The new leadership of the National Association of University Students (NAUS) has urged all its members across universities in Nigeria and abroad to shun the proposed protest scheduled to hold on October 1, 2024 on the nation’s 64th Independence Day anniversary.
Newly elected President of NAUS, Comrade Josiah Oche Peter, speaking at his maiden news conference on the state of the nation Sunday in Abuja, however, lamented the economic hardships being faced in the country as a result of fuel subsidy removal and other economic reforms being carried out by the current administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
While noting students were worst affected by the economic crisis, Peter called on the Federal Government to distribute 3,000 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses to all institutions to help cushion the effects of subsidy on university students.
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He equally urged the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) to take proactive steps to ensure all filling stations sell premium motor spirit (PMS) at a uniform price and to make sure the nation’s refineries are operational.
He said NAUS is opposed to the proposed protest being organised by some group, warning that such protest could be hijacked by hoodlums causing more pains to the innocent citizens in the wake.
He assured all university students that NAUS leadership would positively engage in dialogue with relevant authorities to protect interests of students, adding that protest could only be the last resort if the demands were not met.
He also expressed appreciation for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s efforts towards educational reforms and Nigerian Students Loan Fund (NELFUND) innovation.
He said the students passed a vote of confidence on the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Students Engagement, Hon. Sunday Asefon Dayo, whom he noted has been up and doing in ensuring that the welfare of students and other benefits get to the students directly.
The NAUS President commended Asefon, saying his experience, and versatile skills in handling the students community at a time like this, has kept students out of street (protests).
The leadership of NAUS also commended the Executive Secretary of Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) Arc. Sonny Echono for changing the narratives of the Fund, and bringing a paradigm shift, which has brought tremendous development to tertiary institutions in Nigeria.
“Having observed the current hardships, from foreign exchange irregularities to fuel scarcity, skyrocketing food prices, and the general decline in living conditions, we felt it necessary to address the nation and the student populace.
“We recognize the profound difficulties caused by the recent hike in fuel prices and understand the strain it places on our students and society.
“We appeal to the Federal Government to distribute 3,000 CNG buses to all institutions to help mitigate the impact of subsidy removal on university students.
“NAUS calls on the NNPC to ensure all filling stations sell PMS at a uniform price and to encourage companies like Dangote to build more refineries to alleviate the effects of high fuel prices on Nigerians while appealing for a reduction in petroleum product prices.
“We urge all university students to shun all forms of protest, as we will engage in dialogue with relevant authorities to protect NAUS’s interests, except as a last resort if our demands are not met.”
