BEFORE I SIGN THIS UNDERTAKING…
…Questions for the UNILAG Management
‘He who asks questions does not miss road’ – African proverb.
‘He who fails to learn from the lessons of history is bound to repeat its mistakes’ – Universal proverb.
Pardon my pretence to wisdom: I have only incorporated those two proverbs because I know that we are Africans, or, in the case of those who have become so Eurocentric as to have no regard for anything African, they are at least universal citizens. But most importantly, I want to preface this article with the fact that necessity, not wisdom, is driving me into writing this; and if perchance I say anything wise or worth ruminating upon, it is because there yet is a place left for the truth even in an era of falsehood, some place for justice even in a disproportionately unjust world, some place for the feeble voice advocating freedom even in the midst of universal tyranny.
Thank you, especially if you have patience enough to read through to the end…
The beginning – and I hope the end too – of this writing is the protest of the students of the University of Lagos and their ‘purported expulsion’. Ok, there is no reason to garb the fact: let us put it bluntly – the expulsion of the students, because of their protest on the 6th and 7th of April 2016. It is no light phrase – ‘expulsion of all undergraduate students’ of the University of Lagos – and I think that is why the management did not explicitly state so. But there is no clearer way of putting it than by saying that students will only be ‘readmitted’ upon fulfilling some conditions: signing undertakings. How can they re-admitted unless they have formerly (and formally) been expelled? Now some facts before questions.
On Thursday, 7th April 2016, the school passed the following news bulletin round the school (please check for the full news as I would only be providing extracts).
“….In order to forestall a further breakdown of law and order on the campus, the Senate resolved to take the following decisions until the situation normalises.
All academic activities on campus are hereby suspended with immediate effect…
A decision to reopen for normal activities will be taken as soon as municipal services improve…”
Even a layperson will understand this crystal-clear message: academic activities were suspended, not students; normal activities will be resumed, not re-admission of students.
(Addressing the Unilag Management now).
This was what you presented to us and the world when you were vacating us from the hostels. Whether you have supporters or opposers, it is on the strength of your representation. Then on Friday (I hope I will ever have some reasons to thank God it’s Friday) 22 April 2016, you posted…
…In preparation for the resumption, students are expected to adhere strictly to the following guidelines:
Students are to complete the undertaking form and get it notarised.
No student would be READMITTED without completing the above process.
Now, could you reconcile these two representations? That you expelled all the students at once in the cloak of restoring normalcy, without letting them know of their expulsion, because you are aware the world would scream at such abuse of power and due process? If this readmission does not render the vacation an expulsion, please kindly explain to me and for those who wish to understand. Note: I have not yet inquired into the invalidity of the purported expulsion, only the representation of it.
Now for the undertaking. (I actually thought at first that it was an undertaker’s form, with its harrowing content!) In paragraph one, I am supposed to pledge that I will pay due respect and obedience to the authorities of the University of Lagos and I will faithfully observe ALL regulations, which may from time to time be issued for the GOOD ADMINISTRATION of the University.
Not to question the propriety of this vow, or your competence at managing the University, what happens when you make policies that in the eye of the reasonable, right thinking persons are not for the good management of the University? For you must admit you are not perfect. Am I then permitted to refuse to obey such rules? Suppose for instance that you insist that no water is to be brought into the school and you don’t supply enough (as usual), if I go outside school and buy bag of sachet water and bring it into the school and perhaps sell to two or three roommates who are dying of thirst, have I violated my oath? Please define ‘due respect and obedience’! Define good administration! I long to know, that I may not disobey!
And for my parents who will sign indemnity form that I will be of ‘good behaviour and conduct’, exactly what am I to infer from that? Leaving aside whether every student have parents and whether some of them are sponsoring themselves – which you have acknowledged through your work-study programme – I ask that I may know: what do good conduct and behaviour mean? That if you were to increase any UNILAG-only commodity like tuition fees, etc, I am not to protest if you refuse negotiation? That I cannot exercise my constitutional right to association without your approval? That I am to accept whatever policy you propose without any form of protestation? If these are your meanings, please make them clear to me that I may know how to start seeking for the black goat in daytime.
As a precondition for entering halls of residence, I am also to sign hall clearance. I am fortunate enough in this regard to have been allocated a hall among the thousands who could not get. You acknowledged the discomfort occasioned by students because of lack of adequate hostels and permitted students without hostels to stay with their friends (correct me if I am wrong). Now that I must carry hall clearance for entrance, what will be the fate of my friends from Anambra and Kano who have nowhere else to stay but school? Will they have to come from Anambra and Kano in order to write their exams every day? In signing my hostel clearance, will I not be signing their damnation? If you must throw the baby away with the water, at least acknowledge the baby’s right to struggle for survival.
You have taught me many lessons, but now I don’t know whether you mean to test me or to unlearn those lessons from me. You derided before me the African kings who in the face of threat and illiteracy signed away their people to the colonialists and slave-masters. Today, you want me to sign away my freedom, even with the full implications glaring at me. Whatever be your motive, I WILL NOT SIGN THIS UNDERTAKER’S FORM UNTIL YOU HAVE MADE YOUR TERMS AND CONDITIONS SUFFICIENTLY EXPRESS TO ME!
And perhaps by now you understand the irrelevancy of talking about READMISSION, because I WAS NEVER EXPLELLED.
Discussion71 Comments
May God bless the writter,…me I will never sign,. . #irefusetosign
same here……
And ULSU should b restored##
I stand with ulsu
God bless d writer all the things wrote in dat undertaking is just bullshit. Aw do dey expect us to sign dat wen I was not as if dey told us we were all expelled.
This is just the truth in ink. I pray it gets to the management, and they read and reason.
If we all sign these forms we have signed away our right. Pls implore all of us to think about this and make a wise decision. Thanks to the writer.
First off I want to say fantastic blog! I had a quick question which I’d like
to ask if you do not mind. I was curious to know how
you center yourself and clear your mind prior to writing.
I have had a tough time clearing my mind in getting my ideas out there.
I do enjoy writing but it just seems like the
first 10 to 15 minutes are generally wasted just trying to figure out
how to begin. Any ideas or tips? Thank you!
Can you tell us more about this? I’d like to find out more details.
I’d like to find out more? I’d care to find out some additional information.
If you wish for to obtain much from this paragraph then you have to apply such strategies to your won webpage.
Excellent site. Lots of helpful information here. I’m sending it to some friends ans also sharing in delicious.
And obviously, thank you for your effort!
Positioned in the skeletal muscle, trigger points are spots that create discomfort when compressed.
Review my web page; 스웨디시마사지
There are selections to deliver food or drive men and women around to their destinations.
My page; 바 알바
bookmarked!!, I really like your site!
Leah Duenas Torres, 37, who lost her sales job, had been thhe first in her household to go
to college.
Feel free to surf to my site: 셔츠룸알바
ThePools is a pretty new sporrs betting
web-site that very first launchned inn October 2018.
my web page … 메이저토토사이트
Generally, although, any winnings produced from totally free spins wikl be
withdrawable.
Feel ffree to visit my web pqge … homepage
It iss probable to use personal loan proceeds as an informal, unsecured automobile loan.
My web-site – 정부지원대출
What’s extra, it is not generally the size of
a poker welcome bonus that matters, buut also how iit performs.
My homepage :: more info
Grand Spa offers Tui Na, Shiatsu and Swedish massage
solutions, andd is situated conveniently behinmd Bugis Junction.
My web site – 스웨디시마사지
For operators, on thhe other hand, the tax implicastions of setting up shop right here may seem higher.
Here is my page: website
You get 300% up to $three,000 on your initially depsit and
150% up to $1,500 oon your next 4.
Also visit my site: here
A serious detoxifier aand metabolism stimulator, you’ll emerg toned and glowing.
my page – 홈케어 마사지
A criminal actor could moreover use cash generated from
criminal activity to buy a lot of prepaid debit cards.
my blokg post click here
When you do want to brighten your space, it has eight colour options—ranging from a soft pink to a
deep purple—tosupport set the mood.
Revview my page; 감성마사지
Bleach is toxic, and diffusaing it can release harmmful gases ijto the
air.
My blog … 홈타이 스웨디시
By targeting acupuncture points, a Thai massage sesh is confident to aid ease away all stiffness in thhe body.
Feel free too visit my homepage 스웨디시마사지
Bear in mind that linmes display as a three-digit quantity along with
a plhs sign (for the underdog) or a minus sign (for the favored).
Feel free to visit my homepage … get more info
The district with the highest share, Sacramento-based Los Rios, was nonetheless onlyy at 63%.
my webpage: 유흥알바
The chic-seeking device has a minimalist finish to it that ensures it will appear amazing wherever it’s placed.
Feel free to visit my web site: 홈케어 스웨디시
Sports occasion massage is ordinarily closed with tapotement or vigorous jostling.
Here iss my homepage 스웨디시마사지
There is nevertheless lots of development, and the area demographics are acquiring younger.
Review my webpage 룸 알바
The ‘WILD’ symbol substitutes any symbol, boosting your probabilities of generating winning
combinations.
