Richard Ginika Izuora
The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), is to organise a nationwide mass protest to demand for the immediate reopening of all universities across the country.
This is part of resolutions reached in a communiqué issued on Wednesday, November 11, in Enugu after NANS Students’ Leaders Emergency Virtual Meeting held on November 9.
The communiqué said that the continued strike was an organized crime against students’ career and likewise educational pursuits.
It said that NANS with no hesitation declares 14-day Ultimatum for both parties (ASUU as well as FG); to resolve their impasse for campuses to re-open or risk Mass Protest.
According to the statement, the #EndASUUStrike protest will have an economic shutdown as the major target.
The statement reads in part: “That NANS declares the necessity of a minimum of two academic session school fees waiver for Nigerian students in both state and also federal institutions; in the spirit of COVID-19 palliative; to ameliorate the economic effects of the lockdown occasioned by the global pandemic.
“This is to avert mass drop out of students which may increase crime; and also criminality among youths in the country.
“That the government has failed to prioritize education, hence the failure to deploy necessary funds for a complete overhauling of the education sector and total revitalization of university education in Nigeria.”
The association noted that governments had not earmarked meaningful budgetary allocation to the sector in line with the recommendation of UNESCO 26 per cent educational budgetary allocation.
According to NANS, this can be traced; as the root cause of incessant strike by the Academic Staff Unions in all Nigeria tertiary institutions.
“Consequently, NANS with no hesitation declares 14 days Ultimatum for both ASUU and FG to resolve their impasse; for our campuses to re-open or risk Mass Protest tagged #EndASUUStrike Nationwide; with economic shut down as the major target.
“Nigerian students are the greatest losers as their career are delayed; stay on campus extended; house rent/hostel fee incurred; NYSC age limit exceeded; Federal/state job age requirement exceeded among other negative effects as well as impacts on general life plan of an average Nigerian student.
“That NANS, on behalf of Nigerian students, shall approach the Federal High Court to seek legal redress on ASUU and FG in demand for compensation/damages for Nigerians students’ time wastage; life plan disruption; and also career delay.”
The statement said that the leadership of NANS, led by Chidi Ilogebe would proceed to have a press conference; to address Nigeria students; the Federal Government; as well as ASUU on our positions and next line of action as resolved therein.