Education

MAPOLY Management Assures on Uninterrupted Academic Activities

By Web News 385

By Oluwatoyin Adegoke

The Management of the Ogun State-owned Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, MAPOLY, Abeokuta has renewed its commitment to ensuring uninterrupted academic activities in the institution.

The Rector of the polytechnic, Dr Adeoye Odedeji stated this when the president of the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, Comrade Pedro Obi visited his office in Abeokuta. 

Dr Odedeji said the present administration of Governor Dapo Abiodun has put in place the needed machinery for the rescue and revitalization of MAPOLY after the two-year stagnation caused by the policy of his predecessor. 

He maintained that the move has helped to resuscitate the culture of academic excellence the polytechnic is known for, which has produced notable leaders like the former Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun and the current Accountant-General of the Federation, AGF, Dr Oluwatoyin Shakirat Madein among others.

Dr Odedeji gave the assurance that the list of the polytechnic’s students expected to be mobilised for the next batch of the National Youths Service Corps NYSC, service would be released soon, adding that the institution was running Information Communication Technology, ICT, programmes to provide both staff and students with the required digital training in partnership with CISCO and Huawei Technology.

Earlier, the president of the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, Comrade Pedro Obi explained that the visit was to appreciate the efforts of the management of the institution in ensuring stability of academic activities on the campus.

Comrade Obi explained that on his assumption of office as leader of NANS in December 2023, he had embarked on a familiarisation tour to campuses across the country to meet with the stakeholders to fashion out ways to minimise crisis between management and students’ movement on campuses. 

The forum also had in attendance, the Deputy Rector, Dr Yetunde Lanre-Iyana, the polytechnic’s Registrar, Mrs Olubunmi Elewodalu, the Bursar, Mr Fatai Yekini, Director of Students Affairs, Dr Amos Kolawole and other principal officers.

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Education

NANS Meeting with VC Yields Result as UNILAG Reduces Fees

By Web News 434

The management of the University of Lagos, has announced the reduction of its fees after meeting the representatives of the National Association of Nigerian Students on Thursday.

A statement made available to newsmen on Friday revealed that the university held a meeting with the executives of the NANS and other faculty members on Thursday evening.

The statement read, “Authorities of the University of Lagos led by the Vice-Chancellor, Proffesor Folasade Ogunsola, on Thursday, September 14, 2023, had a meeting with the President of the National Association of Nigerian Students, Comrade Usman Umar Barambu accompanied by top officers of the Association and UNILAG Faculty leaders drawn from nine faculties of the University and College of Medicine.”

The statement also revealed that at the commencement of the meeting, Barambu highlighted the demands put forth by the students. The demands include reversal of obligatory fees, reversal of hostel fees, and reinstatement of Students’ Union Government in UNILAG.

However, Ogunsola, stressed that the aim of the University was to deliver quality education to its students regardless of class, tribe or creed.

“After careful evaluation of the issues raised by the students and management, the following consensus was reached at the meeting: Utility Charges for all categories of students was reduced to N15,000:00 from N20,000:00.

“The obligatory fees for returning undergraduate students was reviewed from N100,750:00 to N80,750:00 for Courses without Lab/Studio; N140,250:00 to N120,250:00 for Courses with Lab/Studio; and from N190,250:00 to N170, 250:00 for Medical / Pharmacy students and students in Health Professions.

“The Convocation Fee to be paid by all final year students was reduced to N27,000:00 from N 30,000:00. Hostels fees were reviewed as follows: For undergraduate hostels in Akoka and Yaba campuses, the fees was reduced to N43, 000:00 from N90,000:00.

“For hostels in Idi-Araba campus, the fees was reduced to N65,000:00 from N120,000:00. The fees for Sodeinde Hall was reduced to N135,000:00 from N250,000:00.”

Some students of the University of Lagos, on Wednesday, took to the streets to express their dissatisfaction with the raised tuition fees announced by the school management.

In July, the UNILAG authorities announced a rise in tuition fees for both new and returning undergraduate students, citing the current economic conditions as the reason behind the decision.

Punch/ Oluwayemisi Owonikoko

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Education

Student Loan Bill: NANS Calls for Review of Overseer Committee

By Web News 921

The leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, on Tuesday, visited President Bola Tinubu over the student loan bill that he signed into law on Monday.

The NANS delegation was led by the body’s National President, Umar Barambu.

