Contrary to fears in certain quarters, academic and other activities are going on without any hitch at the Federal College of Education (Technical) in Akoka, Lagos State.
The school is not on auto-pilot, but under the effective control of its acting provost and his team, according to the Students Union Government (SUG) of the institution.
The SUG said any perceived crisis or whatever at FCE (T) was a figment of the imagination of some detractors.
Its president, Comrade Junaid Michael, described the picture of leadership failure and neglect being painted by the detractors as misleading, deeply unfortunate, unfounded, and unpatriotic.
He added: “It misrepresents the events that transpired and disrespects the due protocols that govern the operations of any academic institution during the April 29 visit to the school by the Joint Campus Council (JCC) of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Lagos Axis”.
The union noted that while the school, like any other public institution, has challenges, “it is false and malicious to state that FCE (T) is running on auto-pilot” or that students’ welfare has been abandoned.
“Under the current administration, and in collaboration with the SUG, several steps have been taken to address pressing student concerns, including safety, academic scheduling, and welfare”, Michael said.
He added: “It is disappointing that some people would stoop so low as to politicise and weaponise internal challenges for cheap publicity and relevance. The welfare of students should never be used as a bargaining chip in a game of false narratives and reckless rhetoric”.
Michael said the SUG “remains committed to engaging with credible, transparent, and development-focused student bodies, and it shall not tolerate any attempt – by any individual or group – to bypass protocol, distort facts, or bring disrepute to our institution under the guise of activism”.
Anybody that “wishes to genuinely engage with our college administration or the student leadership must do so with respect, orderliness, and compliance with due process”, the SUG said.
It pledged to continue to pursue constructive dialogue, responsible leadership, and unity among students, adding: “we shall not be distracted by noise. We shall remain focused on progress”.
