Olu.Babalola,Ibadan
Authorities of The Polytechnic Ibarapa in Oyo State and some products of the Institution are at loggerheads with one another over the failure of the Polytechnic to formalise the mobilisation of the former students for the mandatory national Youth Service Scheme.
Dr.Iyiola Eyitayo,the Rector ofofwas the Polytechnic was accused of failure to release the certificates of those who were due to proceed for the National youth scheme.
The students described the non challance of the authorities to their plight as an act of tyranny and inimical to their prospect in life.
Their grievances was contained in a communique signed on Wednesday by the FOSSU National Senate President, Com. Oke Wasiu Ayinde and made available to news men in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, .
It was also copied to the Oyo State Commissioner of Police, CP Shina Olukolu, Department of State Security Service, Oyo state Command, and Commissioner for Education, Oyo state, Prof. Joseph Olowofela.
According to him "This act is not only highly disturbing and unacceptable, it also falls short of what is supposed to be obtainable in a civilized and sane environment. It is uncontested that the development of any nation or state can only be measured by the quality of her education. However, this consciousness is fast waning in our institutions.".
The FOSSU president asked," how would an institution, in its glamorous irresponsibility, offer admission to students to study unaccredited courses and at the same time confer counterfeit certificates on graduating that these acts are not only devilish but also dubious and should attract a severe penalty.
"Students are paying thousands of nairas as tuition fees and other charges for courses identical to those endorsed by professional bodies – but which are unaccredited. Institutions are expected to ensure that students' experience matches their expectations".
He reiterated that it also come to their notice that the Rector issued an order to the security personnel to open fire on students, which is unpalatable and uncalled for, and if true. Uncouth words and statements that are capable of inciting violence are not expected to emanate from the mouth of a good leader.
"The position of the Rector is held on a pedestal that anything short of democratic principles with the occupant will amount to despotism".
In lieu of this, the National Body hereby prevails upon the management to immediately:
" Mobilize qualified students for the National Youth Service Corps programme;
Review and reverse anti-student policies on the campus;
"Review the accreditation status of every course in the institution and work towards their accreditation;
". Make the accreditation status of courses in the institution accessible to prospective students; and Provide good learning environment that facilitates effective teachings learning process.
Oke emphasised that anything short of the above resolutions would attract an utmost resistance from the Union, and the union would vehemently resist any attempt to mortgage the future of Nigeria students.
He however said that as a show of solidarity and empathy, the National Body of FOSSU throws its whole weight behind the peaceful protest scheduled by the institution's student union body to hold very soon
"As Nigerian students, we will never tolerate the unwarranted assault on our fundamental human rights to freedom of expression in the country,he said
The Public Relations Officer of the Polytechnic could not be reached as at press time for the official defence of the school and what is being done to address the problem.
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