By Ayodele Oladimeji Blackey
I have read positions/accusations and counter positions/counter accusations on the much touted AAUA fee hike. I further read a statement from the supposed AAUA Students’ Union accusing the new Chairman of the Governing Council, Dr. Tunji Abayomi, of stating that the fees will be increased to #200,000.
I begin to wonder if our expected future leaders really know the roles of the Governing council. Decisions such as increment of fees and to what extent can not be determined by an individual. Thus, this negates the statement released by the AAUA Students’ Union accusing Dr. Tunji Abayomi of singlehandedly increasing the AAUA fees. Deliberating or believing the proposed #200,000 fee which emanated from the AAUASU is needless. It is a FALSE alarm borne out of the urge to be heard by the current youthful custodians of the AAUASU mantle of leadership.
On fee increment, it is only superior arguments that will see the light of the day not emotions or political sentiments. I implore the AAUSU to go back to their arsenal and get armed with facts anf figures. The debate on fee hike is beyond press release and cheap blackmail. The debate must be centred around progressive tenets of decorum, civility, common sense and the prevailing economic reality obtainable on ground. We must ask questions.
Haven read the government’s position on the urgent need for an upward review of fees across board, among which is that, for us to have quality education, it will not come cheap. The AAUASU must begin to ask questions. Such as:
1. How does increment in school fees translates to quality education?
2. From the history of various increment over the years, has any fee hike translated directly or indirectly to quality education?
3 (a). Is the government subsidising education in AAUA?
3 (b). If YES, how much is the government using to subsidise education in AAUA?
3 (c). If NO, why has the government failed to subsidise education in AAUA?
4. What is the standard of education in AAUA compared to other sister institutions across the country?
5. What is the model being deployed by previous governments to maintain the standard of education in AAUA and at what cost?
6 (a). Is the model deployed by previous governments sustainable or not?
6 (b). If YES, then why does the present government want to change a proven model?
6 (c). If NO, can the present government give cogent reasons for the need for change in the model?
7. How accountable has both the State Government and the AAUA Management been with AAUA subvention?
8. How many students do we actually have in AAUA?
9. How much does their paid fee amount to?
10. What is the exact running cost of AAUA – both recurrent and capital cost?
Lots of questions must be asked.
The AAUA Students leaders must begin to consult relevant authorities, mother and father unions and stakeholders such as ASUU, NLC, NASU, AAUA Alumni etc. This struggle must be seen as a collective one as the mother and father unions must also seize this opportunity to demand a corresponding increase in the minimum wage in conformity with the present day realities. If the government can push an argument of saying the AAUA fees does not conform with current realities. So must our parents push for a corresponding increase in salary to conform with current economic realities.
I must state that the imbroglio between the people and the government is not that of fee increment but that of TRUST. The downtrodden can not guarantee that any increment in fee will translate to quality education or increase in the standard of our education. An example of trust between the government and the governed is that of GEJ and Oil subsidy and PMB and Oil subsidy. GEJ was unable to remove oil subsidy while PMB successfully implemented the removal at the beginning of his administration while still enjoying goodwill of the people back then. TRUST is the basis of resistance.
In addition, we must be wary of emergency activist who will want to use this struggle as a means to gaining cheap popularity or score political points. There is a clear difference between opposition and activism. We must not allow politicians who have their wards studying abroad take advantage of this situation in disguise of being on the side of the masses.
I also have seen diatribe written to attack a former Students’ Union President, Comrade Adebiyi Mayowa “Angel Mayor” on his position on this issue. This is totally uncalled for, as it is expected that the present crop of students leaders need to extend consultations to past Union leaders for guidance. Like the the Yoruba proverb says “omode le ni aso bi agba, sugbon ko oo le ni akisa bi agba”.
Furthermore, the AAUASU should desist from cheap blackmail of Dr. Tunji Abayomi’s personality as he has a long standing history of standing with the masses, activism, and integrity that so many of us are looking up to. He will not give in to cheap blackmail.
In conclusion, the government must be willing to make provision for palliative if at all there will be increment.
Ayodele Oladimeji Blackey writes from the Sunshine state capital.
[email protected], 07085005960