Concerned group of students of the Obafemi Awolowo University, OAU, Ile-Ife, has risen against the forthcoming national demonstration tagged: Protest Against Bad Governance, slated for August.
The concerned students, which cut across Christian and Muslim divide and also across all ethnic groups in Nigeria, are canvassing under the slogan of ‘Say No to Anarchy, Dialogue Over Chaos; Let There Be Peace.’
The students said, in a press statement that, “As concerned members of our esteemed university community, we have always been united in our stand against bad governance. Our collective voices have played a pivotal role in advocating for accountability and transparency.”
The students said, however, it is now crucial to reassess “our approach, ensuring that our methods remain peaceful and constructive. It is important to prioritize the safety and well-being of every student, fostering an environment where our advocacy can thrive without compromising our values or safety.”
The students explained that their new position is against the backdrop of recent significant developments that continue to show that the current administration of President Bola Tinubu is in a positive direction.
The OAU students insisted that the government has taken certain bold decisions, including the government’s approval and commencement of student loan disbursements and the approval of the new Minimum Wage in the country, among others.
“The student loan scheme represents a substantial stride forward in supporting students’ educational pursuits. This initiative underscores the government’s recognition of the importance of accessible education for all.
“Furthermore, the move towards local government autonomy is a commendable step in the federal government’s efforts to decentralize power and ensure that the dividends of democracy reach the grassroots level. Such measures are vital in promoting more responsive and effective governance,” the students emphasized.
The OAU students said, “In light of these developments, it is imperative that we channel our energies into more constructive avenues of advocacy, engaging in meaningful dialogue and participating in fora that can create platforms for discussing our concerns and proposing solutions in a peaceful and organized manner.”
Specifically, the students stated that, “Our fight against bad governance is far from over, but it must be waged with wisdom, unity, and a steadfast commitment to peace. We must avoid any actions that could potentially lead to harm or disrupt the progress we aim to achieve.”
They stressed that by embracing peaceful advocacy, “we not only protect ourselves but also uphold the integrity of our movement. Let us stand together, using our voices and collective power to advocate for change in ways that reflect our commitment to the principles of democracy and human rights. Our journey towards better governance is a marathon, not a sprint, and it requires patience, resilience, and a continuous dedication to peaceful and constructive engagement.”
Meanwhile, a nationwide solidarity rally has been embarked upon, starting from the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja, July 29, 2024, by the joint leadership of the national associations of students across the nation’s universities, polytechnics and colleges of education in support President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
In a statement signed by Comrade Obaji U. Marshal, National President of National Association of University Students, NAUS; Amb. Shuaib Ishaka Yahaya, Senate President, NAUS;Comrade Ridwan O. Munirudeen, National President, National Association of Polytechnics Students, NAPS; and Amb. Comrade Egunjobi Samuel Oluseseun, National President, National Association of Colleges of Education Stuents, NANCES, Sen. Kur Isaac Ushemba,
Senate President, NANCES, the joint students’ leadership reaffirmed and justified their earlier position to pull out from the national protest against bad governance.
They stressed that they took the position because of the ongoing “marathon consultations with stakeholders, government officials and well-meaning Nigerians on the issue of our proposed protest action.”
They recalled that the Joint Leadership of student unions made some publications last week to clarify “our stand and also announce that we will be embarking on our nationwide protest starting from 29th July 2024,” in support of the Federal Government.
The joint student unions’ leadership restated that, “While we acknowledge that there is hunger in the land and the need for more concerted efforts towards addressing it, we also see efforts being made to provide immediate relief by the President Bola Tinubu’s administration.”
Specifically, the students’ leaders highlighted the temporary lifting of the ban and removal of import duties on food items by President Tinubu, which is being championed by the Controller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Mr Bashir A. Adeniyi.
“We commend him for helping deliver Mr. President’s vision and being a consistent supporter of the Nigerian students in the past, thereby demonstrating his unalloyed commitment to the welfare of the future generation,” they said.
Corroborating their position, the joint student leadership highlighted the reasons “why we pulled out of the protest” as follows:
1. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is barely one year as President, the mountain of structural, cultural and sociological problems he inherited will take a while to resolve;
2. The recently approved students loan scheme which has benefitted over 100,000 students is sweet music to the ears of all youths and parents across Nigeria;
3. President Tinubu’s efforts in the area of agriculture, like the partnership with the Niger State government and the free distribution of 4 million bags of fertilizers are great developments that will make food available and cheaper before the end of the year;
4. The recent financial freedom granted the 774 local government councils in Nigeria will bring faster transformation to the rural areas in the next few months;
5. The approval of minimum wage for workers will improve the standard of living of Nigerian workers; and
6. The jumbo increase in the revenue going to the 36 States of the Federation in the last 12 months is unprecedented in the history of Nigeria. Which means States now have more money to develop their respective areas. Kudos to Niger State Governor who is making full use of the jumbo resources for the COMMON GOOD of the Niger State people. And this is why peace is gradually coming back to Niger State.
The student leaders said all these would likely be reversed with the national protest, emphasizing that Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, LCCI, confirmed that Nigeria lost over N700 billion to the #ENDSARS protest within 10 days in 2022.
Nigeria cannot afford to lose such humongous money at this point in time when the whole world is going through a period of economic uncertainty, they said.
Consequently, the student leadership stated their demands:
1. Immediate increase in funding of our Institutions;
2. Provision of CNG Buses for our Students Bodies across the Nation to ease Transportation;
3. Declaring State of Emergency on fuel price and immediate action towards the reduction;
4. Finding lasting and immediate solutions to insecurity in the country;
5. Provision of more palliatives, especially for the Nigerian Students, to cushion the effect of the high cost of living; and
6. Federal and State Governments should with immediate effect stop the conversation of Polytechnics and Colleges of Education to Universities as we see it as an effort to kill other institutions.
They, however, praised President Tinubu for appointing competent Nigerians and putting square pegs into square holes, adding that this gives the youths and students hope of a bright future.
“These, among other things, are enough reasons to allow President Tinubu more time to deliver as we will not hesitate to take to the street if our demands are not met in due time,” the joint student leadership said.
