Lagos students dissociate selves from planned nationwide protest

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

The planned protest, which will take place from August 1 to August 10, 2024, has been labeled #EndBadGovernanceinNigeria.”

It is intended to draw President Bola Tinubu’s attention to Nigerians’ misery and the country’s rising cost of living.

Alimi Lekan-Idris, President of the National Association of Lagos State Students, made the announcement during a news conference at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital College of Medicine in Ikeja.

The NULASS president stated that students at Lagos State’s tertiary institutions fully support Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration and vowed to safeguard Lagos from such a protest.

Lekan-Idris noted the Sanwo-Olu administration’s interventions in secondary and postsecondary educational institutions.

He described the actions as an increase in annual bursaries for indigent students and payment of the West Africa Secondary School Certificate Examination fee.

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

“Given these 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 recognize the advancement and opportunities that have been provided to cushion the economic effect, and we hope other states can emulate Lagos State.”

Lekan-Idris also stated that tertiary education students in Lagos State would hold a solidarity walk in support of the state government.

According to him, the solidarity walk would take place from August 1 to 10, 2024, to prevent damage of public infrastructure in Lagos, while also pushing for constructive discussion as a preferable method to conflict resolution.

The union head urged Nigerians to persevere in order to reap the benefits of democracy under the Tinubu administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda.