The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Southwest, has threatened to shut down all tertiary institutions where student activists are on “illegal” suspension.
The group in a statement exclusively made available to POLITICS NIGERIA by its spokesperson, Kazeem Olalekan Isreal said the level of impunity and rascality being witnessed on campuses is terrible.
“It must be emphasised that the rate at which dissenting students are being expelled at will on our campuses without even a chance of fair-hearing is barbaric, and in many cases, they are embattled with trumped-up charges just to prove cheap political points aimed at subduing them into silence. Again, this is saddening and a clear case of violation of the rule of law taken too far!”
“Today, we now have higher institutions being ruled with iron fists and in clear disregard of the rule of law. However, it need be made known that human rights are not commodities to be given to students by the management nor the government nor by any document. As a matter of fact, the Constitution merely codifies these rights which are ‘inalienable and undeniable.’
“Therefore, any attempt by the management to continuously deny us of our rights which are clearly stated in the Nigerian Constitution as well as regional and international charters and documents, shall at this point in time, be aggressively resisted.”
The association said it ‘feels’ disturbed by the trend which constitutes serious stain on them.
“Without further ado, NANS wishes to state her vehement condemnation of the victimization of students across tertiary institutions in the region. In strong terms, we use this medium to warn that Vice-Chancellors, Rectors and Provosts should immediately desist from these acts of tyranny unleashed on Nigerian students.
“In this light, we subsequently demand the absolute reinstatements of Olujuwon Asubiojo of the Federal College of Education Special Oyo (Sped); Ifemosu Michael of Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta; Arotiba Olawale Affluence and Yusuf Nurudeen Alowonle of Lagos State University.”
“NANS wishes to end this note by stating that all necessary apparatus is in place to mobilize Nigerian students to drive home our demands as we are not unaware of the uncouth tyranny of administrators in our tertiary institutions nowadays. NANS shall resist this as we equally continue the struggle for qualitative and affordable education for Nigerian students.”