Controversy, rift, displeasure, accusations, and counter-accusations have trailed the conversion of Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Abeokuta to an Institution of Science and Technology. In the midst of these adversities are two elephants and some persevering grasses; it is no doubt a conflict of interest which threw the two elephants into a ring, with little or no concern for the grasses beneath their feat.
My metaphor needs no explicit demystifying, as every student of this citadel of learning bore the brunt for over three months of ASUP strike, Students struggle, idleness, and cluelessness; the elephant with the broken rib refused to thrown in the towel, until it was damn obvious that ‘victoria was never acerta’.
While the struggle was on, there were fears from different quarters about the survival of our dear MAPOLY, but we all appeared to be treading with caution; we were anxious about writing the second semester examinations; our seniors are interested in joining their fellows in the NYSC Camp. We struggled not for MAPOLY to survive but for our EXAMS to arrive.
It was a great fight after all, especially for some of us who were involved in the struggle (with the pen and on protest grounds). I had never felt as terrified as I was that day the Secretary to the state government, Barr. Taiwo Adeoluwa, asked the security men to open fire on us – mehn, I ran like a mad man – thank God the supposed firemen consulted their conscience.
We spent three months period in utter perplexity, and ignorance of the future; we were mocked in the streets and shared in the blame. The Public Relations unit of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) went all pseudo, selling their rhetoric prowess to the media. Although, the implementation of the first two C’s of Aluta were oblivious to us, we joined in the confrontation – a non-existing students union went anomic, holding the trunk of one of the elephants.
Meanwhile, success is yet to be achieved, even though we have conducted the touted second semester exams and our fresh jolly graduates are getting prepared for Youths service.
I celebrate these graduates who have passed through the furnace of Public School education to become precious pieces of gold. I may not be in the best position to tell them NYSC (Now Your Struggle Continues), but I rejoice with you for having crossed a tormenting hurdle.
Our graduates are now at cross roads, the school management has refused to release their final results, and by implication disallowing them from going for the youths service. No doubt, we were played for dummies.
Recently, the ASUP Chairman, Mr. Kola Abiola claimed that the government had not paid their salaries in the last 3 months. Although he assured us that the academic staff would continue their work. What a wicked world it is; what a wicked Baba Onifila gogoro at Oke Mosan, depriving workers of their rights.
I felt the pains of our lecturers; I put myself in their laden shoes and wondered how long they would continue to endure. I was afraid the lack of payment could portend an inevitable crisis and frustration for students. I thought about how we may be compelled to buy textbooks of lecturers; how we may be given unnecessary assignments that would financially benefit some staff of the institution. And unfortunately, my fear is beginning to manifest.
About two weeks ago, we all received the shocker on Platform Times website, "Tyranny in MAPOLY as students groan over extortion, highhandedness." That was the very headline that engulfed the whole mountain. It is not electrical electronic, nor accountancy, it is the department that sets the pace, Mass Communications; and guess who’s involved, our very own intelligent, prudent, savvy, respected, responsible and highly sagacious Kolawole Amos, the man before whom we all give reasons. Some graduating students of Mass Comm department alleged that they were being extorted by the department, positing that it was time for the HOD to give his own reasons. How the tables turn!
Well, the Association of Mass Communication students (AMACOS) denied the allegation of extortion, saying the money paid was out of compassion and sympathy for the lecturers who have not been paid by their employer. Hmmm! I call it compassion by compulsion.
I wish not limit my appraisal of the impending hullabaloo to my department alone, as we have set a negative pace this time. The aftermath of the wrestle between the two elephants is obviously hunting all students of MAPOLY. Before now, the school fee portal used to be open till few days to exam, to allow poor students and their parents enough time to get the fees. But the school management, under the new Rector, Ayodeji Tella has refused to maintain this norm. Over 80% of students are yet to pay their school fees, but the uncompassionate management has refused to shift its stand.
No doubt, things may get worst. The government may not desist from owing salaries, this is their trademark across the country; our lecturers may devise unprofessional means to get remunerations, as majority of students are yet to get their fees paid but codedly forming aluta and saying ‘we no go gree’. It is a matter of time before it turns ‘Roforofo fight’.
Fellow MAPAITES should we await the worst, hope the status quo remains, or pray things turn around for good. Hopefully, there is light after the tunnel
Oluwatobi Odeyinka, Associate Editor.
Department of Mass Communication
If you believe you have facts and information to share with us in relevance to MAPOLY development. Don’t hesitate to call the Following Numbers; 09085606835, 08088439061 or email ojuroungbesodiq.
Kudos to you. it’s pathetic