NANS wants FG to address poor social amenities in tertiary institutions

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has appealed to the Federal Government to address the issue of students welfare, such as poor social amenities in various universities in the country.

NANS president Chinonso Obasi, who made the call in a statement in Abuja on Friday, said that this would go a long way in creating environment conducive for the Nigerian students to learn.

“We call on the Federal Government to take the issues of student’s welfare serious.

“We want the Federal Government to take the infrastructural decay and poor social amenities in various campuses very seriously.

“We also want to call on President Muhammadu Buhari to beam the anti-corruption searchlight on the nation’s tertiary institutions,” he said.

He, however, expressed happiness over the unconditional release of 13 students of University of Lagos (UNILAG) from detention at the Kirikiri Maximum Prison.

A Special Offences Mobile Court in Lagos had on April 1, remanded 13 UNILAG students in Kirikiri Prisons, pending their bail applications.

The accused persons were alleged to have engaged in unlawful invasion of Television Continental in Lagos.

They were arraigned on a two-count charge of unlawful invasion and disruption of activities which they all pleaded not guilty.

Obasi said their release came before the expiration of 24-hour ultimatum given to a Special Offences Mobile Court in Lagos to free the students or the union would relocate to the Kirikiri Prisons.

“Our joy stems mainly from the fact that the gesture from the special court averted what would have undoubtedly sparked off a major students’ unrest in the country.

“Because we were greatly pained that such a harsh punishment would be handed to long-suffering students at a time of immense socio-economic challenges.

He, therefore, commended the magistrate and the Special Offences Mobile Court for the wisdom and circumspection displayed in the matter.

The NANS president urged the police authorities to always treat university undergraduates with care and caution, knowing the hard economic and social conditions they go through.

“Because any attempts to deny students their right of free speech or treat their peaceful protest against high handed policies usually lead to needless violence and destruction of property,’’ Obasi noted.