Students of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, Osun State have appealed to President Goodluck Jonathan to reduce their tuition or be ready to face their wrath during forthcoming presidential election.The Student Union President, Mr. Isaac Ibikunle, and the Secretary, Mr. Oludare Bamidele, stated this in a statement.Jonathan met briefly with the student union leaders when he attended a political meeting organised by some Yoruba leaders in the university.
Ibikunle then told our correspondent that the President promised to act fast to reduce the fees in the university.
He noted that high tuition was making many students from poor background to drop out of school.
But in the statement on Monday, the student leaders said that students would work against the president if he failed to reduce the tuition.
It read, “The leadership of the students’ union has submitted a protest letter to President Goodluck Jonathan concerning the following demands among others: That our hiked fees be reversed to the status quo and embargo placed on increment in other federal institutions.
“That there is the need for improvement in the welfare of students vis-a-vis construction and equipping of qualitative hostels, lecture theatres, and laboratories.
“That the Federal Government should follow the UNESCO 26 per cent budgetary allocation to education and ensure its proper funding.
“Sunday, December 28, marks one full month of the President’s visit to our campus. Your Excellency, sir, we believe that our demands are the least your government can meet as far as education is concerned.
“We are not oblivious of the stressful demands of governance as well as efforts being made towards securing your second term in office. However, we as the conscience of the nation, consider meeting the few demands of ours as practically exigent national needs that could even have effect on your second term bid.
“Despite the six months of our life given to ASUU struggle in 2013, many of us have had cause to stay at home for some two or three more months in 2014 due to struggles against hike in fees. We in OAU may have no other option but to mobilise our rank and file against the Jonathan/Sambo second term campaign if these demands are not met immediately.”