Speaking to State House Correspondents after engagements with the President, Barambu revealed that they urged him to review the constitution of the special committee that will oversee the new Nigerian Education Loan Fund to include student representatives.

The NANS President said: “We thank the President for the Students Loan Bill.

“We have outlined the clauses that we are not too comfortable with. And part of them is the issue of that board that we mentioned to the President, which we said at least students’ representatives should be captured and there are some organisations that they put there, which to us, they don’t need to be there.

“We gave him an example, most especially the Nigerian Bar Association, ASUU. ASUU has its own microfinance bank running their own affairs without students on their board. So, I don’t think it’s wise for us to allow them to be inside our own board because it is purely students.

“We are the major stakeholders of that bank. So I don’t think allowing them to be there is good. Not only them, we mentioned a lot of people that they should remove and put more of student-oriented organisation.”

In response, the President promised to consider the requests of the NANS leaders but urged the students’ body to ensure unity among its members across the country to achieve more.  “You have to promote unity and stability among each other. You have to employ democratic means in your programmes and elections. I have to say anyone who is unable to accept and celebrate a free and fair election, does not deserve the joy of victory,” Tinubu said.

The President stressed that poverty should not prevent any Nigerian from obtaining quality education at the highest levels.

Punch/ Oluwayemisi Owonikoko

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Education

Extortion: Accusation against school management baseless – MAPOLY PRO

By Web News 902

Some students of Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, MAPOLY, Abeokuta, have protested the institution’s increments of tuition fees and alleged extortion by the management of the school.

The students in their thousands barricaded the main entrance of the institution and prevented movement into the school premises.

The protest which disrupted the ongoing second-semester examination saw the protesting students displaying inscriptions such as: “#Say No To Unreasonable Increment Now!!!”, “Say no to extortion” and “Bring back our 60/40 per cent” among others.

The chairman of the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, Ogun State, Comrade Simeon Damilola, demanded the immediate reversal of all increased fees and abolishment of the newly introduced fees.

Mr Damilola called for the investigation of the management of the institution for alleged misappropriation and mismanagement of funds in the school.

The institution’s Public Relations Officer, Mr Yemi Ajibola while speaking on the protest said it was not true that the institution increased the tuition fee.

Public Relations Officer, Mr Yemi Ajibola

He stated that the students’ leaders have reneged on the earlier agreed solution to the crisis.

Mr Ajibola described the allegations levelled against the rector as baseless and unfounded.

Wale Oluokun

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Education

Students Ground Lagos Airports over ASUU Strike

By Web News 523

Vehicular movement is at a stand-still at both the local and international airports in Lagos as the National Association of Nigeria Students, NANS protest the continued stay at home of students due to the Academic Staff Union of University, ASUU strike.

All the access roads into the airports have been condoned off by the students around the hajj and cargo terminal, and the road leading into the International airport terminal.

They defied the morning rain, chanting solidarity songs to register their anger over the failure of the Federal Government and ASUU to reach a truce on the demands of the lecturers.

The once busy airport roads and toll gates are deserted, and the usual hustle and bustle that characterized the airport environment was absent.

Staff and workers of the various agencies and companies at the airport cannot access their offices, and students of the airport secondary school are also affected.

Many air passengers are currently stranded on the roads.

Security agencies, the police, Civil Defense corps are on the ground to prevent the breakdown of law and order.

Currently, the once chaotic traffic situation on Mondays in the Lagos metropolis has been compounded by the protest as it has extended to the Ajao Estate area to Oshodi, the local airport to Ikeja under the bridge, and the Agege motor road, spilling over to other roads linked to these areas.

Nosa Aituamen

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Education

NANS Plans Protest on Lagos-Ibadan Expressway over ASUU Strike

By Web News 445

The National Association of Nigerian Students, South-West Zone, on Monday, said it would commence protests on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway (Sagamu Interchange) over the ongoing strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities.

According to the association, the protest was organised as a result of the lingering ASUU strike.

The association’s position was contained in a statement by its coordinator, Adegboye Olatunji.

 “Since the inception of this administration, we have seen how meagre sum is allocated to the educational sector. It is based on the foregoing that we declare a protest against the prolonged ASUU strike which has ultimately affected the progress of Nigerian students for the past six months. And, we also pass a vote of no confidence on the Minister of Labour, Chris Ngige, and Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu.

“The protest shall be held till the strike action is resolved. Convergence point: Lagos-Ibadan Expressway (Sagamu Interchange).”

