Student union accuse management of victimization

The Student Union of the University of Lagos has accused the institutions management of trampling on the rights of the students as well as issuing misleading information to the public.

This is following the dissolution of the union by the school management last week.

On Tuesday, April 26, at a press conference, the students said they were exploring legal and political solutions to the impasse with the university authority.

“As students and social engineers who have been taught by professors, Ph.D. holders and a plethora of intelligent academics, we find it illegal and draconian that the University of Lagos management would suspend the University of Lagos Students’ Union on the basis that we peacefully agitated for our rights,” the students’ body said.

“Quite succinctly, Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) grants the right to peaceful assembly and association.

“We, therefore, find the management’s assertion that the union was suspended because of violence that erupted out of the peaceful protest, unacceptably misleading.‎”

The senate has directed that all academic activities in the school should resume on May 2. However, students were asked to sign an undertaking and parents’ indemnity forms before they would be allowed to return to the school.

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The students’ union body described the conditions as “ridiculous”, PremiumTimes report.

‎”It is laughable that students are being coerced into signing certain preposterous undertaking forms, while already frustrated parents are equally being left with no option as they sign the indemnity forms,” they said.

“We understand the plight of our parents and we want to, at this juncture reassure them that this struggle is in the best interest of their children/wards.

“Let us state unequivocally that no student was expelled, suspended or rusticated as a consequence of our peaceful protest. Hence, we find it shocking that the school management has decided to re-absorb/re-admit already matriculated students.

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The students’ union advised those who had signed the undertakings to also obtain an affidavit that shows they were made to sign the forms under duress.

They also challenged the school management to present evidence that facilities were damaged during their protest weeks ago.

“To the entire public, we must resonate that injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere,” the statement continued.

“Today, the gross injustice that we suffer from the hands of the University of Lagos Management is a threat to the entire public.

“Very sadly and unfortunately, the, University of Lagos, being an Ivory Tower is hell bent on churning out insufficiently equipped graduates.

“We hereby encourage students to remain strong and affirmative at this critical moment as we have already sought both legal and political counsels and are taking steps already. Be sure that in the end, victory is certain.”