TRUTH FOR SALE

Dunnex writes...✍

"In a period of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act"- George Orwell

In an epoch like ours where conscious efforts are consistently made by authorities to suppress dissenting voices and an aggressive war is openly declared against critical-minded individuals, we must never allow our appeal to sense and pity from authorities becloud our appeal to facts and truths. In a generation like ours where authorities have made relentless efforts to distort the truthful part of history that was passed on to us by the previous generations, it is not a noble act on our part as a generation that also seeks progress to be culpable of the truth-distorting process.
One thing is certain and that is the fact that the table is fast turning against our liberty as students, but the question which begs for answer is that, are we part of those on the table or those turning the table?

Before I proceed, it is pertinent to note that the 'truth' starts becoming untrue the very moment it betrays it's essence to give an exact representation of what happened. In most cases, such act is a conscious attempt to reduce the probable effects of the naked truth on authorities that are involved. Doesn't it call for probe that the university authority have suddenly developed an extreme curiosity for articles written by students, especially those that raises critical issues about the university.

In fact, recent reactions from the management have shown that they are not comfortable with articles that raises critical issues rather than sing their praises. This reaction has been manifested in the illegal suspension of some students who were recently pronounced reinstated after subtly warning them to disengage from critical write-ups. A suspension that can't be disconnected from the frequent airing of their views through writings.

An act which violates section 39 of the Nigerian constitution (amended) which states that every person shall be entitled to freedom of expression, including freedom to hold opinions and to receive and impart ideas and information without interference. By expansion, it is necessary to note that forms of expression through writing can be argumentative, narrative, descriptive and expository according to one's free thought and perception.

Therefore, students should not be blackmailed nor victimised when they adopt a form of writing that do not conform with the interest of the authority, more so, we should ask when it is has become a writing ethics to appreciate authorities in write-up's, especially when the appreciation lacks merit.

No doubt, this intimidating gesture from the management has forced a lot of pen-pushers into silence while some have been reduced to praise-singers. Or, how on earth do we explain that an oppressor is appreciated for his oppressive and tyrannical tendencies?. What better way can we explain that a Vice-chancellor should be appreciated for reinstating students after they have been illegally suspended and psychologically traumatized throughout their period of suspension. It really bears no fundamental difference with appreciating a kidnapper for releasing an abducted person after he has been paid a huge ransome at the expense of some other person's well-being.

Truth has no shade, it must be said at every time without fear or favour. The suspension of students for raising dissenting voice is a gross violation of fundamental human rights and an illegal act that should not be condoned in the slightest form.

If a Vice-chancellor must be appreciated for correcting his wrongs by reinstating illegally suspended students, it must be done without obliterating the fact that it was wrong to have suspended them illegally in the first place and it must be stated that such wrong should not be repeated, if truly he wants to merit the accolade.

As a matter of fact, as critical minds, we must understand that suspension and victimisation on Nigerian campuses is not because our authorities lack compassion- in fact,most of them belong to top layers of their various religious institution either as imams or pastors but they tend to betray their religious conscience because of the class interest involved.

Ordinarily, a pastor or imam would understand that religious teachings itself is against persecution of innocent minds who speaks the truth about the unjust system. Rather, they prefer to persecute such individuals with the aim to defend their paymasters at the government level who are responsible for the current state of decay in the education system. They prefer to criticise and punish students for exposing the rots of the education system rather than challenging their paymasters who are directly responsible for the rot by the deliberate underfunding of the education system for their selfish gains.

With a comprehensive understanding of the preceding paragraph, it can be said at such point when authorities have to choose between their conscience and class interest, the latter would always prevail. Hence, it is erroneous to think that the reinstatement of students is an act of compassion or benevolence after they have been sacrificed on the altar of class interest which is obviously anti-students. Also, it is more dangerous to appreciate authorities for reinstating illegally suspended students because such appreciation is an admittance of the fact that the suspension was right in the first place and they retain the moral fibre to repeat such act. It doesn't only spell a threat to this generation but a wrong message for posterity.

The federal government has shown no utter concern for public education through the poor funding of the education sector, yet, students and workers want improved conditions- This conflict of interest has been the causal reason for the frequent crisis in the university system and the best method adopted by authorities to resolve the conflict has been a continuous victimisation of radical students.

The implication of suspending students for demanding better welfare conditions can be likened to a father who disowned his son because he couldn't meet his demands. Though, it is understandable that limited resources can warrant harsh response in the face of pressing demands but it can never be a solution. Yet, the case is different with the university system because it is funded with the public's wealth.

Interestingly, the victimisation of students has not been able to resolve crisis in the university system since it started in the 80's. Most university administrators seem to believe that a violent clampdown on radical students' movement would resolve the crisis faced in the university system but such thesis have been proved wrong with time and events.

However, it becomes saddening that our authorities have failed to learn vital lessons from history. Highhandedness on dissenting students is never the way out- *100 hundred students can be suspended but the truth can never be suspended*- and our insincerity to address the truth is what has depeened the falling standard of the education system and left the burden of irresponsible leadership hanging over our necks.

When looking at the present order, it can be safely inferred that the tides are fast-changing.

University authorities don't blame the Federal government for underfunding the education sector, rather they sing their praises and defend their interests. Progressive students that are expected to hit the nail on the head also sing the praises of their oppressors. Truth is now for sale.

Dunnex Samuel
(Ag. Coordinator, Education Rights Campaign, ERC and a member of Democratic Socialist Movement, DSM)