Meanwhile,  the National Industrial Court may assign the case between the Federal Government and the striking Academic Staff Union of Universities to another judge.

A source, who spoke to newsmen on Monday, noted that the judge who presided over the case on Monday, Polycap Hamman, is a vacation judge.

“Justice Polycap Hamman is a vacation judge, the case will be reassigned to another judge for adjudication,” the source who was present at the court told our correspondent in Abuja.

In another development, the case, which was filed by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, has been adjourned till Friday.

The Federal Government had asked the court to order ASUU to call off its seven months strike.

When the matter slated for mention came up on Monday, human rights activist and lawyer, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa (SAN), informed the court that he was representing Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project and that he had filed a suit on the same subject matter before the same court.

He also stated that in the suit NICN/ABJ/269/2022, SERAP is the claimant with the Federal Government as the defendant.

He, therefore, applied that the extant suit be consolidated and SERAP be joined in the suit as a defendant, instead of multiple suits on the same matter before the same court.

Counsel for the claimant, Mr T.A Gazali (SAN), in response said the application, adding that there was no need for SERAP to pray to be joined in a suit orally in a matter that did not have its name on the cause list.

ASUU’s counsel, Mr Femi Falana (SAN), urged the court to step down the matter to enable both lawyers to file their papers and then return at a later date after he would have responded to the claimant’s process.

The judge adjourned the matter till Friday for further mention.

He also ruled that SERAP’s application to be joined in the suit was premature.

Punch/Titilayo Kupoliyi

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Crime

NANS Executive, 39 0thers Jail for Fraud

By Web News 1096

The Ibadan Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC has secured the conviction and sentencing of the Director of Logistics of the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, Federal University, Oye-Ekiti Chapter, Adeyemi Israel Abiodun to one-year imprisonment for internet-related fraud.

He is among 40 persons convicted on separate one-count charges before four judges of the Oyo State High Court, Ibadan.

Their offences bordered on impersonation, obtaining money under false pretence, obtaining property by false pretence and forgery contrary to Sections 419, 467, 484, 516 and 508 of the Criminal Code Law Cap 38, Laws of Oyo State, 2000.

The other convicts are Yekeen Azeez Ishola, Okeniyi Samuel Akiniyi, Theophilus Ademola Bukola, Salami Mohammed Adetayo, Pelumi Ajayi Temiloluwa, Lawal Abdullateef Olalekan, Okusanwo Mayowa Daniel, Oluwole Oluwasegun Ayomide, Adedotun Omodele Yusuf, Monday Nnaemeka Samuel, Idowu Adeshina, Olowe Nifemi Ayomide, Adubu Olamiotan Sunday, Kehinde Olatunji Kehinde, Oguntuase Tope Francis, Elijah Isaac Wisdom, Ogbanaya Chukwu Chukwu, Adekola Adekunle, Odebode Temiloluwa Kehinde, Joseph Odunayo Clement, Andrew Adekunle Masika, Usman Mubarak Damilare, Isiaka Olumide Hammed, Uawu Osita Henry, Kareem Afeez Alabi and Ogunyemi Ayobami Samuel.

Others include Mimiola Victor Olamide, Adeeko Kolade Emmanuel, Egberongbe Adedayo Quam, Oyelaran Olayiwola Jeremiah, Hammed Rilwan Ishola, Adefowora Omotayo David, Adedeji Ibrahim Olamilekan, Emmanuel Timileyin Akinbowale, Michael Damola Olanrewaju, Ayanyemi Olaide Samuel, Boye Timilehin Emmanuel, Timileyin Ajibola Idowu and Azeez Tolulope Ayoade.

Abiodun was arraigned before Justice Iyabo Yerima while thirty-nine others were prosecuted before Justices Bayo Taiwo, Akintola Ladiran and Olusola Adetujoye between August 15, 2022, and August 23, 2022.

The one-count charge against Abiodun reads: “That you, Adeyemi Israel Abiodun and Odaise Precious Abiola (aka Prezzy) (at large) on or about 30th March 2022 at Ibadan, within the Ibadan Judicial Division did conspire to forge various the United States of America Banks Cheques and purport same to be genuine and thereby committed the offence of conspiracy to commit forgery contrary to Section 516 and 467 of the Criminal Code Law, Cap 38, Laws of Oyo State, 2000.”

