Obafemi Awolowo Students’ Union Pays N1.6m School Fees Of 85 Indigent Students

Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife

The Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) student union government (SUG) has paid N1.6million in school fees on behalf of 85 indigent members.

The Public Relations Officer of the union, Emmanuel Ojedokun, the Public Relations Officer of the Obafemi Awolowo University Students’ Union, says the body paid N1.6million as school fees for 85 indigent members in the 2014/2015 session.

Ojedokun disclosed on Thursday in Ile-Ife, saying the union was determined to ensure that indigent students do not drop out of school.He said many brilliant students over the years had dropped out of school due to inability to pay school fees.

The scheme was unprecedented in the history of student unionism in the university.“Our union has really made history; we have taken unionism beyond the level of constant confrontation to welfarist concept in which smiles are put on the faces of students irrespective of their status," Ojedokun said.

“It is that spirit and zeal that spurred us to go out of our way and put smiles on the faces of about 85 indigent students who might have dropped out of the university due to financial predicament."

He maintained that that "education remains the right of every child" and urged the government to increase funding of education in line with UNESCO recommendations.

“It is our belief that the Federal Government will quickly comply with the 26 per cent recommendation of UNESCO and make education accessible to Nigerian youths,” he said. (NAN)