“Remove Them”: SUG Issues 8-Point Demands To DELSU Mgt

By Winner Enuma/Charity Amali 

In what many consider as a bold move, the leadership of the Student’s Union Government (SUG) at Delta State University (DELSU), Abraka, has questioned a number of charges included in students’ school fees.

In a letter addressed to the university’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Andy Egwunyenga, the union specifically demanded the immediate reconsideration and outright removal of eight items from the school fees breakdown “to ease the financial burden on students and prevent any unrest among the student body”.

The letter, which was obtained by DELSU Echo on Thursday, was jointly signed by the SUG President Comr. Augustine Onovughegor and Secretary-General, Comr. Etim Bassey.

According to the union leaders, one of the several charges due for reconsideration and removal is the N1,300 SUG due that serves as the main source of revenue to the students’ body, thus raising questions on the union’s expected source of funding for the 31st Assembly if removed.

“The students’ union due has remained unchanged for over five years, and the union has managed to sustain itself”, they told the VC.

Furthermore, the SUG stated that the DELSU mobile app, which costs N4,250, has received unfavourable reviews from students and has not been widely used by them, hence the item should be removed from the school fees breakdown for the 2024/2025 academic session.

They added that despite the importance of internet access, many students in locations outside the university’s Abraka campus, such as Oleh and Oghara, do not benefit from the institution’s WIFI package and suggested that the DELSU WIFI subscriptions fee of N4,250 be waived for students who do not have access to it.

The fourth demand bordered on the University’s policy manual which cost N4,250, a charge that the students’ body  considered unnecessary given that the Student Union policy manual and other existing guides are already in place and available to the students.

They also called for the termination of the university’s Microsoft certification programme  and its hoodie for fresh students which costs N9,000 each.

“While the Microsoft Certification programme is valuable, students’ feedback indicate a lack of significant benefit. We propose removing this from the school fees breakdown based on student’s preferences.

“Many students have expressed a disinterest purchasing hoodies, citing low use rate. we recommend eliminating this fee to align with student preferences and reduce unnecessary expenses.

The union leaders also drew the Vice-Chancellors attention to the N5,000 and N5,700 charges included in the school fees breakdown for sewage and sanitation, and insurance premium respectively.

“Students have raised concerns regarding the allocation of fees for sewage and sanitation as well as SUG accessories because it was introduced as N2,000 for sewage and sanitation, and N3,000 for SUG accessories, but the students are yet to get any patch of the accessories.

“We urge for transparency in this regard and request the distribution of paid accessories upon resumption to avoid further discontent as the union will do everything with his power (sic) to ensure the students get values of what was collected from (them).

“We seek clarification on the purpose of the insurance premium to ensure students understand the coverage they are paying for.

“Additionally, we would appreciate further information on maintenance levy, development levy, department teaching materials and other related fees to provide clarity to our student populace.”

The union appreciated the Vice-Chancellor’s support and dedication to the student community and promised to collaborate with the university management for the betterment of all students.

DELSU Echo recalls that the student leaders were elected on June 11 and sworn-in on August 14.

At the swearing-in ceremony, the V-C had charged the SUG leaders to facilitate open communication and address pressing issues affecting students’ welfare.

Responding, Onovughegor had pledged the commitment of his administration to the advancement of students’ welfare and vowed to work collaboratively with the university authorities to create an enabling environment for students to reach their full potentials.

In a related development, the SUG has said it would to take drastic measures to tame the growing harsh effect of the Nigerian economy on students.

In a tersely worded statement jointly signed by Onovughegor and Bassey, the union said it would mobilise students to seek the intervention of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori on the plight of students in DELSU.

The statement was in response to a purported strike action declared by the intra-campus tricycle operators’ union in DELSU on Monday.