National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has warned that Nigeria would be shut down if their demands to ameliorate nationwide economic hardship are not met.
The students are kicking against what they described as “skyrocketing prices of essential commodities” nationwide.
The Chairman, NANS’Joint Campus Committee (JCC) Bauchi axis, Mr. Usman Mansur, issued the warning when he spoke to newsmen on Wednesday at Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) secretariat, Bauchi.
The students strongly condemned the “persistent lack of power supply nationwide, and exorbitant rates of electricity units that have created serious hardship for the Nigerian populace”.
“This dire situation directly affects the ability of students to pursue their education and it is contributing to overall deterioration of our quality life”.The present situation directly impacts the welfare and livelihood of Nigerian students”.
NANS are further demanding immediate resignation of the Federal Minister of Power,and Group Managing Director (GMD) Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) for their inefficiency, stressing failure to do so could lead to students’ next reaction.
The Federal Government, according to NANS’ demands, should urgently address “these critical issues by taking concrete measures to alleviate economic hardship facing Nigerian people in addition to our demands for transparency and accountability in the management of public resources to ensure the welfare of Nigerian citizens.
Bauchi Gov. Sen. Bala Mohammed, however received kudos from the students for “committed attention to education and students’ welfare”
On streets demonstration, Mansur, debunked claims that students were prevailed upon not to go on street protest, saying “security situation in our country today does not warrant such demonstration. AOur demonstration may be misunderstood or hijacked by enemies of progress”.