Suspend The Upgrading Process Of OSCOED-Ilesa, Let Due Process Take Course – NANS Appeals To Osun State Government

THE STUDENTS’ UNION STAND AND POSITION ON THE UPGRADING OF OSUN STATE COLLEGE OF EDUCATION ILESHA TO UNIVERSITY, AND THE REASON GOVERNMENT MUST LISTEN TO OUR DEMAND AND BE READY TO DO THE NEEDFUL.

Below read the full statement signed by the office of the deputy president of NANS and sent to The Eaglesforesight correspondent:

“Solidarity greetings to the Osun State Government and the entire Student Populace!”

“Sequel to the enactment of Osun State College of Education, Ilesa, into a fully-fledged Degree awarding institution by the Oyetola-led Osun State Government on the 23rd of September, 2022, findings revealed that the State House of Assembly seem to have overlooked and underestimated the legislative processes and underpinnings as regard the upgrading process.”

“The proper processes for the enactment of any bill into law include the Introduction stage, 1st reading, 2nd reading, Report stage, Committee stage, 3rd reading, Executive assent, e.tc. Even if these processes took place, it is evident that there were so done under undue political influence without recourse to the overriding interest of the so-called Nigerian Students. More so, the Public Hearing stage, which is the most important part of assenting to a bill as required by the grund-norm of the State, the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (CFRN) (as amended), was equally not done.”

“This negligence and flagrant disregard for due constitutional process and interest of the generality of students by that Government is tantamount to undermining the sweat of taxpayers that birth the Osun State College of Education as far back as 1977, alongside the efforts of our forefathers.”

”Flowing from the foregoing and as directed for and on behalf of the entire students of the College, we hereby, unequivocally, without fear of favour, state our displeasure and regret with respect to the non-involvement in the enactment and upgrading process, to say the least, non-consultation or involvement of the students’ leadership at any stage of the hurriedly done upgrading process. For instance, the committee constituted by the Speaker, Osun State House of assembly failed to carry all the major stakeholders on campus along, let alone avail an opportunity for students’ constructive feedback, contributions, or suggestions.”

“As if that were not enough, Local Government Elections which the government failed to do for years, was done in a kangaroo like manner. All thanks to our competent court that invalidated same as not being in compliance with the spirit and letters of the Electoral Law.”

”In-addition, appointments were hurriedly made in wee hours in a bid to complicate governance for the newly sworn in Governor, Ademola Nurudeen Jackson Adeleke. Even our dearly beloved school was not spared in the fraudulent appointment, as the Oyetola-led State Government chose to slaughter competency and meritocracy at the altar of mere politicking, malicious intent, politics of favoritism and segregation.”

“As students, we totally frown against all of these, and we therefore make the following demands of the newly sworn in Governor Ademola Adeleke State government, in line with his constitutionality, readiness and goodwill for the people as demonstrated by the executive order in his inauguration address for the change to Osun State – State of the Living Spring, from State of Osun – State of the Virtuous:

I. The temporal halt of the upgrading exercise of Osun State College of Education, Ilesa, to allow smooth and cordial dialogue between the students’ leadership, the state government and other concerned bodies.
II. Probable ways the currents sets of students in the school can benefit from the upgrading process.
III. The immediate review of all appointments within the governing council made in the wee hours, especially those who replaced officials whose tenure are yet to expire

We look forward to receiving a swift response of the State Government in due course, and we as well seize this opportunity to state and restate our readiness to work with the state government on student inclusive policies.

Thanks in anticipation.

Yours in Nation Building,

Comrade Ekundina Segun Elvis
Deputy Senate President, NANS National.