By Seyi Babalola
National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), said Nigerian students are unwilling to sacrifice educational institutions’ academic calendars for planned protests.
Lucky Emonefe, the association’s national president, said this on Wednesday in Abuja during a town hall gathering for youths, students, and civil society members to discuss the planned demonstration on August 1.
NANS organized the town hall meeting in partnership with Mr. Osahon Okunbo, chairman of the Wells Carlton Hotel and Apartments.
Emonefe urged students and youths in the country to be law abiding and resist any call for protest.
“We are not interested in anything that will obstruct our current academic calendar; we want to continue with our studies because our academic pursuit is very important to us.
“Coming out to demonstrate is not the way to go because it can be hijacked, public peace will be disrupted and properties destroyed.
“In spite of the fact that we did not agree with those calling for demonstrations, we are very hungry, times are hard and there are harsh economic policies.
“We believe that we can engage government positively through dialogue; we are calling on government to look at some of the policies and address them,” he said.
The NANS president commended the convener of the town hall meeting for the initiative, adding that it was a way for youths in the country to express their grievances.
