The fear is most palpable considering the fact that the arrested protesters are doing their fourth day in detention today with serious threats from government quarters to arraign them any time soon.
It is reported that students of Udung Uko Local Government Area went on protest on Monday 8th May, 2017. The students according to reports were protesting against the council's reluctance and outright refusal to listen to their demands for about a year now.
Sources say the incumbent president of National Association of Udung Uko Local Government Students (NAULOGS WORLDWIDE), Comrade John Etim says he could not control the students anymore as further attempts by him to calm the students almost got him maimed by the raging activists. John Etim is reported to have escaped the students' wrath by a whisker.
Enquiry into the plight of the protesting students revealed that they complained of non release of "Takeoff Grant" by the council to the incumbent students' union government in the area as well as non payment of bursary, project aid or any transfer of the sort to the students as is always the case.
It is reported that the council boss, Mr. Godwin Okponung who himself was a student activist in his days, pleaded with the students to exercise patience as the council is unable to undertake such venture due to lean finances of the council.
The incumbent students' executives however are agitated that their tenure is winding to a halt without even a "Takeoff Grant" from the council.
An eyewitness at the scene of the protest on Monday claims the protesters destroyed the council's properties including windows and vehicles. It is equally alleged that the protesters carted away a few items in the process.
It is however very worrisome that the council could not effectively manage the crisis. It is my thought that the leadership of the council ought to have contained the students' misgivings without allowing it to fester to the degree where properties were destroyed.
This calls for serious concern as both the politicians and civil servants in the council have the responsibility of managing not only the material resources of the council but the humans as well.
On this premise, our council managers must develop proactive but pragmatic approach to the management of both human and material resources at this all important level of government.
It is our hope and prayer that appropriate authorities will wade swiftly into the matter and restore calm to the system.
Nonetheless, we must sincerely remember at all times that students' union governments remain as critical stakeholders in the leadership structure of the local, state and federal governments.
Leaders must therefore always be careful to carry every constituent organ within the system along to forestall frictions and disloyalty within the system.
Students must equally learn to elect leaders who have the capacity to take charge in all situations affecting students and not those who cannot contain pressures. Such leaders must always ensure every available avenue is exhaustively exploited to the students' advantage.
Will the Chairman commit the arrested students to prison? That is the question time will sort as we all watch with bated breaths!
No comments: