NANS gives Akeredolu 24 hours ultimatum to revise school fees

The National Association of Nigeria Students (NANS) on Tuesday gave Gov. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State, 24 hours ultimatum to revise the school fees of four state higher institutions to the initial fees.

The four higher institutions are Adekunle Ajasi University, Akungba (AAUA), Ondo State University of Science and Technology, Okitipupa (OSUSTECH);  Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo and Ondo State School of Nursing, Akure.

Mr Danielson Akpan Bamidele, President of NANS, made the calls while speaking with the newsmen in Akure.

Bamidele, who said that NANS had come to take its responsibilities and future in its hands, alleged that some state governments had introduced new policies to enhance education in their various states but Gov. Akeredolu was not doing same.

According to him, we have come to a point where, we will not allow any government to run the affairs of any state especially the part of it that affects us directly in the manner that pleases them.

He said that decisions on policy should affect the people positively, “Since the return of democracy in 1999, Ondo State Government had made free education available for all from primary to secondary level.

“Adefarati came and initiated that policy, Agagu came to sustain it, Mimiko spent two terms he consolidated it, so Akeredolu should not only sustain it but improve on it.

“AAUA school fees was N63, 000 initially but the state government increased it to N200, 000 before it was later reduced to N180, 000 with a promise to revise it to normal in the next session.

“Also OSUSTECH was N70, 000 and increased to N200, 000, School of Nursing, Akure and Rufus Giwa Polytechnic fees were increased too.

“WAEC, which used to be paid for by the state government, has been stopped without apology to anyone.

“Gov. Akeredolu should please help our students, who do not have hope to be educated as a matter of urgency, he should revise all the school fees of the state’s higher institutions to the initial fees.

“We are giving him 24 hours ultimatum to do that because we are not ready to fight him but to yield to the yearnings of the students and their parents.

“Ondo State was known for producing the best of the best when it comes to education in this country and it is also known as the bedrock of education in the country,” he said.

He, therefore, called on parents and guardians to join hands with the association to fight the course on behalf of the students.