The leadership of National Association of Nigerian College Of Education Students (NANCES) and National Association Of Nigerian Students (NANS), Ogun Axis have expressed concern on the trajectory of incidents pervading the academic atmosphere at Tai-Solarin College of Education (TASCE), Omu-Ijebu.
These incidents have become a cause for concern for all stakeholders, as they hereby called on Ogun State Government on the need to urgently step up their plan to reinvigorate the institution.
The student bodies made this known during joint press conference held in Abeokuta on Thursday, whereby Comrade Adebowale Azeez, National PRO, NANCES who addressed the media on behalf of others.
Azeez debunked a news release concerning the state of TASCE attributed to the leadership of NANCES published yesterday in some media outfits.
He read: “I want to state emphatically that aside from myself as the National PRO and sometimes the National President, no officer have the right to go to press on behalf of the association.
“In addition, the opinion expressed therein completely contradict the official perspective of the association. Therefore, the statement should be absolutely disregarded.
“Having said that, the trajectory of incidents pervading the academic atmosphere of Tai-Solarin College of Education, Omu-Ijebu has become a cause for concern for all stakeholders.
“Consequently, Ogun State Government need to urgently step up their plan to reinvigorate the higher institution.”
Furthermore, he remarked that since the separation of Tai-Solarin College of Education from Tai-Solarin University of Education, the school have been bedeviled with myriads of challenges.
Adding that the successive government administrations have been unable to curtail the issues of poor funding, decreased subvention, incommensurate facilities, non payment of salary backlogs, back to back strike actions, and many more.
“The inability of two successive administrations to find practicable solution to the TASCE dilemma severely complicated the issue up to the point of total closure of the institution.
“On emergence of Prince Dapo Abiodun administration, the government set up a committee to see to the effective resuscitation of the higher institution.
“The Visitation Panel set up by the state government to look into issues surrounding crisis at the TASCE through its Chairman; Prof. Kamaldeen Balogun has recommended urgent and full implemention of recommendations of the 2016 staff audit report as some of the issues confronting the institution had been resolved by the report.
“Aside from reopening of the college, very little have been achieved by the panel.
“It is imperative that at this time, the state government further consolidate on its commitment to rejuvenate the educational sector by going back to the discussion table particularly on the implementation of the 2016 staff audit report of TASCE. This is essential to prevent further damage to the institution.
“Moreover, we want to unequivocally appreciate the enviable leadership acumen of Dr. Lukmon Kiadese. He has been able to steady the ship and effectively manage the situation despite seemingly insurmountable challenges,” he said.
Similarly, he affirmed that the Yemi Adefulu led TASCE Governing Council has also contributed immensely to the progress of the institution through unalloyed support, dedication and seasoned counsels.
“Finally, it is essential to sound a note of warning to all that rabble rousers who are planning to import non-students to cause mayhem in the state.
“Also, we are aware of the press statement in the media by some individuals in the students movements who are threatening a showdown on our campus.
“We want to state that we have achieved the reopening of the school about two years ago and we shall not allow some less informed person to drive us back in this struggle.
“Our leadership shall call for an action only if need be and we shall be giving the government a benefits of doubts to listen to our demands before we do so. Hence we are asking all people with ulterior motives to stay clear of the matter.
“While we appreciate some stakeholders’ concern, we maintain that peaceful resolution is best to sustain academic cohesion on the campus.
“National Association of Nigerian Students, Ogun Axis and National Association of Nigerian Colleges of Education Students are committed to join forces in ensuring that the best possible outcome is achieved in the best of TASCE students,” he concluded.
