Mr Sunday Asefon, the newly elected President, National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), has promised to liaise with the Federal Government and Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) for amicable resolution of the impasse.
Asefon said at a news conference in Abuja on Monday that the consultation would yield positive result to enable the students to return to the classrooms after prolonged strike in the nation’s universities.
He said: “I will immediately set out to engage stakeholders within the education sector to add our strong voices against the over stayed ASUU strike.
“I will be consulting with the representatives of the Federal Government and ASUU with the aim of prevailing on them to find a centre point for amicable resolution to ensure we return to school.”
The association’s president also said that the newly elected leaders would not relent on their oars, but monitor the government’s agencies in charge of students scholarship.
He said that his administration would ensure that funds allocated for scholarship of Nigerian students abroad were adequately monitored and utilised for the purpose it was meant for.
“I assure Nigerian students of my resolve to do all within my abilities to protect our interests, place the interest and welfare of Nigerian students above all considerations.
“I will reposition our association to take its rightful place in the centre of our nation’s polity,” Asefon said.
He said the consultation would avoid unnecessary mobilisation of students to mount protest, so that the association would not be contributing to such unending strike.
On the EndSARS protest, Asefon said that, while the students body condemned the police brutality of youths, the association would not be part of any protest that do not have leadership.
He, therefore, advised youths to select five people from each of the 36 states, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), and meet to present their proposals to the Federal Government on their grievances relating to police brutality.
“Nigerian students have been victims of police brutality, and we condemn their act.
“At the same time, we the students body cannot be part of any protest that do not have leadership structure.
“The protest will not solve the issue of EndSARS, the Inspector-General of Police has cancelled SARS.
“I think those protesting should come together and present their common proposals on the issue, through the right channel,”