TUC condemns killing of UNIPORT student

The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria condemns, outrightly the killing of Mr. Peter Ofurum death, a student of University of Port Harcourt and president faculty of science by an overzealous policeman during a peaceful protest organized by students against a new school fees policy that prevented some students from writing examinations. We are more worried that after over 100 hours the dastardly act was committed the Nigerian Police is yet to clear the air let alone make a promise to investigate.

We gathered that the school authority increased fee to N47, 000 and the students were given up to April 4th to pay up or be de-registered. For us this was uncalled for, especially as this is the school’s First Semester. Such a notice to students in a country where workers are being owed for a period of over 10 months was too short. Equally, some parents who are state workers were relieved of their jobs before their retirement age and stipulated 35 years of service simply because their former governors who are now lawmakers or ministers numbering over 20 are still earning salaries and pension in their respective states.

Everyone is abreast of the happenings in the country recently. Business has been very dull because of lack of forex, loan, fuel scarcity, refusal of state governors to pay salaries even though they were given bailout by the Federal Government. In fact, for the present administration to ask us to blame the past administrations for the despicable state of the economy points to the fact that many things are actually wrong. Our position is that neither the students nor their parents should be blamed for not paying up the new fee promptly. It is dishearteening that even when some of the students managed to raise tuition, the portal was shut down by the school authorities after the expiration of the deadline given to pay up. Haba!

The students, it was gathered, appealed to the management to rescind its decision and extend the deadline to no avail; hence they promised to sustain the protest until the Vice Chancellor, Prof.  Sunday Lale and the Senate listened to them. Protests did not start today in our tertiary institutions and this one will not be the last. Are we encouraging such? No. Students in their usual way hit the street when government and school authorities initiate and implement anti-people policies.

Why should the police use arms on the harmless students even when properties were not destroyed? The university’s spokesman, Dr Williams Wodi we understand claimed he was held hostage by the students. He also debunked allegations of increase in tuition and de-registering students who failed to pay up. He debunked the increase in tuition fee yet the school authority gave a deadline. He countered his own argument.

The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria laments the waste of the life of this young man, who was in his final year. He was intentionally murdered by the system, our system that encourages impunity and treats the poor with disdain. We charge the security operatives to get conscious of the fact that the salaries they earn are paid with the taxpayers’ money. The arms and ammunition they carry are purchased with taxpayers’ money, as well. Why government and security operatives “muzzle the ox that threadeth out the corn” in this country is what we cannot explain. While we demand immediate investigation on the killing of Mr. Ofurum and people involved brought to book, we also warn that such must never happen again.

Comrade Bobboi Bala Kaigama

President, TUC

Comrade (Barr.) Simeso Amachree

Ag. Secretary General, TUC