. STUDENTS LEADERSHIP REFORM:
The Vice Chancellor on Thursday, 29th July 2021 inaugurated the Electoral Board Committee to conduct the Students Union General Elections with Engr. Dr. Dominic Ekpo as Electoral Board Chairman. The election has been scheduled to hold on Thursday 26th August, 2021.
Candidates aspiring for various offices have picked up nomination forms for their respective offices of interest as at the time of compilation of this press release.
3. CONSTRUCTION OF HOSTELS ON BOTH CAMPUSES:
This is already ongoing on both campuses of the University.
4. BUILDING OF SUG SECRETARIAT:
The Vice Chancellor pledged that the plots of land for construction of the secretariat shall be allocated in August.
5. NO VICTIMISATION:
Students have been assured of their security on campus, and of no victimisation whatsoever for participation in the just concluded #OccupyAKSUProtest
NANS urges Nigerian Students in Akwa Ibom State University to go about their academic activities peacefully as law abiding citizens.
NANS hereby registers her profound gratitude to Prof. Nse Essien, the Vice Chancellor of Akwa Ibom State University for:
- a) his fatherly approach towards ensuring that the demands of the students were met.
- b) exerting the much-needed cordial energy in order to ensure that the struggles of the Nigerian Students in Akwa Ibom State University saw progress as the students have since developed a renewed sense of confidence in the the leadership of Professor Nse Essien as their Vice Chancellor.
As students resume their routine academic activities, their hearts are filled with so much expectations even as they recognise today in gratitude that progress is progress, no matter how small.
___ Destiny Abidiak, Reporting from the Office of the NANS National Ex-officio 1.
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