The Students’ Union Government (SUG) of the College of Nursing Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital (NAUTH), Nnewi, has disowned students who took to the streets to protest at the school gate earlier this week over a hike in tuition fees.
The students, who carried placards at the school gate in Nnewi, had lamented the astronomical increase in their tuition from N95,000 to N580,000.
The protesters are also demanding action on the exorbitant accommodation costs in Nnewi.
But the student’s union president of the institution, Comrade Chukwuelue Chisom, in a chat with The News Chronicle correspondent on Thursday, said the body knew nothing of the protest and was not part of it.
Chukwuelue said the body had already reached the management of the institution about the hike in tuition, and had already received a favourable answer about a roundtable discussion to facilitate adjustment, when it heard of the protest by students.
He said, “The SUG leadership formally communicated the concerns and apprehensions of students to the Management of NAUTH in order to seek clarity and possible reconsideration regarding aspects of the newly introduced fee structure.
“We took the responsible steps to engage the appropriate authorities of the institution. During this engagement, the Management acknowledged the concerns presented by the Students’ Union and assured the leadership that the matter had been taken seriously.
“We were informed that a panel would be constituted by the Hospital Management and the Board of the College to carefully review the issues raised regarding the fee adjustment and make appropriate
recommendations.
“In the interest of responsible leadership, institutional respect, and constructive dialogue, the Students’ Union Government accepted the assurances given by the management and resolved to allow the constituted panel and the appropriate administrative processes the opportunity to review the matter.
“Unfortunately, before the outcome of this review process could be communicated, some students, overwhelmed by the emotional and financial implications of the development, took to protest in an attempt to express their grievances.”
The President said the union under his watch will remain committed to protecting the interests, welfare, academic stability and collective interest of students, while maintaining respect.
She said the union under her leadership will always engage the management peacefully, responsibly, and constructively, hoping to use dialogue as the most effective means of addressing issues affecting students.
“Leadership, in moments such as this, requires both empathy for the concerns of students and the wisdom to pursue solutions through lawful and institutional processes,” she added.
She appealed to all students to remain calm, orderly, and patient as the panel constituted by the Hospital Management and the Board of the College carries out its review of the matter.
The Union pledged to monitor developments closely and maintain active communication with the Management to ensure that the concerns of the student body receive the necessary attention.
