lasuconscience
It has been a torrid and rollercoaster semester for several LASUites, and the only solace everyone seems to be finding, or trying to find, is that exams are over — for now, at least.
Generally, being a LASUite comes with several stresses, drama, injustice, and cases of oppression, among others. However, for the sake of this Editorial and easy remembrance, the core focus will be on the just concluded semester.
From 100 level to 400 level, any student who is a bonafide undergraduate of Lagos State University would definitely have a not-so-pleasant story to tell. And no, it is not about the story of being broke (when are we not broke?); but rather, the story of a system we are a part of, yet which fails to recognize us. It does not silence us outright; in truth, we are silenced. At this point, many would have decoded an inch of the picture being painted; for those who are still uncertain, understanding is not far away.
LASU Conscience has been renowned for its motto of standing for “Truth and Fact.” This has been consistently upheld over the years to a great extent. However, our modus operandi was further reiterated in a heartfelt article written by a fellow aggrieved student titled, “LASU Students Are Way Too Calm.” This article extensively addressed a prevailing notion among LASUites: how the culture of remaining silent, yet loud in the wrong places, has consistently made us victims and placed us in situations where solutions never come on time.
Beyond that, several instances of students’ issues were raised; these caught LASU Conscience’s “Conscience,” hence the decision to pen this message to everyone. On several occasions, we have emphasized the importance of reaching out to us via email (lasuconscience01@gmail.com), and we will now provide a phone number( available on Whatsapp and to receive calls), in the caption of this Editorial. Yet, many students have failed to share some of the rising issues trampling on and infringing upon their fundamental rights — particularly those connected to being a LASUite.
Without mincing words, we understand the fear of being sidelined or given an extra year for reporting an issue. While this fear has increased the frequency of lamentations in our class WhatsApp groups, before ending there. Even Heads of Courses find it difficult to express themselves to their coursemates on official class platforms due to the fear of “snitches” reporting them to lecturers or concerned individuals. While this and more have been thorns in our flesh, we have surprisingly accepted defeat before going to war — and where does that eventually leave us?
We are now in a scenario where things happen; we complain for a while; then everything becomes normal. Yet, the pain and issues remain problems we cannot get off our lips. To paint a vivid picture: if a vox pop (street interview) is carried out on the streets of LASU about the issues facing LASUites, only a few would be expressive. Surprisingly, if a Google Form is created to gather information about challenges faced across various departments and levels, the responses would be overwhelming. This is exactly what we seek to address.
At this point, many LASUites cannot wait to graduate — not because there is a job waiting, but to move far away from a system that has crippled our freedom to communicate without even trying. We do not necessarily need to protest to achieve results. In fact, we dare say this: if 100 aggrieved students in each faculty speak up about an issue, it would bring awareness to the relevant authorities, and possibly even LASUSU.
While the media is rooted in its duty to amplify issues affecting LASUites, we cannot go pens blazing when students refuse to speak during interviews, even after being guaranteed anonymity. To a large extent, we understand the risks of being a journalist or working in the media space in any society. However, if the aggrieved remain silent in every issue, what does the media rely on to get results — or at least try?
Dear LASUites, we stand in humble yet strengthened solidarity with you on several issues that have plagued us in the course of being LASUites. We strongly believe that things can get better if there is unity and trust in the media. We are not clamouring for blind trust; no. We want to earn your trust. But to earn that trust, adequate and appropriate communication will go a long way.
LASU Conscience is willing and ready to amplify students’ concerns, dialogue with relevant authorities, and remind the Students’ Union of its duties as clearly entrenched in the Constitution. However, what we ask from every LASUite is this: trust in campus media organizations. One organization cannot do it all; there are several media organizations in LASU you can reach out to for wider coverage, and together, we can tackle our problems one after the other.
While we cannot promise you immediate solutions, we are offering a pathway that can bring about change, but only if there is cooperation. Our email remains open to receive your concerns; the phone number and WhatsApp messages (08106401296), and also an anonymous link has also been provided for those who don’t want their identities revealed. Our channel is for everyone to stay connected and keep up with what is happening.
We cannot do it alone — hence this passionate appeal. If you are a Head of Course, a Departmental or Faculty executive, or a concerned student frustrated with all this “sheges” that have now become unresolved problems, kindly reach out to us through any of the mediums provided. We promise to engage directly with you and play our part in ensuring a better LASU.
Together we can make a change.
Iyanu Sogbesan, Correspondent, LASU Conscience
Olamilekan Israel, Correspondent, LASU Conscience
