Tag: Union

The return of students’ unionism at the University of Lagos (UNILAG) has given birth to three ideological groups, which have a large students’ followership. The school does not recognise the groups. Their members must respect the law to operate on the campus, write CHIMA AZUBUIKE, DIPO MOHAMMED and VICTOR AGBOOLA (400-Level Philosophy).

The return of students’ unionism at the University of Lagos (UNILAG), after a 10-year ban, has given rise to a new political culture.

Some political tendencies with contradicting ideologies have emerged. The aim is to grab power for the good of students.

Three groups – the Progressive, the Redemption and the Transformation – constitute the major political teams on campus. They were founded to provide sustainable and pragmatic leadership for students.

Their influence is reflecting on politically-inclined students. Their support base is becoming wider because of the support they have on the campus. Although the groups have distinct ideological orientations, they collaborate to forge a common front in elections.

Despite winning the Students’ Union Government (SUG) election, the Progressive believes it could only lead by collaborating with the Transformation group, which has only a member in the executive. The groups have become a melting pot for achieving the union’s objectives.

The groups started at the Faculty of Social Sciences, which is reputed on campus as the home of union politics. They spread to other faculties and became political parties of sort. The Redemption group is believed to be a “child of necessity”, which was formed to stabilise the emerging ideological blocks.

Investigation by CAMPUSLIFE showed that each ideological group was formed to insulate the union from management influence. It is believed that any student-leader who hobnobs with the school authorities would lose students’ support.

The Progressive Chairman, Surajudeen Adebakin, a 300-Level Psychology student, described the group as a political forum that develops students for leadership. He said the aim of the group could be understood from its slogan: “leadership for service”.

Surajudeen pointed out that the Progressive is a platform for students to learn the art of politics, maintaining that the group is ideologically-inclined and politically structured. According to him, diplomacy remains a key point of the group’s ideals.

He said: “The Progressive maintains good communication, because when people say things, they have to say it in the right way. The group is made up of students with high intellect and individuals of high political pedigree, who are not only focused on service delivery but have good conduct and ideals.”

The Transformation General Secretary, Gbenga Ogunjimi, a 200-Level Psychology student, said the group comprises those, who believe politics is a purpose-driven venture, to maintain high discipline, transparency and accountability as core values.

He said the group derived its philosophy from the necessity that gave rise to the change slogan in the country. He said: “We see elective offices as a trust. The process of nominating a candidate for election is based on recommendations of committee of enquiry, which is set up to investigate the conduct and achievements of candidates.

We do this to restore values to our unionism.”

On the groups’ strategy for future political participation, Gbenga said Transformation’s immediate goal is to spread its tentacles across faculties.

Redemption was founded before the inauguration of the union parliament to redirect power struggle and position its members for election into the parliament.

Its Chairman, Olawale Dasaolu, a 500-Level Law student, said members felt students were divided, hence, the need to balance the political tendencies. Olawale said equality was the key point in forming the group. He said: “The level of acceptance by students determines the level of success of a political group. We believe offices of the Students’ Union should be shared demographically, in a way that will give all faculties and Halls of Residence equal and adequate representation.”

While the groups have their objectives and programmes, their legitimacy remains questionable. The Deputy Dean of Students’ Affairs, Dr Karo Ogbinaka, said the groups are  illegal. The constitution of the union, he said, does not recognise any group.

Ogbinaka said the groups could not prevent non-ideological students from standing for election. He said the institution would not stop students from forming political groups, if they conduct themselves well.

Political groups, he said, would  evolve in any society, adding that it is important to check if the ideologies and manifestos of the groups are beneficial to students to enable them garner support.

He said: “So long as they have not broken the rules, there is no problem with any student or group of students proclaiming ideology. If the activities of the political groups become a culture, students will be able to form coalition, which is a good thing. But students must be vigilant so that the groups will not be hijacked by unscrupulous elements seeking any available platform to cause trouble and breed unhealthy rivalry them.”

While the groups are not recognised by the school, they draw a large students’ followership.

Each group shares similar aspirations, goals and ideologies with the other. The aims are geared towards providing quality representation for students.

 

 

As students of Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH), Lagos return to the campus,  they are urging the management to unban their union, which was banned after a violent election in which a candidate was hit by a stray bullet. MARK ORGU (Education Management) writes.

In March 10, all hell was let loose at the Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH),  Lagos, following the crisis that rocked the Students’ Union Government (SUG) election. A candidate, Michael Adeleke, was hit by stray bullet.

The management stopped the  election and proscribed the union. The school banned protest and social activities, saying students who violated the order would face dire consequences. Some candidates in the election were also suspended.

It is two months after the incident and there seems to be no hope that the ban would be lifted soon. Students said they have learnt their lessons; they are urging the management to deproscribe the union.

However, it is not clear if the management will accede to their request.  Some officials believe that the situation is not yet stable for the union to return.

Some leaders of departmental associations said it would be boring if the management did not lift ban on the union and social activities.

But, in what looked like a hope on the horizon for the union, the Dean of Students’ Affairs (DSA), Mr Omobayo Raheem, held a close-door meeting with presidential candidates in the aborted election, Olawale Shabiolegebe, an Office Technology Management student, Akeem Adeniyi, a Hospitality Catering Management student and Emmanuel Awoleye, an Electrical Engineering student. Oladele Lawal, a co-contestant, was absent.

The meeting had in attendance, sub-Dean, Mr Lawrence Imafidon, Head of Welfare Department, Mr Isaac Orisasona, security personnel and representatives of students.

Although the details of the meeting remain sketchy but a source said its objective was to unravel the cause of the violence, which marred the election and to ensure the incident did not repeat itself should the management lifts the ban.

The source said meeting raised hope that the management may restore the union and declare the winner of the election or conduct a re-run.

A presidential candidate, who pleaded not to be named, said the meeting became necessary because they did not know the reason for their suspension.

Raheem, who later spoke with CAMPUSLIFE, said the presidential candidates were suspected to have engaged in election malpractices, which triggered the violence. “They all wanted to win at all cost, so the situation became rowdy and to prevent breakdown of law and order, the management had to act fast by suspending students’ unionism and referring the key candidates to Students’ Disciplinary Committee,” he said.

The DSA said the management remained undecided whether to restore the union or not, but he added that outcome of the investigation by the school security would determine the next line of action. He said all candidates, who contested in the election were being investigated, assuring that anybody found guilty would be made to face the consequences.

Raheem said there were irregularities and attempt to rig the election, which led to the violence. He said the Rector, Dr Margaret Ladipo, directed that the masterminds of the violence should not go unpunished. “The Rector has directed the Students’ Disciplinary Committee to do everything within its capacity to bring the perpetrators of the mayhem to book,” Raheem said.

The Dean assured students of conducive environment as the college prepares for resumption of session. The Dean also debunked the rumour that the victim of the violence, Michael, who contested for Social Director, is not dead. He said the victim would resume hale and hearty.