The Students' Union Government, SUG, National Film Institute (NFI), Jos have told school management that their agitations for well equip and better learning environment is not a senseless demand.

The students governing body, SUG, demanded immediate reopening of the institute by the management for the continuation of academic session as end of semester bill for November, 2023, based on school calendar.

SUG which made it's position known in response to a press release signed by Brian Etuk, head of corporate Affairs, on behalf of management of the Nigerian Film Corporation (NFC), claimed that the school was closed “to forestall any threat to breaching peace on the Plateau by students of the National Film Institute.” 

A press statement issued to newsmen in Jos on Wednesday by SUG president, National Film Institute Jos, Aduma George Agoji, acknowledged they are law abiding students, noting that for almost a decade, "our genuine pleas for essential facilities have fallen on deaf ears.

According to him, "we reject in  strongest terms this hasty and unwarranted decision by the Management of the Nigerian Film Corporation (NFC), to shut down our revered institution. 

"The allegations raised against us are not only baseless but also entirely contrary to the character and principles that define us. We, as bonafide students of the National Film Institute, are law-abiding, responsible, hardworking, resilient, compassionate, intelligent, patriotic, and creative individuals deeply committed to our passion for the Motion Picture Industry.

"Upon receiving the Press Release and learning about the abrupt closure of our school, we were left bewildered. We are compelled to ask: Is it wrong for students to demand for an academic environment that is truly conducive to learning? Is it wrong to remind the management of their fundamental obligations to students' well-being in an institution as unique as the National Film Institute? Is it wrong to advocate for changes that are not privileges, but are our rights as students?

"For almost a decade, our genuine pleas for essential facilities have fallen on deaf ears. Despite numerous meetings and reminders, the management has consistently ignored our concerns that are crucial to optimizing our learning environment. 

"For the record, our demands, included the following: the repair of run-down school toilets, the provision of water facilities and constant supply of same, establishment of a functional ICT center, issuance of school ID cards, ensuring electricity in classes, setting up of a standard cinema for student film screenings, addressing security concerns, addressing the delayed matriculation and convocation of diploma students, and the proposal to consider reviewing the Act establishing the National film institute (currently, a department under Nigerian Film corporation) in order to give autonomy to the Institute to function independently."

The SUG president further disclosed that, "In response to our peaceful advocacy, the Management initially approved (but only verbally) 22, out of our 26 demands formally presented to the MD of NFC in a meeting with our officials. During the meeting, we acknowledged that even the fulfillment of at least 50% of these issues (especially those relating to fundamental amenities) was imperative and would be acceptable to resume classes.

Consequently, we initiated a "Stay at Home" protest while waiting for the management to fulfill these basic requirements. It is deeply disappointing that, despite our nonviolent approach, the management chose to label us as a "THREAT TO PEACE" on the Plateau and forcibly, and under this pretense, to hastily shut down the school. 

It is important to emphasize that it was only after numerous and inexplicable failed attempts, that we were able to meet with the management of Nigerian Film Corporation and the leadership of the National Film Institute. Our focus and desire for seeking those meetings as always, was to attain a mutual understanding. 

At the meeting that we finally held between the management and some mediators of the Union, MD of NFC, Dr. Chidia Maduekwe, to our shock, instead focused to set up a Committee of 9 persons. By its terms of reference, this Committee was clearly meant to intimidate and witch-hunt some of the students, further escalating the problem; whereas we had expected him to discuss and apply solutions to the challenges raised. 

To us, this means the management, by this decision intends to lock down the school, and keep students at home for more than 60 days, thereby forcing us to forfeit the remaining semester originally meant to elapse by November 2023.  

"We call on the management of the Nigerian Film Corporation to take steps to rectify the damaging impression created by the Press Release, which unjustly portrayed our plea for basic rights as a "Threat to Peace on the Plateau", Agoji stated.