ACE ERC Holds Public Symposium

By Omole Ibukun, ERC National Secretary

The Adeyemi College of Education (ACE), Ondo, chapter of the Education Rights Campaign (ERC) had its political symposium and internal seminar to mark the international Women’s Day on Saturday 10 March 2018 at the Tinubu Block on the campus.

The Symposium which was themed “Perennial fuel scarcity in Nigeria and the wayforward” and sub-themed “The role of students in Nation Building” was attended by more than 25 students. The symposium was also followed by an internal seminar of the comrades of the branch to discuss the significance of the International Women’s Day, which was earlier marked on March 8.

Speakers in attendance include the ACE branch Chairman of the Non-academic Staff Union (NASU) Mr. Adegbola, the Speaker of the Parliament of the Students Union, the National Secretary of the ERC, and the Secretary of the DSM in Osun State, Comrade Kola Ibrahim. The Speakers explained how the crisis of perennial fuel scarcity was as a result of the privatization of the sector, alongside other sectors like the education sector. It was explained that the only solution to the fuel crisis will be to nationalize the sector under the democratic control and planning of workers, and that the solution is beyond building refineries or paying subsidies. It was also concluded that the role of students in nation building would be to build their students’ union on democratic principles of Congresses, and by showing solidarity to workers struggles. An example of the then ongoing Non Academic Staff strike going on across the country was made.

The second session of the programme featured the seminar discussion on the International Women’s Day, and the discussion had the participation of a female comrade of the branch, Adetula Adebola, who raised issues surrounding the international Women’s Day. Issues such as free domestic house work, rape, domestic violence, sexism, indecent dressing laws and the illegality of abortions were raised, and they were condemned by the speakers as manifestations of the double oppression of women under capitalism.

The speakers analysed that the solution is not in the hands of women who fight for ministerial appointments in the government with the slogan that women should be more represented in government, only to emerge to become as corrupt as their male capitalist counterparts. The example of former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Alison Madueke’s corruption case was provided. It was therefore concluded that the problem of the woman is tied to the problem of patriarchy and Capitalist oppression which tries to sustain itself by duplicating its exploitation within our internal relations as humans, especially within the family. The Socialist Party of Nigeria (SPN) was therefore explained as the only party in the country’s electoral system with a clear plan and programme of defeating sexism, oppression and capitalism.