Ilesa College of Education Upgrade: NANS Calls For Caution, Stakeholders’ Inclusiveness

Kazeem Badmus

The National Association of Nigeria Students (NANS), Zone D, has called for caution on the process of upgrading Osun State College of Education, Ilesa to a University.

NANS, in a press statement signed by its Coordinator, Comrade Adegboye Olatunji, said failure to carry relevant stakeholders along in the conversion process may lead to chaos.

OSUN DEFENDER had in its last edition reported that five students of the institution were shot during a protest to demand transparency in the process of upgrading the college.

NANS in the statement made available to newsmen in Osogbo on Monday, also accused some of the implantation committee of planning to dish out offices to their cronies.

The students’ body urged the government to exercise caution and incorporate all necessary stakeholders on the conversion process.

The statement reads in part: “While we must commend the caliber of individuals already appointed into the implementation committee, we must emphasise that other critical stakeholders of the college of education being upgraded are still left out.

“Particularly, the Interim management, the Alumni leadership, the Students’ Union, NANS South-West, the staff Unions, especially the College of Education Academic Staff are a few of the germane stakeholders that are yet unrepresented in the committee.

“The above groups remain fundamental and they have the advantages of number, experience and peculiar knowledge that will palpably improve the ongoing quality of work and the expected result.

“Failure to do the above will be tantamount to the proverbial barber that wants to cut hair without the customer’s consent. Needless to say that such a barber is courting chaos, confusion and crisis”.

NANS further stated that some members of the implementation committee who have hidden agendas might frustrate the process of engagement, warning that such will lead to protests by the body.

It added: “We are inclined to believe that the above solution might be crushed due to the perceived partisan status of a few of the implementation committee members. We have it on good record that some of the officials are particularly interested in dishing out essential offices to their cronies.

“This will not only be detrimental to the essence of education but also a slap on the commendable intention of Governor Oyetola.

“If the above allegation materialises, we will not hesitate to mobilise our members from across the South-West and stiffly resist the charade for as long as required.”