Ondo students promise to steer clear of nationwide protest

• Aiyedatiwa approves payment of bursary, scholarship to students
• Why Nigerians should shun planned protest, by Afenifere
• Oyebanji talks tough, says govt won’t tolerate breakdown of law, order

Student leaders in Ondo State have assured Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa that students across the tertiary institutions in the state would not participate in the planned nationwide protest.

The student leaders, Hammed Oyelade (NAOSS) and Abiola Victor (NANS), who spoke on behalf of the students, during a meeting with the governor in Akure, said that the governor would continue to receive their support.

Earlier, Aiyedatiwa told the students that the payment of bursary and scholarship to the indigenous students of the state and those in the Nigerian Law Schools had been approved.

The governor, who said that the disbursement of the bursary and scholarship would be completed in a few weeks’ time, assured them of the provision of buses for student bodies, enhancement of electricity supply and security on campuses, employment opportunities, and polling units on campuses.

RELATEDLY, the Yoruba socio-cultural group, Afenifere, has declared its stance against the planned nationwide protest and called on the government at the federal and subnational levels to step up efforts to address the hardship in the country.

In a statement, the group reiterates that Reuben Fasoranti is the leader of Afenifere and the authentic voice of the group, and that the role of acting leader is already abrogated while the Council of Elders, headed by Fasoranti himself, now determines the position and direction of Afenifere.

ALSO, the Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, has vowed to ensure protection of life and property of citizens of the state in the wake of the planned nationwide protest .

Oyebanji said Nigeria and its people could not afford “another massive destruction of the economic base” as witnessed during the #EndSARS protest that led to the destruction of many private and government infrastructures.

Afenifere, which in the statement issued by its National Organising Secretary/Acting Secretary-General, Abagun Kole Omololu said it acknowledged the realities of economic challenges and hunger in the land and that it is the right of every citizen to protest as a way of headlining their grievances to the government, however, urged Nigerians to shun the planned action, alleging that it is already taking a sinister dimension.

ALSO, the Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, has vowed to ensure protection of life and property of citizens of the state in the wake of the planned nationwide protest in the country.

Oyebanji said Nigeria and its people could not afford “another massive destruction of the economic base” as witnessed during the #EndSARS protest that led to the destruction of many private and government infrastructures.

The governor, while addressing the people of Ekiti State in a statewide broadcast, yesterday, expressed concern that the planned protest has the potential to degenerate into violence and reverse his administration’s steady progress to shared prosperity.

Oyebanji, in his broadcast across all radio and television stations in the state, clarified that while his administration is not averse to free expression of opinions and displeasures over socio-economic issues, it strongly believes that it should be after due consideration of the overall security implication of such a protest.