Unilag student union reborn after 10 years
Student unionism in the University of Lagos (UNILAG) has been restored with the swearing in of the University of Lagos Student Union (ULSU) executives by the school management.
This comes after 10 years of a postscript on student union activities in the school, after a protest by the union led to destruction of properties and disruption of the academic calendar.
In his speech, Rahamon Ade Bello, the vice chancellor, UNILAG, charged the students to avoid all forms of violence, saying that consultation was better.
“I want to plead with the students to protect this. It has taken 10 years to get here today. This is the time for consultative engagement as we have an open-door policy on all issues before it develops into crisis,” he said.
“The electoral system may have not been perfect, but once it is fair, it should be accepted. There is zero tolerance for hooliganism. Nobody must infringe on another person’s rights. We forbid all form of external influence.
“The management of UNILAG has fulfilled its own side of the bargain. We are allowing a level playing ground for student unionism. We have approved a take-off grant for the union, and have rehabilitated the student union building to enhance a smooth take-over of your office.”
The vice-chancellor then announced that permission had been granted for cross-gender visitations in the student hostels.
“I had promised to look into the issue of cross-gender visitation in the hostels. Let me announce that cross-gender visitation will be allowed from May 1st 2015. All hall masters and mistresses have been informed”.
This elicited a loud noise of celebration, ovation and cheers by the students who were overjoyed with the news.
Tunde Babawale, a professor and dean of students’ affairs, UNILAG, also called on ULSU to become a role model for all other universities in the country.
“It is our hope that ULSU will become a model for all other universities in Nigeria. You must serve as models to other students in your daily conduct. You must take it as your first assignment to know more than those you are serving,” he said.
“We have learnt from our past mistakes. Your leadership and defence of other students you lead should take account of their character and learning.”
Martins Abiodun, ULSU president and student of the department of science and technology education, promised to maintain the peace of the institution.
“Ours will be a union which encourages academic excellence, peaceful coexistence and uninterrupted academic calendar,” he said.
“We will embrace an atmosphere of respect for constituted authority while engaging in dialogue to drive home our grievance. Today, I am asking every one of you to help me give you the government you deserve”.
This is great news. I just hope that it will be run successfully, with no fights, corruption or violence. As for the cross gender visitation rights, I believe it’s awesome, one would wonder why they were banned in the first place .
These students that blocked third mainland bridge in protest of name change when they had no union. Only God knows what they will do now that they have union, let’s just hope they consult like the VC advised.