NOUN Students Threaten School VC In Face-off, Issue 7-day Ultimatum

Students of the National Open University of Nigeria
(NOUN) have issued a seven-day warning to the
Vice Chancellor of the institution, Professor Vincent
Ado Tenebe, over some demands or face damning
consequences.
In a letter made available to Naij.com and signed
by the students' representative, Abdulrazaq
Hamzat, the students discussed series of issues,
askijng the school head to take actions as soon as
possible or face the unpleasant events that might
follow his negligence.
The letter reads:
The Vice Chancellor
National Open University of Nigeria,
14/16 Murtala Muhammed Way,
Victoria Island, Lagos.
Sir,
. STUDENTS HAVE RIGHT
It is with deep respect and all sense of honor, duty
and responsibility that we write to your most
respected office, on the deliberate and calculated
attempt to deny students of National Open
University of Nigeria the right to develop their
leadership, analytical, social and administrative
skills through a well coordinated student
association.
Since the establishment of the National Open
University of Nigeria (NOUN), the management has
thwarted several moves by students to form a
student union like it is prevalent in other
universities across the world. You have done so
without providing any reason as a defense for this
unlawful decision. We say it is unlawful because, it
violates section 40 of the 1999 Constitution of the
Federal Republic of Nigeria which clearly states
that:
'Every person shall be entitled to assemble freely
and associate with other persons, and in particular
he may form or belong to any political party, trade
union or any other association for the protection of
his interests'.
As a result of lack of Student Union in the Open
University, the students of this noble University has
been looked down upon by the society and their
voice lost among comity of students. They have
been disregarded, disrespected and looked down
upon as less students among both academic and
none academics alike. We have been denied a
chance to speak for our institution when other
students are speaking. This is a grave injustice
against the students of this institution.
While students are yet to fully understand the
rationale behind the decision of the management,
we are not unaware that one of the cogent reason
that birthed this discouragement of student union
is the fear that a Union of Students will vigorously
checkmate perceived injustice and abuse of
students' rights in the University, but that is not
enough justification. We wish to remind the
management that, it is a well known fact that, a
university is a place to acquire knowledge. One of
the major skills to acquire in the university is the
academic skills. But beyond academic skill, there
are others skills that must be developed in the
university which if properly acquired, would go a
long way in helping students after graduation to
properly connect with the society and possess all
relevant skills to excel in life.
Those other skills cannot be developed by reading
books, they can only be developed through a
vibrant student association, where students are
required to formulate ideas, engage in intellectual
discuss, lead, socialize, develop both political and
administrative skills as well as communicate and
interact with student leaders from other
institutions.
That the management of Open University fails to
understand that a Student Union will advance and
enhance students' managerial, analytical,
intellectual, political and administrative skills
remains a puzzle.
Furthermore, it should be recalled that, the idea of
establishing an Open University in Nigeria was
strongly influenced by the success of other Open
Universities across the world, but it appears
suspicious to us why the management of Nigeria's
Open University copied all but deliberately ignored
the idea of a Student Union.
The UK's Open University has what it calls Open
University Students Association (OUSA). According
to the evidence contained in the documents at our
disposal, the UK Open University Students
Association played a vital role by popularizing the
university through its numerous events, brand
items, magazines, advocacy on media and many
other activities.
In addition, there exist Students Association in
India and China Open Universities. They followed
the path of UK Open University, having realized the
outstanding role played by their Students
Association in ensuring student awareness and
shaping public perception about the institution,
plus adding value to the quality of management's
policies.
These are facts that the management will struggle
to crumple into the waste basket since evidence on
this abound.
Consequently, we demand that the management of
NOUN provides cogent reasons for their violation
of the Nigerian constitution in whose territory the
university operates. We are disturbed that a group
of learned people who ought to be advocates of the
Rule of Law have resorted to all forms of efforts in
their quest to cripple justice in their favor.
We must therefore inform that, this is a new era at
the university in which justice, transparency and
accountability will be our guiding principles.
It is an era of change, and this change will not leave
without paying a visit to NOUN. We demand that
the management of NOUN reverses its illegal
policy of no-students union within 7 days or we
shall be left with no alternative but to seek other
peaceful means of asserting our rights as
Nigerians citizens. It must be noted that, students
have right, not one conferred on them by the
university, but one which they posses as humans,
conferred on them through the universal
declaration of human rights and then the Nigerian
constitution.
Should the management fail to follow the path of
honor, the students shall not hesitate to ensure
fairness and justice for itself through all peaceful
means.
Finally, we are the major stake holder in this
university and as such, we owe ourselves the duty
to protect its image through all legal means. We
shall not continue to keep silent in face of abuse of
our fundamental human rights.
Thank you.
Abdulrazaq O Hamzat
President
Congress of Noun Students.
https://www.naij.com/529844-noun-students-school-
vc-face-off-issue-7-day-ultimatum-face-
consequences.html
Thanks For Reading.
I will like to hear your suggestion by hitting the
comment box