Abiodun and the others pleaded “guilty” to the charges filed against them by the EFCC.

In view of their guilty pleas, the prosecution counsel, Modupe Akinkoye, Oyelakin Oyediran, Oluwatoyin Owodunni, Chidi Okoli, Abdulrasheed Suleiman, Mabas Mabur and Samsuddeen Bashir reviewed the facts of the cases, tendered confessional statements and documents recovered from the convicts as exhibits and urged the courts to convict and sentence the defendants as charged.

Consequently, Abiodun, Daniel and Ayomide were convicted and sentenced to one-year imprisonment each without the “option of fine”, while Akiniyi bagged three months jailed terms and six months community service.

Other defendants were convicted and sentenced to six months of community service each.

Furthermore, the court ordered Abiodun to pay the sum of $1,000USD (One Thousand United States Dollars) in restitution and forfeit a white Mercedes Benz CLA-250 with a customized NANS plate number worth N16million, a gold neck chain and one ice neck chain worth N3.6million, bitcoin worth $58, 854.88USD, one Apple Mac Book Pro 2020 Model and an iPhone 12 Pro Max to the Federal Government of Nigeria.

Other convicts were ordered to restitute their victims and forfeit all items recovered from them.

It will be recalled, that Abiodun, a 200-level student of Economics and Development Studies of the Federal University, Oye-Ekiti, Ekiti State was arrested on March 30, 2022, alongside seventy-nine (79) others in a sting operation by the operatives of the Ibadan Zonal Command of the EFCC at Sango area of Ibadan, Oyo State for alleged internet fraud.

Investigations revealed that, between July 2021 and March 2022, Abiodun benefited N195, 274, 331.00 (One Hundred and Ninety-Five Million, Two Hundred and Seventy Four Thousand, Three Hundred and Thirty-One Naira) as cumulative heist from cyber-fraud involving forgery of over 25 US banks cheques.

Oluwakayode Banjo

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News

Meet ASUU demands – NANS tells Federal Government

By Web News 562

Students of various higher institutions in Ekiti State have decried effects of the ongoing strike embarked upon by the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU on their studies.

The students from the Ekiti State University, EKSU, Bamidele Olumilua University of Science and Technology, Ikere Ekiti stated this in Ado Ekiti during a peaceful protest over the prolonged ASUU strike.

The students barricaded all major routes in the state capital which led to traffic jams.

Two of the students, Olaiya Aje and Tope Ogunleye said it was unfortunate the federal government signed agreement it could not implement with ASUU.

They were of the opinion that the strike would have negative impact on them and the Nation’s education system.

They posited that the strike would increase their stay on their varit campuses, thereby having negative impact on their future.

Addressing the students, the president, NationaI Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, Mr Sunday Asefon blamed federal government on its failure to meet the demands of the university lecturers.

Mr Asefon made it clear that, the nationwide protest would continue until federal government accedes to the requests of ASUU.

He told the students that they would relocate to the main gate of EKSU on Friday.

Amos Ogunrinde

Education

Tango between ASUU, FG Puts our Future in Jeopardy – Students

By Web News 539

Any hope of a thaw between the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, and Federal Government was dampened with a further three months strike extension by the Union.

Stung by the persisting stalemate, residents of Ogun State expressed their worries, describing the situation as a grave danger to the sustenance of tertiary education in the country. 

A former chairman of the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, Ogun State chapter, Mr Tomiwa Bamgbose accused both the government and ASUU of insensitivity to the plight of the students, maintaining that the youths had become victims of the industrial crisis. 

When two elephants tango it is the grass that suffers, students who are most affected by the stalemate, described the development as devastating leaving them vulnerable to crime and putting their future in jeopardy. 

In separate remarks, two lecturers, Professor Lai Osho and Dr Soji Fajenyo laid the blame for the strike extension to the Federal Government’s failure to implement the agreement entered into with the union, calling on the need for government to do the needful. 

The lecturers appealed to both ASUU and representatives of the Federal Government to urgently return to the dialogue table to resolve the issue.

Olajumoke Idowu

Education

NANS Protests ASUU Strike in Ekiti

By Web News 665

The road leading to Ekiti State University Ado Ekiti and Iworoko was barricaded Monday morning by the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS to protest the ongoing strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities.

The protesters called on the federal government to immediately respond to the demands of ASUU with a view to ending the strike.

