Written by: Palmer Ogheneyole Nathaniel
The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) Delta State chapter, has expressed sadness over the crisis which yesterday engulfed the Delta State Polytechnic, Otefe-Oghara, leading to the death of 3 students and the closure of the school by its management.
NANS in a widely circulated Press statement jointly signed by its Chairman, Comr. Majemite Precious and secretary Epechi Bright, which was made available to this medium, noted that the students are always at the receiving end of the crisis of this nature, wondering why political and social leaders of the institution’s host community kept mute when the crisis started, and allowed it to degenerate to the extent of leading to the untimely death of students and the eventual closure of the institution.
The group said, “the leadership of NANS received with displeasure, the closure and temporary shutting down of Academic activities of the Delta State Polytechnic Otefe-Oghara by her management without considering the burdens of the Nigerian Students and her guidance/parents. The Nigerian Students over time have always been at the receiving end without considering the elongation of tenants hostel fee, age addition etc, while the Nigerian Students are yet to recover from the COVID-19 break and ASUP Nationwide strike, it is disheartening, and quite pathetic that the host community have decided to toe the path of making the Institution unbearable for our students with the tag of Community Youth Crash.
“The Leadership of NANS wish to state unequivocally that the Polytechnic Community is an independent community of it’s own, hence it’s affairs should not be determined by the host community. The Leadership also wish to register her grievance over the conduct of the Nigerian Army on the path toed by shooting a Nigerian Students who is reportedly receiving medical attention in one of the health facilities in the State”.
The union however called on the state governor, Sen. Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa to direct relevant agencies to embark on the perimeter fencing of the institution so as to enhance the security of lives and properties within the campus premises
“It is on this note that the leadership of Nigerian Students after intensive and wide consultations with relevant stakeholders, critical, foot and field soldiers of the Nigerian Students Movement wish to state without fear or favour as follows;
“That His Excellency, the Governor of Delta State should as a matter of necessity declare a state of emergency in the host community and also instruct the Honourable Commissioner for Works, for the immediate fencing of Delta State Polytechnic Otefe-Oghara with adequate funding.
“That the leadership of NANS Delta State is reliably informed that the host community is the community of incumbent sitting State and Federal Legislators, hence we wish to register our displeasure and dissatisfaction over there nonchalant attitudes towards the community youth crash that has been lingering for a while, which has landed to the temporarily closure of our Institution and we wish to bring to their notice that the needful is expected of them, before Nigerian Students will loose confidence in them.
“That the Leadership of NANS condemns in totality the ugly incidence that transpired on Tuesday 24th August 2021, which led to the temporary closure of our Institution and calls for the management and State Government to beef up the security in our Institutions.
“That all arrested and detained Students who were arrested on the prime of suspects/allegations should be released immediately and unconditionally as no Student(s) were caught in the act of what transpired on Tuesday in the classroom after independent investigation on or before 7 working days, else the leadership of NANS would not hesitate to use all legally drastic measures to press home our demands.
“ That the Leadership of NANS is keenly following up what actually transpired on Tuesday and has set-up an investigative independent 7-Man Committee to work closely with security apparatus and to ensure that the perpetrators of such disastrous acts are brought to book.
“The leadership of NANS wish to appreciate the students of Delta State Polytechnic Otefe-Oghara for being resolute, steadfast and committed in their academic pursuit while we reaffirm them of our unflinching and unwavering support, we wish to notify them that their welfare and interest remains our outmost priority and they should exercise a little patience with the management as they will be back on campus in no distant time.
“That the leadership of NANS Delta State, urges the management to call her staff to order; to choose between community position and staff of the Polytechnic”.
The students appreciated the efforts and dedication of the Senior Special Assistant and Special Assistants to the Governor on students affairs for their commitment to students advocacies in the state, while also thanking the Police high commands for the quest to maintain peace and order in the state.
