Date Published: 04/29/09

ANOTHER ARBITRARY INCREASE

By Okechukwu Keshi Ukegbu

        The students of Abia State University and their counterparts in Imo State University are now joined in one fate. The recent increase by the management of Imo State University (IMSU) provoked a peaceful protest among the students of the University last week.

        From the increase, old students are now to pay N30, 000 instead of the initial N12,500. Fresh student are to pay N50, 000 instead o the initial N25, 000, while postgraduates students are to pay N100, 000. Though the students alleged that 3 of them were killed by the police, the Acting Commissioner of Police in the State, Alhaji Ahmed Yusuf refutes the allegation, claiming that no casualty was recorded.

        As usual, the indiscriminate increase has attracted the anger of some concerned Nigerians. Barrister Uche Wisdom Duruke the National Vice President of (Civil Liberties organization (CLO) reacting to the issue condemned the increase. According to him, the increase is uncalled for at this era of global economic meltdown. This argument is anchored on the fact that the meltdown has dis-empowered a lot of people and as such majority of the parents would not be able to afford to pay the new fee regime.

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        “If there is one area we need to do something in Imo State it is the area of education. The increase is not encouraged at this time of global economic meltdown when many people are disempowered economically. This would force many students to drop”, Barrister Durueke noted.

        The human rights lawyer further blamed the situation on the members of the state house of assembly whop he described as sleeping and insensitive to critical issues. “The members of the House of Assembly went to sleep”. Those are the kind of issues the people expect to hear their voice loud and clear,” he further stated.

        According to Elder C. G. Alozie a management consultant, increase in that region is astronomical. He also argued that the economy in Imo State does not support such increase “Increase in that region is astronomical. There are no hostels in IMSU, which could have reduced some of the expenses the students incur in transport. Beside another consideration those who initiate such arbitrary increase could have made is the economic situation of the state. Imo state is not one of the states with high allocation profile. There is no high industrial presence in the state. I am pleading with Imo State governor to reconsider its stance on the issue, “Elder Alozie pleads.

        Certain events in the University have branded it as a nest of curruption, illegality and undemocratic practices. Barrister Uche Durueke painted the situation thus: “Imo State University is the only school in the state that is still selling handouts. Before you collect your project topic you have to pay N5, 000 and before you submit your project you have to cough out N10, 000

        According to one student, who would want his identity protected the worst hit is the department of history and international students. The student described the department as where anything can go. This situation prolongs the engagement of graduates in the compulsory one-year National Youth Service.

        Dr. Jude Ohanele, the president of National vanguard for Democracy (NVD) in his contribution stated thus: “ IMSU is one of the most undemocratic institutions in Imo State. We support all peaceful and lawful efforts by the students to democratize IMSU.

        Last year when Governor Ikedi Ohakim inaugurated a visitation panel to dig into University affairs from 2004 to 2008, the move generated controversy, especially among the staff of the University. In a joint statement by the Unions, they asked the governor to adjust the period to 1992 when the institution was relocated.

        The argument of the unions was based on the fact that the directive to commence the prove from 2004 was inconsistent with the report of the administrative panel of enquiry into appointments in the public service inaugurated by former governor, Chief Achike Udemnwa. The unions further argued that the directive to commence the probe from 2004 was targeted on the then administration of the vice chancellor, Professor Innocent Okonkwo.

        According to Gov. Ohakim’s speech during the inauguration of the panel, his office was inundated with unpleasant reports on the going on in the university. According to him, the university wears a negative image that earned it the name “Imo State Commercial University.”

The Governor further stated that staff indiscipline, lawlessness, mediocrity, corruption, administrative incompetence, falsification of students grades and examination malpractices have become the order of the day. He capped his speech with the statement that admissions of students, award of degrees and certificates are given to the highest bidder.

On the other hand, the government is also allegedly indicted in the mess in the institution. Sources claimed that the government is culpable in the admission rackets in the university. Claiming that over 100 names emanated from Imo government in 2007/2008-admission exercise.