The Federation of Ekiti State Students’ Union, FESSU, has condemned the planned Canada trip by members of the Ekiti State House of Assembly.
The Union stated this during a press conference in Ado-Ekiti on Tuesday on State of Ekiti Students and Education addressed by its National President, Benjamin Adekunle Onileowo.
According to them, the planned trip to Canada by the lawmakers is ill-conceived while calling for a reevaluation from the lawmakers to channel the funds for the upliftment of their constituencies.
“It must be stated emphatically that we consider the said self-sponsored Canada trip planned by the Ekiti State House of Assembly as ill-conceived. This is not the time for such an endeavour, especially when the state requires the support of every stakeholder to address pressing issues affecting the livelihood of the common man and to salvage our education sector.
“Our lawmakers plan to spend over N250 million to travel overseas for seven days with 18 members, 5 spouses, and 4 aides, totalling 27 people. We condemn this move and urge a reevaluation. N250 million could provide a N50,000 bursary for over 5,000 students of Ekiti State in their respective constituencies.”
FESSU went further to demand the immediate reversal of the mandatory N280,000 hostel charges on students of Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, College of Nursing Sciences, Ado-Ekiti.
They also called on the State government to address the issue of epileptic power supply in the state-owned institutions and students’ environments.
“While we applaud some of the education-driven projects of the Ekiti State Government led by Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, there is a serious need for significant improvements in our state-owned tertiary institutions. We call for swift government intervention in the following:
“Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital College of Nursing Sciences, Ado-Ekiti: Immediate reversal of the mandatory N280,000 hostel charge imposed by the College Management.
“Under no circumstances should any student pay beyond N100,000 each for a small-size room shared by 4 persons. Construction of a well-equipped ICT Center on the college premises. Reduction of the outrageous school fees of over N650,000 for new intakes and over N250,000 for continuing students. The Ekiti State Government must make education affordable for students, most of whom are indigenes of the state.
“Ekiti State College of Health Technology, Ijero-Ekiti: The upgrade of the institution’s status to a Polytechnic is crucial to give it access to superior funding and save it from sub-standard education. Renovation and construction of the dilapidated school hostels.
“Construction of a well-equipped health clinic and laboratories. It is disheartening to know that the College of Health Technology lacks a standard health centre.
“Bamidele Olumilua University of Education, Science, and Technology, Ikere-Ekiti: We call on the University Management and Drivers Union to allow the use of tricycles for transport within the school premises for easier locomotion.
“Address the outrageous hike in house rents in student environments. Construction of intra-campus road networks.
“We also call for government intervention to address the epileptic power supply in state-owned institutions and student environments. These institutions should be connected to an Independent Power Project Supply (IPPS).”
