The National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, Osun Joint Campus Committee, JCC, has said that its members throughout the state would stage a public demonstration if Governor Ademola Adeleke does not intervene in issues concerning students welfare.
Speaking on behalf of the organisation, Ogungbe Taiwo denounced the indiscriminate rise in school fees by state-owned higher education institutions, as well as the poor quality of school infrastructure, including road networks across multiple campuses in the state.
He went on to say that the country’s hardships are having a major impact on students, and that a lack of welfare packages/palliatives in the form of mobility help and scholarships has exacerbated the state’s student population’s situation.
He said:
“Students demand the immediate reversal of increased school fees in Osun State-owned institutions. It’s disheartening seeing the pain on students in this present hardship we all faced. We hereby call for total reversal of the increase tuition fees, failure to act promptly will result in mass mobilization by the student body and relocation of our Secretariat to the office of the Governor.
“We express deep disappointment towards the government of Governor Ademola Nurudeen Jackson Adeleke for neglecting student welfare. Despite initial hope, anti-student policies have been implemented, and we are still lacking behind other Southwest state ,we urge the government to prioritize student concerns.
“We reiterate our demand for adequate palliatives and infrastructure improvements to enhance the learning environment on campuses. The Road networks across the tertiary institutions is in a very terrible state and yet nothing is been done to make it pliable. Most of our lectures hall are bellow standard.
“Despite our efforts through letters to government authorities, indifference persists. Therefore, we issue a seven-day ultimatum to the government to address our demands. Failure to do so will result in peaceful protests and roadblocks in Osogbo, the state capital.
“These demands represent the collective voice of students across higher institutions in Osun State, endorsed by the student union presidents in the state. We urge the government to heed our calls and prioritize the welfare and rights of Nigerian students.”
cc: Vanguard Ng
