DSUST PROPOSED SCHOOL FEE:NANS ,NADESTU AND JCC MEETS MANAGEMENT,REINSTATE EMBATTLED SUG PRESIDENT

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In continuation of our agitations for a conducive, qualitative and serene environment but affordable tuition fees for the overall interests of the Nigerian students and her parents, earlier today the leadership of National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) Zone B led by the Deputy Coordinator His Excellency General Dio Oghale-Emejoereda Emeka Rex and the leadership of National Association of Delta State Students led by the national president Comr Nkwor Gabriel and Joint Campus Committee led by her chairman Comrade Precious Madjemite met with the management of Delta State University of Science and Technology Ozoro. Remember the leadership of NANS on the 22nd of February met with the honorable commissioner for higher education and the Vice Chancellors of the state owned universities to register her displeasure over the outrageous school fee schedule and the continuous neglect of the students union leadership, and it was further agreed that the leadership should meet with the various management of the institutions. In consolidation of the aforementioned, today on a further consultation and consolidation the leadership of NANS and NADESTU visited the office of the Vice Chancellor of Delta State University of Science and Technology Ozoro, the Vice Chancellor Professor Jacob Snapp Oboreh whom received the delegation gave an insight on the proposed school fee schedule noting that while he understand that times are hard the essence of quality and sound education should not be jeopardized. In continuation the VC noted that the school fee schedule is termed proposed due to the fact that the university is a new university hence do not have any earlier schedule fee payment and also as proposed it is subsequent to review. In response to the Vice Chancellor’s insight, the deputy coordinator of NANS Zone B appreciated the VC for his readiness and willingness for negotiation, he noted that the leadership of NANS do not have any issue with the management neither with the institution per say rather agitating for a just course as we remain the voice of the voiceless, hope of the hopeless Nigerian students. As stakeholders in educational sector and partner in development it was expected that while preparing the proposed school fee schedule the management would have abreast the leadership of Nigerian students and hold-on to our contributions by so doing our interest would have been protected fully, the deputy coordinator noted. Furthermore the deputy coordinator continued that the leadership of NANS maintains it earlier position of 70,000 to 100,000 naira benchmark for tuition fee in the newly established university which the leadership seems to likely be at the higher rate but due to the economic situation knowing fully well that things have skyrocketed and the cost for running an institution is not cheap, we consider this as fare enough for both parties. Also, recall that the students union president of the defunct Delta State Polytechnic Ozoro has been queried twice for insubordination and disobedience and also made to face disciplinary committee, the deputy coordinator knowing fully well what the decision of the committee might likely look like, intervened by soliciting that the management should not take further actions on the union president whose crime was only lending his voice with other comrades as regards to the proposed school fee schedule should not be penalized, so things won’t be complicated for both parties. The Vice Chancellor in response to the appeal by the deputy coordinator, approved that the union president be exonerated of any sanction or panel and he should be of good behavior henceforth, noting that the reasons for his queries were due to the inciting words he was using in the social media which is tantamount to bridge the peaceful existence in the institution. The meeting became tougher again as both the management and the students leadership find it difficult to have a compromise and agree on a particular price for tuition fee as NANS maintains their proposed position of 70,000 to 100,000 naira. The Special Assistant on Students Affairs to the Governor, Pedro Chibuzo Obi-OssaiDibie who was an observer appeal to both parties to go back to the drawing board, make more and further consultations and a later date should be fixed for the meeting so both parties will have a way forward. Photo Credit; Campus Reporters Media Madjemite Precious CHAIRMAN, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIAN STUDENT/JOINT CAMPUS COMMITTEE (NANS/JCC)

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