Lagos students dissociate selves from planned nationwide protest

Students of tertiary institutions in Lagos State, on Tuesday, dissociated themselves from the planned nationwide protest by some Nigerians.

The planned protest is tagged #EndBadGovernanceinNigeria.

It is scheduled for Aug. 1 to Aug. 10 to draw the attention of President Bola Tinubu’s administration to the plight of Nigerians and rising cost of living in the country.

Mr Alimi Lekan-Idris, President, National Association of Lagos State Students (NULASS), on Tuesday made the disclosure at a press conference at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital College of Medicine, Ikeja.

The NULASS president said that students of tertiary institutions in Lagos State strongly supported the administration of Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu and vowed to protect Lagos against such a protest.

He highlighted various interventions of the Sanwo-Olu-led administration in secondary tertiary education institutions.

He listed the interventions to include increase in annual bursary to indigent students and payment of West Africa Secondary School Certificate Examination fee.

“It is crucial that we remember the importance of peace and stability and using dialogue to achieve our collective goals.

“Given this significant contributions and progress we have witnessed, we wish to state that we are not in support of any protest against the government of Lagos State.

“We understand the frustration and challenges faced by many, but we must also recognise the advancement and opportunities that have been provided to cushion the economic effect, and we hope other states can emulate Lagos State,” he said.

He added that tertiary education students in Lagos would stage a solidarity walk in support of the state government.

According to him, the solidarity walk would take place from Aug.1 to Aug. 10, to prevent vandalism of public infrastructure in Lagos while advocating constructive dialogue as a better approach in resolving conflicts.

The union leader appealed to Nigerians to persevere a little to enjoy the dividends of democracy through the Renewed Hope Agenda of the Tinubu led administration.