Addressing newsmen, President, EKSU Student’s Union Government, Mr Emmanuel Alade who led the protest, stressed that the strike was not in the best interest of the students, advising the government to dialogue with the university lecturers.

“Anytime our lecturers are on strike, we are not happy because it will prolong our period of staying in the school, federal government should dialogue with our lecturers so as to end the strike”.

Mr Alade however pleaded with stakeholders in the education sector to intervene in the face off between the two parties, government and lecturers.

On his part, Vice President, EKSU Student’s Union Government, Miss Titilope Adeteye said the protest and road block would continue until the federal government acceded to the demands of the lecturers.

Our correspondent who witnessed  the situation reports that, though the gate of the institution was opened for workers and students , the protest  caused serious gridlock while security personnel were on ground to prevent the protest from being hijacked by hoodlums to prevent  breakdown of Law and order.

Ifeoluwa Falayo

Ifeoluwa Falayo

Education

NANS Gives FG One Week Ultimatum over ASUU Strike

By Web News 565

National Association of Nigeria Students, NANS, has issued a one-week ultimatum to the Federal Government to resolve it’s disagreement with the Academic Staff Union of Universities ASUU or face a Nationwide mass protest by all Nigeria students across the country.

President of the students association, Adedayo Asefon revealed this in Sokoto shortly after signing the reviewed Constitution of the association at the Sokoto state government house.

Mr. Asefon said the students union has given the federal government between now and the 28th of February to meet and resolve the issue with ASUU or face a national mass action by Nigeria students.

He described as unfortunate the attitude of the federal government who he accused of playing hide and seek with ASUU after signing the agreement with the academic union in 1999.

According to him, the government has neglected the education system at the primary and secondary levels.

Mr Asefon cautioned that  NANS is going to take all legal actions available in a bit to restore the system of education from the Primary to tertiary level.

Our Correspondent reports that NANS is in Sokoto for its constitutional review conference where the association reviewed it’s forty years Constitution at the Sokoto State University.

The reviewed Constitution was signed at the Sokoto state government house in the presence of Sokoto state governor, Aminu Tambuwal.

Speaking earlier, Sokoto state governor, Aminu Tambuwal appealed to the Academic Staff Union of the University to find a way of resolving their disagreement without embarking on the protest.

Governor Tambuwal also called on the federal government to find a way of meeting the demands of ASUU despite the economic challenges facing the country.

He also advised the academic union to find a way of resolving the crises other than strike action that has affected the academic pursuit of Nigerian students.

Nasir Malali

Lifestyle

We are not part of any protest against EFCC – NANS

By Web News 736

The National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, has promised to collaborate with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, in the fight against Internet fraud.

The umbrella body of all Nigerian students made the pledge in Ibadan on Tuesday, August 24, 2021 during a courtesy visit to the Ibadan Zonal Command of the EFCC.

Led by the Coordinator, South West Zone D, Comrade Kowe Odunayo Amos, the team expressed the association’s satisfaction with the commission’s effort at ridding Nigeria of economic and financial crimes, and affirmed its readiness to collaborate with EFCC to fight internet fraud across all the nation’s tertiary institutions.

According to Comrade Kowe, “In as much as we appreciate the EFCC, we believe there is more that needs to be done especially now that a lot of youth are involved in financial crimes”.

“Forming a synergy with EFCC will go a long way in fighting corrupt practices that are happening all over the country, especially in the universities”. 

Kowe also disclosed that the association was planning programmes to sensitize youths in tertiary institutions on the ills of corruption.

The NANS leader who disclosed that members of the association are also victims of internet fraud as the luxury lives of fraudsters had eroded youths’ belief in the dignity of hard work, said the union will not tolerate or support any act of criminality.

 “Though, it is our responsibility to protect the interest of students, we will not protect the interest of criminals in our communities,” he said.

He distanced the association from any protest against the commission, noting that, “we love the activities of EFCC within and beyond the shores of Nigeria and we are here to create a long-lasting relationship”.

The Ibadan Zonal Commander, Mr. Kanu Idagu, who received the delegation, expressed delight at the opportunity to interact with the students.

“Nigeria belongs to all of us, the school you are in now is a passage. The commission is trying to strike at the root of corruption so that we will not be dealing with the branches tomorrow; we have a very big challenge to help transform this country so we can leave the shores of this country without discrimination, have equal right and be proud to say we are Nigerians.”

