From Fred Ezeh, Abuja
Leadership of National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has reassured Nigerian students that they are working with the Federal Government representatives and other relevant stakeholders to end the almost six months old nationwide strike that has crippled academic and non-academic activities in the universities.
NANS Vice President (Special Duties), Odiahi Thomas Ikhine, who addressed a press conference in Abuja, yesterday, said they have secured appointment to meet with the ministers of Education, Adamu Adamu, and his Labour and Employment counterpart, Chris Ngige.
He said: “At the meeting, we would discuss lot of issues regarding the ongoing strike because we are almost in the dark. The last time we met with the officials, they gave us assurance they would resolve the matter in few weeks, but long after that, the issue was yet to be resolved.
“We need to get updated information on the matter so we can be able to give updated information to the rest of students who elected us to pilot their affairs.
“Aside that, we are doing our best to pressure the government to see the reason they should fasten discussions that would herald an end to the strike.
“Part of the pressure was the nationwide protest by the Nigeria Labour Congress in solidarity with the Nigerian students. We fully participated in the protest.
“However, we have tone down our street agitations because of the volatile state of insecurity in Nigeria.
“In addition to that, other students unions have been encouraged to take other legitimate measures would further put pressure on the government to suspend the six months old nationwide strike.”
He, however, confirmed that efforts are being made to conduct national convention that would herald emergence of new set of leaders for the umbrella body of students in Nigeria.
Meanwhile, the students leaders have asked the security agencies to go after some acclaimed students leaders who have been going about discrediting the personality of the Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele.
The students leaders, thus described the students as impostors and dissociated themselves from their activities and demand the sack of CBN governor over what they described as bastardisation of the nation’s economy.