School Fees: Many Believe I Was Bribed, Accuse Me Of Betraying Students –DELSU SUG President

By Daniel Dafe

President, Student Union Government (SUG), Delta State University (DELSU), Abraka, Comrade Cyprian Odifili, has denied collecting bribes from anyone to frustrate the struggle for a reduction in the amount paid by students as school fees after the management announced an increase for fresh students.

The student leader, who spoke to Oasis Magazine (OM), said his administration made moves to bring about a reduction in the amount, adding that the statement credited to the Governor that urged the management for a review was a political one.

Continuing, he hinted that apart from the allegations leveled against him that he collected bribe, many also have said that he took sides with the VC because he is his in-law.

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His words: “I was accused that I took bribe and that is why we are trying to compromise on issue of the school fees. They said it is because the Vice Chancellor’s wife happens to come from my community; that is the vice chancellor happens to be my in law. So, because of that, they believe that I am not really doing the things am supposed to do in respect of the school fees, even to the extent that the State government gave a directive to the management to meet with the SUG but because since the VC happens to be my in-law, I’ve done nothing about it.”

He continued: “We met with the Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Sheriff Oborevwori and the chairman, House Committee on Education, Charles Emetulu, with a view to achieving a reduction in the school fees knowing full well that the University is owned by the state government.”

Meanwhile, the VC has said the issue of school fees increase was a settled matter, adding that Governor Okowa was misquoted.

Meanwhile, at the time of filing this report, the management has released an updated 2021/2022 Academic Calendar.

In the new Academic Calendar, students now have till April 22 for registration of courses, while late registration (with penalty fees to be paid), will run from April 25-27.

Lectures are to end April 29, while First Semester examinations will commence May 9 and end May 27.

Also, students are expected back on campus June 12, as lectures begin June 13.