TETFund urges Nigerian students to defend campus infrastructure during protests
Arc. Sonny Echono, the Executive Secretary of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), has urged Nigerian students to protect campus infrastructure during the next statewide protest, which is set to take place from August 1 to 10.
Echono made this plea at a meeting with a delegation from the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), headed by National President Comrade Lucky Emonefe, in Abuja.
Echono emphasized the need to safeguard infrastructure financed by public funds and warned against allowing disruptive factions to co-opt demonstrations.
He emphasized the need of a consistent academic schedule, as directed by President Bola Tinubu, and disclosed TETFund’s intentions to build 36 contemporary dormitory facilities in 2024, with a mandate to double this figure to 72 in 2025. In addition, Echono addressed the conversion of campus buses to Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and the supply of mass transit vehicles for students.
Echono noted that there are continuing conversations with the Ministry of Power to address the problem of high power costs experienced by colleges and explore other alternatives. In addition, he said that the president had instructed for the prompt settlement of the outstanding wage arrears, which amounted to four months, owing to the university staff unions, SSANU and NASU.
Echono encouraged students to choose conversation instead of rallies, highlighting President Tinubu’s willingness to attentively address their problems. After engaging in productive negotiations, NANS made the decision not to proceed with a nationwide demonstration. Emonefe expressed optimism in attaining greater results via communication.
He emphasized that discussions, not demonstrations, achieved past accomplishments such as the student loan program.
Emonefe also sought TETFund’s assistance in setting up a central office for Nigerian students and advancing agricultural initiatives at universities to create financial resources. He guaranteed that NANS will oversee and thwart any endeavors to use students for the purpose of protests.
CREDIT: Allschoolabs, ALLSCHOOL
READ RELATED POSTS >>
No products in the cart.