Photo: Reduce Our Fees Now Or Risk ‘Losing’ 2015 Governorship Election- OOU Students Tell Amosun

The students of the Olabisi Onabanjo University, OOU, which
was shut down last month have warned Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun, that
he might lose the 2015 governorship election in the state if he doesn’t listen
to them and rescind his decision on their increased school fees.

The student president in a press conference held yesterday
in Lagos, said the increased in school fees will make thousands of students
drop out, as most of them will be unable to pay the new fess. How logical is
this, he asked. Continue below…

He also demanded for the re-opening of the institution
amongst others. His words;

“We are ever resolute to pursue this cause no matter what it
takes, because the issue is very simple.

“If you are talking about reduction and you run to the media
without having a conclusive or mutual agreement and the most annoying thing is
you are saying the implementation will take effect next session, our own
argument is logical and simple.

“Over 2000 students cannot pay and have applied for leave of
absence for the 2012/2013 session, and many couldn’t return. If you now
announce a reduction and you say it will take effect next session, what of this
academic session of 2013/2014?

“Do they go out of school because they can’t pay and return
next session? Is it logical? It’s not logical. Implementation and further
reduction of the fees is non-negotiable”.

“Let me also address the rumour that we are being motivated
by politicians.

“We all remember the Ali-must-go protest in the 70s, we
heard the students accused of being sponsored by the opposition.

“During the LASU struggle, they said the 5th columnist and
some politicians motivated it, but at the end of the day, the success of the
struggle showed that it was a student motivated struggle.

“It is always like that in this part of the world, when we
have a highly irresponsible government who always look for excuse to justify
their irresponsibility and that’s why they are saying the struggle of Olabisi
Onabanjo University is a politically motivated one. It is not and it will never
be,” Mr. Ifade stated.

“They said it’s only 1 out of 9 tertiary institutions that
is complaining.

“But it is only that one that is in 2013/2014 academic
session; it is only one that pays the highest tuition fees in the entire
Nigeria; it is only that one that is still standing and it will continue to
stand.”

Education is a right of the students and not a privilege, he
said. He also urged the public and media to support the students and disregard
government’s propaganda against the students.