Here is mmy homepage; http://www.emmobb.com
Virginoa haas no retail casinos however,so on the web betting leads the way.
my webpagge … website
It iis a high-threat, high-reward tecnnique as you have to get each and every beet appropriately.
my web page check here
Prrovided that it is legal to operate in the UK, betting with the
local shops like Totesport, Bet365, William Hill,
Ladbrokes, and so on. you can seldom go incorrect.
my blog; read more
No DraftKings promo code is neccessary to claim a $1,000 sign-up bonus exclusive
to Action Network.
Here is my blog; 메이저토토사이트
• 25+ live-dealer table gsmes festuring blackjack, craps, roulette, 3-card poker,
mini-baccarat and far more.
Sttop by my blog – homepage
Ignition offers the best welcome bonus package
for new sign-ups.
my blog;온라인카지노
Everything is very open with a really clear description of the challenges.
It was definitely informative. Your site is extremely helpful.
Thank you for sharing!
Enter the quantity you’d like to deposit, and youir funds
must be visiblke in your account immediately.
Takke a look at my web site – 카지노
Playing at reliable online casinos can be an really spectacular expertise.
Here is my web blog – 바카라사이트
Useful information. Fortunate me I found your web site accidentally, and I’m stunned why this twist of fate didn’t took place earlier!
I bookmarked it.
Tracey O’Connell, MD, a radiologist, always knew that she wanted to work component-time.
Also visitt myy website: 밤알바
Operating out of the Walker Hill Hotel in East
Seoul, this casino provjdes an array of games with a
view of the Han River.
Feel free to surf to my web page :: 온라인바카라
Having said that, your credit score can influence tthe loan terms depending on the lender.
My web page – 급전 대출
You will either accept the supplied loan or take time to reconsider.
Take a look at my website … 소액대출
This is the form of verify a finance provider, bank or developing society will
use iif you are applying for credit.
my webpage; 정부지원대출
Hi unilagnews.com admin, You always provide great examples and case studies.
I am genuinely happy to read this webpage posts which consists of plenty
of valuable facts, thanks for providing these kinds of statistics.
I don’t even know the way I ended up right here, however I believed this submit was once great.
I don’t recognize who you might be however certainly you are going
to a famous blogger for those who are not already. Cheers!
I’m extremely pleased to find this page. I need to to thank you for ones time due to this wonderful read!!
I definitely liked every little bit of it and i also have you
saved to fav to look at new things in your site.
Hi! I know this is kind of off-topic but I had to
ask. Does operating a well-established website like yours take a large
amount of work? I am brand new to operating a blog but I do
write in my journal on a daily basis. I’d like to start
a blog so I will be able to share my experience and views online.
Please let me know if you have any suggestions or tips for new aspiring blog owners.
Thankyou!
Great blog! Do you have any helpful hints for aspiring writers?
I’m hoping to start my own site soon but I’m a little lost on everything.
Would you suggest starting with a free platform like
Wordpress or go for a paid option? There are so many options out there that I’m completely overwhelmed
.. Any ideas? Thank you!
If you want to grow your experience just keep visiting this web site and be updated with
the latest information posted here.
What’s up, I wish for to subscribe for this web site to take most recent updates, thus where can i do it please help out.
Howdxy jjst wanted to ive you a brief headfs uup and let yoou kow a feww of thee puctures
aren’t loading correctly. I’m noot suhre why butt I thin iits a linking issue.
I’ve tried itt inn ttwo different weeb browsers and both snow the ame results.
Hi, after reading this awesome article i am too cheerful to share my know-how here with colleagues.
Appreciating the hard work you put into your site and in depth information you
present. It’s good to come across a blog every once in a while that isn’t the same outdated rehashed information.
Excellent read! I’ve bookmarked your site and I’m including your
RSS feeds to my Google account.
Fastidious answer back in return of this issue with
firm arguments and explaining the whole thing about
that.
Wow, wonderful blog layout! How long have you been blogging for?
you make blogging look easy. The overall look of your web site is magnificent,
as well as the content!
Touche. Solid arguments. Keep up the great effort.
If you are going for best contents like me, only pay
a quick visit this website daily since it provides quality
contents, thanks
you are really a just right webmaster. The website loading pace is amazing.
It sort of feels that you’re doing any unique trick.
Also, The contents are masterwork. you have performed a wonderful process on this subject!
We’ve been in the gambling business for years, and we’re passionate to share anything we’ve learnt
with you.
Hello unilagnews.com admin, Your posts are always well-supported by research and data.
Hello unilagnews.com owner, Thanks for the comprehensive post!
Dear unilagnews.com admin, Thanks for the well-structured and well-presented post!
Hello unilagnews.com owner, Your posts are always interesting.
Hi unilagnews.com admin, You always provide valuable feedback and suggestions.
Dear unilagnews.com administrator, Your posts are always well presented.