LASU Students' Protest Divides Lagos Assembly

The two most senior principal officers of the Lagos State House of Assembly - Speaker and Deputy Speaker - doesn't seem to be on the same page on the issue of protest by students of the Lagos State University, LASU, over the astronomical increase in their school fees. Although House has directed relevant stakeholders to come and give them the facts of the matter.

While one believes that the action is in bad taste  and a demonstration of insensitivity by the ANC-led government to the plight of the people, the other thinks the masses should be willing 'make the sacrifice'. Continue to read their different positions...

The deputy speaker of the Assembly, Hon. Kolawole Taiwo, faulted the action of the state government for breaching sections one, two and three of the Lagos State Revolution Approval Law 2001, which stipulate that 'the executive cannot effect any directive unless it is approved by the state house of assembly'.

Condemning the action of the Babatunde Fashola administration Hon. Taiwo said: "The state shouldn’t have created a university when it cannot cater for it. We have an organised system, if we then say free education is optional in tertiary institutions, then LASU shouldn’t be created."

But on his part, the Speaker of the Assembly, Hon Adeyemi Ikuforiji, agreed that the state government has to fund education and subsidize when necessary but pointed out that the people must know that nothing comes free and be willing to make some sacrifices.

Sensing that his position might attract the wrath of his colleagues and Lagosians, he quickly added that the action was taken because the state wanted a standard and effective learning environment for the students. He further noted that it was meant to ensure "standard of education does not fall", while cautioning the executive to make the fees a little more affordable and convenient for parents.