PRESS STATEMENT
KOGI ON AUTO-REVERSE
The National secretariat of NANS wishes to express her disappointment over some actions/inactions of the Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, especially as it relates to the welfare of Nigerian students of Kogi State origin as the state tends towards an auto-reverse status.
Our position is based on the preliminary report from Joint campus committee, Kogi State Chapter.
- Top on the allegations on the Governor, is his perpetual refusal to mediate/resolve the crisis that led to the continues closure of Kogi State University, Anyigba, which has kept students at home for about three months now, thereby making most of them venerable to social vices and crimes.
- We also decried the refusal of Kogi State Government to continue the age long policy of bursary/scholarship payment to kogi students even when we know the state has not been this buoyant in the last one year. It is our advocacy that the educational sector be accorded it rightful place in accordance to the UNESCO resolutions on educational development globally.
- Also of serious concern is the continues withholding of three state allocations plus bailout funds meant to ameliorate the long suffering workers whose children are already out of school all along. We summarize these actions/inactions of the governor as not only wicked but callous.
- The crippling of banking sector in the state as a result of the poor policy of the state government in directing all staffers to use only designated banks (Access and Zenith Bank) in eventual payment of their arrears, leading to banks closing shops and leading to high retrenchment of staff, thereby worsening the state of already battered labour force and overriding their fundamental human right to basic freedom of chioce.
While we applauded the appointment of young men into governance initially, we are however disappointed in the outcome of their collective actions as a government of the people in Kogi state.
Our Prayers
- Immediate and unconditional reopening of kogi state university, Anyigba.
- Immediate commencement of disbursement of Student scholarship/bursary.
- Prompt payment of staff salaries as at when due without further delay.
- Reversal of the state policy on restricted banking that is killing the one time viable sector with the negative consequences on our tiny economy
We however, hope the S.A Students/youth will do the needful in convincing the Governor on all issues that bothers on student’s welfare packages.
The National Secretariat has therefore resolved, and hereby issue a seven days ultimatum with immediate effect from Monday 4th July, 2016 on the Governor, to respond to our prayers and do the needful before we pass a vote of no confidence on his Excellency the Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello’s administration and start mobilizing Nigerian students down for a total short down of kogi economy, while we occupy the street of Lokoja in solidarity with the poor masses and civil servant.
Thank You.
Comrade Tijani Usman Shehu,
National President
NANS
