A mild drama ensued on Thursday, May 14, at the University of Abuja as the students of the institution locked out the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minster, Senator Bala Mohammed, and other senior government officials over their demands that were not met.
The students who surrounded the entrance and exit gates of the FCT Administration (FCTA) Secretariat in Area 11, Garki District, Abuja, for some hours requested among other things; a school bus to carry them to their various conventions; development of UniAbuja Unity Park; find solutions to their water supply challenges and furnish the common room of the National Association of Students (NANS) Chairman.
The students were led by the NANS Chairman in the campus, Comrade Friday Omadewu Adayi, they stayed at the FCTA Secretariat from 12.00pm till yesterday evening, with threats not to leave the place until their demands are met.
However, some leaders of the students later met with FCT officials, who promised to look into their demands.
According to Daily Post, the students action barred the minister from gaining entrance into his office to carry out his duties yesterday.
The
FCTA, however, condemned the protest noting that it was wrong for the
students to use force to arm-twist the government to fulfill requests
that are not their responsibilities, but the Federal Ministry of
Education.
Reacting to the incident, Special Assistant, Media to the Minister, Nosike Ogbuenyi, said:“The
point should be stressed that it is not part of FCTA’s official
responsibility to furnish the NANS Chairman’s common room at the
University of Abuja or to provide internal infrastructure in Federal
universities. Similarly, government action on the kind of demands made
by the students is discretionary and dependent on resource availability.
“Nonetheless, the FCTA cherishes robust relationship with NANS even though it frowns at any attempt to hold it to ransom by students over welfare and logistics demands by individuals or groups.
“The FCTA advises the students to desist from lawless acts like blocking of gates. However, the Administration will continue to assist students through its various mechanisms including award of scholarships. It will equally continue to give logistics support to students’ organizations such as NANS provided that due process is followed and sufficient notice given in all cases. While we are doing this, we call on parents to always watch their children and wards closely by calling them to order whenever the need arise
“The FCT Administration through its Water Board has provided potable and wholesome water to the residents of the Federal Capital Territory including Gwagwalada township by the recent commissioning of the Lower Usuma Dam Phases III & IV Water Treatment Plants and therefore it is the duty of individuals, institutions and corporate organizations to undertake water reticulation in their areas of abode,” he concluded.
Meanwhile,
the publisher of Desert Herald newspaper, Mallam Tukur Mamu, has called
on the President-elect, Muhammadu Buhari, to probe the minister of the
FCT for alleged corruption and gross abuse of office.“Nonetheless, the FCTA cherishes robust relationship with NANS even though it frowns at any attempt to hold it to ransom by students over welfare and logistics demands by individuals or groups.
“The FCTA advises the students to desist from lawless acts like blocking of gates. However, the Administration will continue to assist students through its various mechanisms including award of scholarships. It will equally continue to give logistics support to students’ organizations such as NANS provided that due process is followed and sufficient notice given in all cases. While we are doing this, we call on parents to always watch their children and wards closely by calling them to order whenever the need arise
“The FCT Administration through its Water Board has provided potable and wholesome water to the residents of the Federal Capital Territory including Gwagwalada township by the recent commissioning of the Lower Usuma Dam Phases III & IV Water Treatment Plants and therefore it is the duty of individuals, institutions and corporate organizations to undertake water reticulation in their areas of abode,” he concluded.
Post a Comment