The Socialist Youth League (SYL) categorically condemns the 280% increment of hostel accommodation fees by the College of Nursing Sciences, Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital (EKSUTH), Ado-Ekiti and the indefinite suspension slammed on Seluwa Oluwaseun Vincent by the management for speaking out against this. We extend our solidarity support to the victimised student who is being scapegoated by the draconian EKSUTH management for daring to protest against this arbitrary and excessive increment.
The suspension of Seluwa Vincent is only the most recent display of tyranny by the college administrators. It should be noted that the same college has deliberately proscribed students’ union activities. College authorities such as the Students Affairs Officer, Mrs Ayodele have resorted to verbal abuse against students, invasion of privacy and all manner of bullying. Of students, on numerous occasions. This is unacceptable and should have no place in any modern institution, let alone in a tertiary educational institution.
Meanwhile, the college administrators have at no time addressed the deplorable state of living conditions students have been subjected to. It is also important to note that Vincent is not alone in protesting against the draconian fee hike, and, in fact, parents of students have also taken the action of condemning the increment – as well as the negligence of the management regarding the current system of students’ welfare and learning conditions.
The root of the crisis bedevilling public education is underfunding and the responsibility should fall on the government, not students and their poor parents who are already embattled by economic hardship. And, the arbitrary increment of fees that has become normalised in our public education system is symptomatic of the exploitative economic system that prioritises profit maximisation while bringing untold hardship to the masses of the youths and working people.
The SYL demands the UNCONDITIONAL REINSTATEMENT of Vincent and the immediate reversal of fees to the status quo ante, at the very least. We take note of ongoing intervention of the state government to resolve the situation, in the wake of mass outcry at the suspension of Seluwa Vincent. But we must make it clear, there can be no positive resolution apart from full reversal of the increment and immediate reinstatement of Seluwa Vincent.
In this light, we are fully in support of the proposed protest action by the ASONIS-Ekiti chapter, and other student bodies, that has been slated for tomorrow, 22nd of April, 2025. The struggle continues until victory is won.
Dare to struggle, dare to win!
Kayode Somtochukwu ANI
SYL National Coordinator
