By Cynthia Eruotor
The President of Student Union Government of Federal University of Petroleum Resources,(FUPRE), Effurun, Delta State, Comrade Edemakiota Etiosa Oghebemaro has finally broken silence over the management of the institution’s plan to increase the school fees for the students in the school.
In a press statement signed by Comrade Oghenemaro himself and made available to newsmen, he reminded the students he has been tackling the issue of proposed Increment for the past three months to see how best the adjustment of the fees could favour the students on side and the school management on the other. Part of the statement reads:” You will recall that I have been on the school fees issue for the past three months…I have carried this burden from the very first day the school fees were initially increased to ₦180,000+ for 200-level students and above a move we firmly rejected”.
According to the statement, his name would be mentioned as being on top of the struggle whether in his presence or absence adding that, he would not give up as his duty as elected president is to protect the interest of the students. Part of the statement reads:” And yes, that is why my name is always at the top. I understand this, and I take full responsibility. Whether I am physically present or not, I remain your elected SUG President, and it is my duty to take full charge and protect your interests at all times”.
The statement further said by the grace of God and collective efforts of the 13th SUG Executive Council, a strong agreement was reached that the school fees must not exceed ₦100,000. The statement said, after such agreement, to his dismay, he was surprised to see strange, inflated, and completely unacceptable figures uploaded on the University portal as this has been a source of concern to the executive which he said wouldn’t be accepted. The statement said the institution is a federal one where education is accessible to the poor, the average, and the masses not a place where students are subjected to financial hardship and therefore, the Students’ Union would not shift its ground as regards the agreed amount of N100, 000 just it instructed that no students should pay anything above that amount.
Comrade Oghenemaro lamented a situation where the new school administration denied the executive of the student Union body to have access to the Vice Chancellor and the school management over the matter despite several attempts made by the Student Union body. Part of the statement reads:” The news school administration on several occasions, has refused to listen to the SUG, and has even denied the Union access to meet with the Vice-Chancellor and the University Management regarding this issue. This is happening despite the fact that engaging student representatives is essential for peace, stability, and a healthy academic environment”. The statement said, Executive held a meeting with University Management over the school fees on the month of September adding that since then, all efforts made to get a peaceful meeting proved abortive and feedback has not been encouraging.
According to the statement, his executive would not accept any unjustifiable increase in school fees especially at a time when the nation is going through severe economic hardship as students are already struggling to pay fees twice yearly across different academic sessions The statement said it has come to the realisation of the SUG president and his executive that some past leaders of the institution attempt to influence or mislead students for their selfish gains warning that, any past or present individuals that act against the collective interest of the students at this critical time, would be be held accountable as no amount of threat on the unity or welfare of FUPRITES would be accepted. He therefore called on the students to be calm and resolute on the position of the student Union body as success is in the tunnel. Part of the statement reads:”Aluta Continua! Victory is Ccertain!