NANS, Others Meet DSUST Mgt., As VC Insists On Proposed School Fees

SUG President Reinstated

By Daniel Dafe

In continuation of their agitations for a conducive, qualitative and serene environment but affordable tuition fees for the overall interests of Nigerian students, the leaderships of National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) Zone B led by the Deputy Coordinator, Dio Oghale-Emejoereda Emeka Rex, National Association of Delta State Students led by the national president, Comr Nkwor Gabriel and Joint Campus Committee led by Comrade Precious Madjemite have met with the management of Delta State University of Science and Technology Ozoro over the high proposed school fees of the institution

Recall that the leadership of NANS on the 22nd of February met with the Commissioner for Higher Education and the Vice Chancellors of the state owned universities to register their displeasure over what they described as the outrageous school fee schedule and the continuous neglect of the students union leadership.

At the said meeting, it was agreed that the students leadership should meet with the various management of the institutions.

Thus, on Wednesday, the leadership of NANS and NADESTU visited the office of the Vice Chancellor of Delta State University of Science and Technology, Ozoro, Professor Jacob Snapp Oboreh.

Receiving the visitors, the VC gave an insight on the proposed school fee schedule, noting that while he understands that times are hard, the essence of quality and sound education should not be jeopardized.

He noted that the school fee schedule is termed proposed due to the fact that the university is a new university hence does not have any earlier schedule fee payment and also as proposed it is subsequent to review.

Responding, Comrade Rex appreciated the VC for his readiness and willingness for negotiation, saying that the leadership of NANS does not have any issue with the management neither with the institution per say.

Continuing, he said that NANS is only agitating for a just cause since they remain the voice of the voiceless and hope of the hopeless Nigerian students.

“As stakeholders in the educational sector and partner in development, it was expected that while preparing the proposed school fee schedule the management would have sought the input of the leadership of Nigerian students which by so doing, our interest would have been protected fully,” the deputy coordinator noted.

Furthermore, he maintained that the leadership of NANS is holding on to her earlier position of between 70,000 to 100,000 naira for tuition fees in the newly established university which the leadership sees to still be on the high side but said due to the economic situation they consider this as fair enough for both parties.

Sources said during the meeting, the management and the students leadership failed to agree on a particular fee to be paid by students.

NANS argument that the proposed fee must be between 70,000 to 100,000 naira was rejected by the management.

Consequently, the Special Assistant on Students Affairs to the Governor, Pedro Chibuzo Obi-OssaiDibie who was an observer, appealed to both parties to go back to the drawing board, make more and further consultations and at a later date meet to take a decision favorable to both parties.

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Meanwhile, the students union president of the defunct Delta State Polytechnic Ozoro who was queried twice for alleged insubordination and disobedience and also made to face the school’s disciplinary committee, has been reinstated after the students’ delegation solicited that the management should not take further actions on the union president whose crime was lending his voice with other comrades as regards the proposed school fee schedule, adding that the SUG president should not be penalized so things will not be complicated for both parties.

The Vice Chancellor who then approved that the union president be exonerated of any sanction or panel, urged him to be of good behavior henceforth, noting that the reasons for his queries were due to the inciting words he was using on the social media which he said is tantamount to bridging the peace in the institution.