LASU Fees: CDHR Wants Commissioner Sacked

A human right group, Campaign for the Defence of Human Right, CDHR, Lagos State branch, has called on the Lagos State government reconsider its decision to increase tuition fee paid by students of the Lagos State University, LASU.

The group also called for the sack of the state Commissioner for special Duties, Mr. Wale Hammed, for his statement that university education is not for every Lagosians. The group also frowned at the proscription of union activities in the institution.

The group, through its chairman, Comrade Buna O. Isiak, made the calls at a press conference in Lagos on Wednesday, .

The group berated the state government for ordering the deployment of military personnel to the Ojo Campus of the institution to eject the students following the protests embarked upon over the tuition fee increment.

The group said: “CDHR deplored this unwarranted military occupation of LASU campus for this indeed is not ideal for an egalitarian society. We, therefore, demand an unconditional and immediate withdrawal of the military occupiers from the campus.”

The group also called on the state Governor, Babtunde Fashola, to reduce the N25,000 being paid by students of the institution and not to think of increasing the fee.

The group questioned the rationale behind some people’s exemption from the recently introduced Tenancy Law, and described such action as capitalist.

The group said the state law enforcement agencies such as KAI and LASTMA have compounded the suffering of Lagosians, and called on the state government to review the laws establishing the agencies and re-orientate the personnel of the agencies.   

The group called on the residents of the state to prepare for protracted mass action if the government refused to listen to the cry of the masses and change some of its policies. 

The group used the conference to introduce its new officers. They are Ajayi Williams, Secretary; Judith Ogeie, treasurer; Omoteyinse Alex, vice chairman, Mobilization and Alfred Olorunwo, vice chairman, Administration.

— Paul Sanusi