AAU ASUU Berates Tuition Hike, Describes Action as Anti-People
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma Chapter has berated the institution’s management over what the union described as an “astronomical hike in the tuition fees payable by the students”, just as it also described the action as anti-people and counterproductive.
ASUU’s resentment was contained in a statement signed by Dr. Cyril Oziegbe Onogbosele and Dr. Willam Odion, the University’s Chairman and Assistant Secretary of ASUU respectively and made available to newsmen in Benin City.
The duo said that ASUU denounced the management style of the University Administration in handling the agitations and protests currently rocking the University as a result of astronomical hike in school fees payable in the University.
They stated further that the Union expressed grave concern that the University Administration’s style of shutting the doors of consultation and negotiation against popular demands of the students was unhelpful and disturbing.
ASUU said the University Administration’s refusal to enter into direct dialogue and negotiation with the protesting students’ body is patently draconian and reminiscent of the dark days of undemocratic rule.
They maintained that the Union faulted and condemned the University authorities’ resort to threat, intimidation and repression of students’ rights as evident in the University Management’s query to the student leaders over a call for a Congress of students.
“This is a crude way of handling issues of this nature. Unnecessary grandstanding and arrogance do not resolve issues of this nature. In civilized climes, dialogue is the only tool,” ASUU said.
According to the Union, while the students have been calling for dialogue in the resolution of the issues and problems facing students of the University, the attitude of the University authorities has been that of divide-and-rule tactics and a desperate ploy to destabilize the students’ body and punish the student leaders for daring to demand their rights.
ASUU highlighted that it was unfortunate that, whereas, the University Administration and Special Intervention Team (SIT) lack the courage to convince the Visitor to the University, Governor Godwin Obaseki to adequately fund the University such that it can compete favourably with other universities in Nigeria and globally, they have resorted to increase in school fees, the introduction of all manners of charges for which students, parents and guardians of students and the workers have to bear the brunt.
