Its no doubt that the Enugu/Professional Campus of the University of Nigeria(UNEC), seems to be a small fraction of Enugu State, No wonder its always Forgotten, and the problems and Challenges of her Members ignored, until its time for another Election!

WHAT IS NOW THE BURNING BUSH AT UNEC: Let's Summarize the Story!
On the 6th of June, 2016, Students of the University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus, Under the student Union, embarked on a 1-Week Sit at Home/Hostel strike action to protest their displeasure at the Outrageous power situation in the University, especially, with regards to the Broken Down University Generator, which provide power for only 2 HOURS in a day of 24 Hours, a situation which they have managed to endure for a period of 2 Months(the entire semester), and running into Exams.
At the End of the 1 week Industrial action, and Monday morning demonstration, the Student Union and the School Authorities after a closed door dialogue on Monday, 13th June, came to an agreement that;
1. The University would provide a new 1500 KVA generator, Valued at N50 Million.
2. Pending the arrival of the new generator, the works department of the University, in charge of handling the affairs of the generator would increase the duration of power supply to 2hrs 30 mins in a day of 24 hours.

The Student Union accepted this, particularly, after evaluating the recent nature of the nation's declining economy, and as such Called off her Sit at home strike, and announced the commencement of lectures immediately.

On the same night, the generator whose duration has been extended to last for 2hrs 30mins was unexplainably turned off from the first batch of hostels after barely 45 mins by those in charge of it, and moved to serve the other batch of hostels. The reason or expectation for this action has not been known till date.
On the same night, it was gathered that a number of unknown individuals took it upon themselves to protest the event (turning off the gen), and this blind action led to the removal of a number of streetlights, as well as damages to Window glasses of buildings and Some Vehicles, an event which was condemned by all and Sundry, including the Varsity management and the Student Union Government.

Expectedly, the next day, the Management had a brief meeting, which ended in the;
1. Indefinite Closure of the Enugu Campus
2. Unexpected Suspension of the Student Union.

BACK TO PRESENT DAY, THE BURNING BUSH AND WHY WE ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES:
The University management at her last Senate Meeting on Monday, 25th July(42 days later), agreed that
1. The Enugu Campus of the University(which houses about 12,000 students), would commence activities on the 8th of August(2 months after),
2. Each and every student of the Campus would pay a reparation Fee of N10,000( totaling N120 Million), though N10,900 on portal(total: N130,800,000).

The procedure for payment of this fee has begun and the portals has been opened for that.
Now, if this was to happen in an institution in the APC led western states(which can't even happen), the Members and Senators who were elected, not selected, to represent them, would stand up at this time when they are needed by the minority, to SPEAK for them and condemn this Injustice.

An example can be drawn from the recent Crisis at the Obafemi Awolowo University, OAU Ile-Ife, which was closed down for sometime over management tussles. The students of the Institution contacted their representative in the senate, and the Senator representing the Constituency, Senator Babajide Omoworare and Senate President, Senator Bukola Saraki, both of the APC, brought it up in the senate house plenary sessions and the crisis(administrative in nature), was resolved(in less than a week) and the Federal Government gave an order that the University management conduct an election for an Acting Vice Chancellor. The order led to the emergence of a Professor of Pharmacy as the Acting Vice Chancellor and resumption was announced immediately.

If we check properly, in this region(enclosing UNEC, and speaking for UNEC students), we have, representing us, able PDP senators, led by our very own Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, who were elected and not selected, to voice out our concerns, oppressions and injustice at the federal level in the house of the senate. Now is the time for our senators to show us that we made the right decision by electing them, for moments like this.

It is unfair and a grave injustice that students of UNEC would be expected to pay a reparation fee of N10,900 under the watchful eyes of our PDP senators, which is just about the school fees of a newly admitted student at the University of Ilorin(N13,800 for medicine), and we say that we are being properly represented.

Having been an active and passionate supporter of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP), and haven't had any need to ask anything of them, I would want our senators to justify the trust we place on them in this time of need.

The students of UNEC cannot and should not be used to purchase 2 generators(for Nsukka and Enugu Campus) at N50million each among other items, by charging them a reparation fee totaling in excess of N100 million for damages below N10million while at the same time silencing the student Union by suspending them, so the student would have no voice in matters that concern them. Justice should be done, and if reparation fee be paid, should not exceed N2,000(totalling N20-24 million). We put our trust at this time on our PDP senators to come to the need of the members of their constituency who voted them, in their time of need.

Having been an active supporter of the PDP, we would have no choice but to follow the path of our democrat, and Ex-president Chief Olusegun Obasanjo in tearing our membership cards, if our PDP representatives should fail us at this time of Need.

What is good for the Students of the west is also good for the east
Injustice is injustice irrespective of region, tribe, class or religion.

God bless the Students of the Enugu Campus of the University of Nigeria
God bless the Minority and Oppressed Youths Of the South East.
God bless the Senators of the Peoples Democratic Party
God Bless the Peoples Democratic Party
God Bless Nigeria

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