Nationwide Protest: Count us out – Students Association

Folalumi Alaran in Abuja

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has said they will not be part of the planned nationwide protest against hunger and poor governance.

The association spoke at a town hall meeting yesterday organized for youths, students and members of the civil society organization to interface ahead of the August 1 planned protest tagged #EndBadGovernance.

They expressed concerns that the planned protest may be hijacked by hoodlums to cause chaos and disrupt the peace of the country.

The national president of the association, Lucky Emonefe, who spoke on behalf of the association said Nigerian students are not ready to compromise the academic calendars of educational institutions for planned protests.

The town hall meeting was convened by NANS in collaboration with the chairman of Wells Carlton Hotel and Apartments, Mr Osahon Okunbo.

He said, “ We are not interested in anything that will obstruct our current academic calendar; we want to continue with our studies because our academic pursuit is very important to us.

“Coming out to demonstrate is not the way to go because it can be hijacked, public peace will be disrupted and properties destroyed. In spite of the fact that we did not agree with those calling for demonstrations, we are very hungry, times are hard and there are harsh economic policies.

“We believe that we can engage government positively through dialogue; we are calling on government to look at some of the policies and address them,” he said.

Speaking to journalists during the meeting, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on student engagement, Asefon Adedayo called on students to shun any calls to participate in nationwide protests.

He said, “ I am here to represent the President and inform my colleagues and friends about the efforts and plans of this government. I urge everyone to refrain from engaging in baseless and faceless protests that could lead to unintended consequences.

“ Many of those advocating for protests are outside the country, influencing and funding unrest without understanding the local realities. The economic challenges we face are part of a global situation, not just a local issue, and they require collective attention and effort.”