Nigerians students, under the canopy of National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has expressed concern that students were not involved in the process of the a Bill on student loan which President Bola Ahmed Tinubu signed into law yesterday, June 12.
The executive members of the Association, who visited the President today, June 13, at the Presidential villa, Abuja noted that it’s an irony that other unions that have nothing to do with students affairs were involved.
The NANS President, Usman Umar Barambu, told newsmen shortly after the visit that the involvement of such bodies as Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) and others would not serve the interest of the students.
The students however commended President Tinubu for signing the Bill, sponsored by the immediate past Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, into law, but insisted that students should be brought in while removing the bodies that are not relevant.
The Student Loan Bill is meant to provide loans to indigent students such that no Nigerian student in tertiary institution will drop out of school over inability to pay school fees.
Earlier while speaking before the President, Usman Umar thanked him for what he had been doing to the country since he assumed responsibility as the President.
“We want to equally thank you for the Students Loan Bill.”
He assured the the President that students support the removal of fuel subsidy.
”It takes a great person to take that bold step of removing the subsidy on petrol.
“Some people contacted us to protest against that decision, but we said no!
”The well is dry and ‘Baba’ cannot give what we don’t have now.
“We have to accept reality and face that challenge squarely so that together we can rescue the country. “Today we are saying ‘yes’ to fuel subsidy removal and we will stand with that decision.”
This was even as President Tinubu on pledged that his administration would commit more resources to the education sector to ensure that every Nigerian child, regardless of their background, has access to quality education.
The President stressed that poverty should not be a barrier to education, emphasizing the transformative power of education in combating poverty.
”If we all believe that education is the greatest weapon against poverty then we have to invest in it.
”Poverty should not prevent anybody, any child, including the daughter or son of a wood seller, ‘Bole’ (plantain) seller or yam seller from attaining their highest standard of education, to eliminate poverty.
”If you eliminate poverty from one family, you can carry the rest of the weight.”
President Tinubu promised to consider the requests of the NANS leaders, urged the students’ body to ensure unity among its members across the country to achieve more.
”You have to promote unity and stability among each other. You have to employ democratic means in your programmes and elections. I have to say anyone who is unable to accept and celebrate a free and fair election, does not deserve the joy of victory.”
The President expressed his appreciation for the students’ support of the removal of subsidy on petrol, explaining the reasons behind the decision and the need to curb smuggling.
”I’m glad you understand the reason for the subsidy removal. We were at a point where Nigeria tried to draw water from a dry well and that is no longer acceptable and we equally must not continue to service the smugglers because they used to take our tankers and Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) across the borders. We will put our money where our mouth is.”
