LAGOS—Reprieve may be underway for the HIV/AIDS - carrying student of Nigerian Institute of Journalism (NIJ) whose admission was withdrawn after disclosing his status to the institution’s management.
Mr. Frederick Adekunle Adegboye who was given a two-year provisional admission to study for the national diploma in mass communication at NIJ was asked to withdraw late last month because he disclosed his HIV/AIDS status, whose periodic anti-retroviral therapy at University Teaching Hospital, Ibadan caused irregular attendance in school.
Vanguard gathered at NIJ that the governing council of the institution is meeting soon to review the decision of the management to expel the student.
Sources at the institution told Vanguard that based on numerous calls and enquiries received by members of the governing council on the matter, they have decided to hold a meeting to resolve the issue.
“The management of NIJ which comprised of the provost, registrar, departmental heads, etc, has already taken a decision to send away the student, and that’s the position as at now. A press conference would be called to fully explain the situation.”
According to an official of the institution, the governing council will meet to either uphold or set aside the expulsion order by the management.
“You know the governing council is made up of representatives of the owners of the institute whose decision on this matter is final,” he said.
Among the major stakeholders of NIJ are the Nigeria Union of Journalists, (NUJ), Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), and the Newspaper Proprietors Association of Nigeria (NPAN).
Indications are rife that Mr. Adegboye will be recalled to continue with his studies, after the meeting of the governing council.
Vanguard learned that members of the governing council are worried about the expulsion which had drawn the indignation of the public particularly HIV/AIDS - related NGOs and human rights groups.
Investigations showed severe public outcry against the expulsion of Mr. Adegboye from NIJ, at a time when the nation and, indeed the world, are advocating compassion, care and love for HIV/AIDS victims.
A student of the institute (who did not disclose his name) said it was unfortunate this happened in a journalism school which is producing people trained to inform the society on issues like the need not to discriminate or stigmatize HIV/AIDS victims.
“People living with AIDs ought to be shown love and care, not scorn or discrimination as NIJ has done,” he pointed out. Other people who spoke to Vanguard expressed disappointment with the institute for its action in expelling the students.
“This is bad publicity for NIJ and it must act fast to rescind the decision so as not to incur the wrath of the public. This is just too high handed, unfair and discriminatory”.
At NIJ, all efforts to reach the provost, Dr (Mrs) Lizzy Ikem who purportedly issued the directive to Adegboye to withdraw based on the decision of a so-called academic board, were futile.
Vanguard was told she was not in the office. So also were the registrar and the students’ affairs officer.
The withdrawal of the admission offer, whose timing was curious, was done in a fleeting manner, together with the refund of fees paid by the student.
“It seems the decision to withdraw Adegboye’s admission was a unilateral act done by the provost alone without due consultation,” said one of our sources.
Meanwhile, a battle line has been drawn between some NGOs and the NIJ. The NGOs, including Journalists Against AIDS (JAAIDS), Positive Life Association of Nigeria (PLAN), Centre for the Right to Health, (CRH), have all condemned the violation of Adegboye’s rights to education.
They are viewing the matter with serious concern, alleging numerous violation of rights of people living with HIV/AIDS in the country.
The groups are planning a mass protest against the expulsion, aiming at the possible re-absorption of Adegboye back to his studies at the institute.