He thanked the student leaders for the visit and their offer to be part of the efforts to make Nigeria a crime-free society.

Mr. Kanu charged them to face life challenges with determination and ensure that they give their best in all they do, saying “hard work pays”.

Wilson Uwujaren

Head, Media & Publicity

25 August, 2021

Education

I Will Give Priority to Physical Infrastructure on Campuses – Dapo Abiodun

By Web News 695

Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun says his administration would reconstruct all access roads within and outside tertiary institutions across the state.

The Governor made this known while playing host to members of National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, and National Association of Ogun State Students, NAOSS, in his Oke-Mosan Abeokuta office.

Governor Abiodun maintained that his administration would continue to make learning environment conducive for students, adding that the state government would give priority to physical infrastructure on campuses.

While explaining that his administration was committed to build hostels for students of state owned tertiary institutions

Through Public,  Private Partnership initiative, the Governor said that the state government would set up a criteria to reward  excellence among the student leaders.

In a remark the Chairman, NANS Ogun State Chapter, Mr. Bamgbose Tomiwa commended the Governor for initiating a reward system for best graduating students in tertiary institutions and for giving the youths a chance to serve in his administration.

Bolanle Adesida

Economy

Protests Across Southwest Over Hike in Petrol, Electricity Tariff

By Web News 706

Nigerian tertiary students in Osun, Oyo and Ondo States have protested the recent hike in electricity tariff and petrol price in the country.

The protest is organised by the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) Zone D.

The students gathered in their hundreds at the different states capital.

In Osogbo, hundreds of protesters converged at Freedom Park, in the Osun State capital.

The students came out with placards showing different inscriptions condemning the hike.

Speaking with PREMIUM TIMES, the students association’s spokesperson, Kazeem Israel, said the increment on the price of petrol and in electricity tariff is anti-people.

“No doubt, this government has worsened all the crises it inherited from the last administration. In fact, the Buhari government is a clear example that we the students must go back to our revolutionary days as we cannot continue to lament,” he said.

“Today, education underfunding has become a norm, healthcare under the pandemic is undergoing cuts officially from government at all levels while the rich run to private hospitals and dash abroad through chartered flights leaving the plebeains to self-medicate.”

Mr Israel said President Buhari should reverse petrol price to N97 and stop the deregulation of the oil sector.

He should “stop the devaluation of the naira now, increase budgetary allocation to education to 35%, return to the old stamp duty price, give 500% increment to healthcare budget to reflect the pandemic era, pay N100,000 Cost of Study Allowance (COSA) to all students and stop the Anti-Social Media Bill Now.”

Speaking further at the protest ground, he told our correspondent that no dialogue with the government would be accommodated.

Electricity distribution companies (DisCos) across the country this month implemented a new electricity tariff regime.

The is as a result of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) directive that DisCos to maintain a N4 tariff for all customers consuming less than 50kWh of energy per month.

The government has also increased the price of petrol with a litre now sold at N162.

Nigerians on social media have called on various opposition leaders to stage protest again the development.

Mr Buhari on Monday reiterated that there was no going back on subsidy removal.

Culled from Premium Times

Education

We are tired of staying at home, reopen schools – NANS to FG

By Web News 720

The National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, has appealed to the federal government to expedite action in ensuring that schools were reopened nationwide.

The Secretary-General Zone A of the association, Mr Abdullahi Salisu made the call while briefing journalists at Nigerian Union of Journalists, NUJ Secretariat in Kano.

He said the union was disturbed with flimsy excuses made available by government officials for delaying the reopening of schools which affects the development of education negatively.

Mr Salisu maintained that after due consultation with security agencies the association had halted its planned protest on the delay of reopening of the schools across the federation.

“We consider it unwise for government to continue keeping our schools closed, while lifting embargo on domestic air travels and planning to conduct elections was on”.

“It is unbelievable that government had approved the reopening of viewing centers, eateries, and markets while school where the common man could access education remain closed”.

The NANS’ Secretary-General appealed to the federal government to revisit its decision on reopening of schools, and stop the arrest and detention of students who protest in demand of their rights, as it happened in Bauchi.

Mr Salisu further explained that the government should come up with a timeline of how to open schools, saying NANS would abide by the terms and conditions the government comes up with.

The association assured Nigerian students that through the cooperation of security agencies and stakeholders, they would explore all legal ways with a view to ensure that Nigerian schools were reopened.

Abdullahi Jalaluddeen