You will recall that the management of the University of Jos has dissolved the Students Union Government (SUG) of the University, and in its place, a Five-man
Caretaker Committee has been constituted.
In a press statement signed by the Institution’s
Principal Assistant Registrar, Information and Publications, Abdullahi
Abdullahi, and made available to journalists in Jos.
The statement said, the Vice-Chancellor of the University, Professor
Seddi Sebastian Maimako gave reasons for the dissolution of the Students
Union Government.
It added that the reasons include; “the decision of its members to
convene a meeting of Students without due approval from the Directorate
of Students Affairs which resulted in a protest where the Students were
carrying placards against the School Administration for implementing a
Federal Government directive of new School Charges for all Federal
Government Universities.
The statement further alleged that, “The SUG officials had similarly
mobilized Students to attend the Stakeholders meeting with parents
uninvited and were shouting down parents during the course of the
meeting.
“The Vice-Chancellor adduced other reasons for the dissolution to
include externalizing an internal issue affecting the University without
following the acceptable laid down procedures for conflict resolution
in the University, intimidating and issuing threats to law abiding
Students including fresh Students who are willing to comply with the
payment of the new School Charges.”
According to the statement, the SUG officials were also accused of
maligning the principal officers of the University including the
Vice-Chancellor on various media platforms including the social media
while misinforming members of the public on the action taken by the
University Authorities in the process of implementing the new School
Charges.
The statement maintained that, “Management had on several occasions
invited the SUG officials to dialogue on the matter of the harmonized
school charges for Federal Universities but they had remained
intransigent and refused to see reason”.
According to the Vice-Chancellor, all the actions taken by the
dissolved SUG officials clearly indicate their desire to disrupt the
smooth running of the University.
However, the five-man Caretaker Committee of the Students Union
Government inaugurated include Wuyep Gideon Nansar as Chairman, Timdi
Nkat as Secretary, Yilmazaka Philip Gershinen, Idi Christopher Ishaku
and Ekweozor Chukugozie Nzube as Members.
The Committee were charged to maintain the spirit of discipline and dedication in line with the University’s motto.
But in a swift reaction, the National Association of Plateau State
Students (NAPSS), has demanded the immediate reinstatement of the
Executive arm of the Student Union Government of University of Jos
within the next 72 hours.
This was contained in a press statement signed by NAPSS National
President, Alexander Daklong, and made available to journalists in Jos.
It reads, “The University of Jos is to note, that Plateau State is
enjoying peace today not because of her cowardice, but as a result of
managing situations and tolerance for one another, and the efforts put
in place by the Plateau State Government to ensure peaceful coexistence
of all her citizens through the inclusive leadership style of the Rescue
administration led by Barr. Simon Bako Lalong the Executive Governor of
Plateau state.
“Therefore as the National President of Plateau State students the
host community of University of Jos will not fold my arms and watch the
University management disrupt the relative peace we are enjoying.
“That the increment in the school fees is not just injustice to the
students, but to the Plateau State citizens who are not financially
buoyant to be technically excluded from sending their children to the
University, considering the fact that the University is hosted by
Plateau State, though a Federal government owned institution.
“We are in demand of the downward review of the school fees charges within the next 7 days”.
NAPSS called on all Plateau State students and Plateau sons and
daughters to converge in mass at the Plateau State Polytechnic Jos
campus to match to the University of Jos to make the formal submission
of it demands and take on the issue.
“Note, all Plateau State students and committed citizens must be
oderly, law abiding and must not cause any form of chaos in the course
of our submissions,” the statement warned.