‘We’re against it’: Lagos students dissociate selves from planned protest

Students of tertiary institutions in Lagos State have dissociated themselves from the planned nationwide protest over economic hardship in the country.

The planned protest tagged, #EndBadGovernanceinNigeria, is scheduled for August 1 to  August 10, 2024, to draw the attention of President Bola Tinubu’s administration to the plight of Nigerians and the rising cost of living in the country.

Speaking on Tuesday, July 23, the President of the National Association of Lagos State Students (NULASS), Alimi Lekan-Idris, said students of tertiary institutions in the state strongly supported the administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and vowed to protect the state against such a protest.

Lekan-Idris, who spoke at a press conference at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital College of Medicine in Ikeja, highlighted the interventions of the Sanwo-Ol’s administration in secondary and tertiary education institutions.

The NULASS president listed the interventions to include an increase in annual bursary to indigent students and payment of the West Africa Secondary School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) fee.

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

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

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“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.”

Lekan-Idris added that tertiary institution students in Lagos would stage a solidarity walk in support of the state government.

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

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

The Star