Interview: New Fees increment will send students out of school – UNIJOS student activist
SPEC: Hello, can we meet you?
DOUGLAS: I am Comrade Iortyom Moses Douglas, a law student at the University of Jos and a Socialist Historian
SPEC: Do you think student loan is a good idea?
DOUGLAS: I don’t think the student loan is a good idea, as the conditions for obtaining the loan are herculean besides anyone who can meet the requirements definitely doesn’t need the loan in the first place.
SPEC: What is your opinion on the wildfire of school fees increment?
DOUGLAS: The ridiculous wildfire of outrageous increments in school fees across several federal universities is worrisome, as it intends to rob the economically less fortunate masses of their right to freedom of education, I see it triggering a tsunami of school dropouts if not reversed with immediate effect.
SPEC: The new fee regime started with UNIABUJA, followed by UNILAG and Now OAU and UNIJOS, what do you think we should do to fight back?
DOUGLAS: I feel the government should immediately withdraw the outrageous increment without delay and should the government fail, the general public should rise up to the occasion to save the tertiary education system
SPEC: What happened with the two days’ protests by UNIJOS?
DOUGLAS: It was alleged by security agencies that according to their intelligence, third parties were out to hijack the peaceful protest to cause a breakdown of law and order. However, I strongly feel it’s just a normal way for the government to shy away from confronting issues head-on and settling them, they will rather choose to dillydally and promote the evil day. I call on the student community not to back down until our demands are met and the fee hike dropped utterly owing to the current economic situation experienced by a majority of Nigerians.
SPEC: What is the mood of UNIJOS students after the Protest?
DOUGLAS: The mood is mixed, some are determined to press on with the demands, and some might look frustrated but on the whole, we’re resolved to take the bull by the horns through whatever legal way possible.
SPEC: What is the reaction of students’ union leaders?
DOUGLAS: The students’ union has been up and doing in their own way to get a way out of this treacherous situation, they’re aware the students are expecting a whole lot from them, their credibility and capabilities
SPEC: Can you afford the school fees?
DOUGLAS: No honestly I can’t, it’s a 300% increment in school fees at this period is a crime against the poor Nigerian students seeking to get educated.
SPEC: What can you propose as an alternative to fee increment?
DOUGLAS: The government should rather increase its funding for the educational sector and also
seek other viable ways of financing education byy stopping jumbo pay for political office holders.