Alleged NANS protest: Ekiti students denounce Zone D, hold support rally

By Lere Olayinka

Students of the tertiary institutions in Ekiti State under the aegis of
National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) , have disassociated
themselves from an alleged plan by the NANS zone D to stage an
anti-government protest. They instead shut down the state capital, Ado
Ekiti in a support/solidarity rally for the governor Ayodele Fayose and his
deputy governor, Olusola Kolapo Eleka ahead of the July 14 governorship
poll.

The students said they were drumming support for both governor Ayodele
Fayose and his deputy governor, Olusola Kolapo because of the outstanding
performance their administration has achieved in the state.

They also denounced being part of an alleged planned protest against the
government by a section of the National Association of Nigerian Students
(NANS) zone D, for alleged indifference to students' welfare and the
on-going strike action by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).

The students marched in thousands from the Fajuyi park in Ado Ekiti to the
office of the deputy governor and sang solidarity songs in support of
Fayose and Olusola. They displayed placards with inscriptions that
included phrases such as 'Ekiti students support Fayose', 'Prof eleka is
our choice', 'Fayose leads we follow', 'we love Fayose', 'Ekiti is no 1 in
education, ' and 'Continuity is good for Ekiti, we support it,' among
others.

Addressing the deputy governor at his office, the state chairman of NANS,
Ekiti, Owolabi Temitayo, denounced the planned protest against the state
government by the zone D NANS, saying such development did not receive
their blessing.

Speaking through the state treasurer, NANS, Com. Francis Amos, he said:
"The students body and youths in Ekiti are here in courtesy visit and
solidarity for your continuity agenda and also iron out some grey areas and
to put in proper perspectives some statement sent by some that we don't
know and who are not part of us.

"We are here to denounce those who have threatened to stage a protest
against the state government. We are not part of this.

It should not be a shock to anyone if the Nigerian students in Ekiti show
support for governor Fayose and his deputy Prof. Olusola Kolapo Eleka. This
is because their administration has performed greatly well in the state.
And we can see all their achievement in excellence in education,
construction of many dualized roads, flyover bridge and new ultra modern
market among others. We condemn every activities from the zonal level which
has not followed due process or protocol, they never consulted the NANS
here before they made their move' he said.

Com Osin Sodiq Okikiola, President of the Students Union Government,
college of health science and technology, Ijero Ekiti, said: We students
and the leaders of students in Ekiti have come here to support the
continuity agenda of governor Fayose, he is the architect of modern Ekiti
and has never failed us. We are here to show that all of us are in support
of Fayose and we are not intimidated by anyone from the zonal level and we
condemn any miscreants or hooligans who parade themselves as NANs zone D
because we support the government in improving education in the state. We
know the great strides you have achieved in education and other areas such
as infrastructure and social welfare."

Ojo Abiodun Collins, who identified himself as the Aluta controller of the
Ekiti State University(EKSU), said: we are the students who are suffering
compulsory stay at home as a result of the on going the strike by ASUU,
but we are doing everything possible with all other stakeholders to ensure
the strike is over. As I speak, all the issues raised against government
by ASUU in Ekiti State have been resolved except the salary arrears. Those
of PENCOM, and taxes among others have been resolved. Governor Fayose has
been magnanimous enough to reduce the tax fees from the 100% legal rate to
60% for the lecturers. He has assured to give two months subvention to the
institution for two months salary payment, we therefore call on the ASUU to
return to work and not allow politicians opposed to the current government
to influence them to delay in resuming. We declare our interest and support
for deputy governor Olusola.

"On behalf of Nigerian students and all students of Ekiti, we are giving
Olusola Kolapo Eleka our support, we don't know any body but Oshoko and
Eleka who is our next governor of the state."

Responding to the students, Deputy governor Olusola who described them as
dynamic, intelligent, knowledgeable and understanding young men and ladies,
said: " There is this information that some people who are non stakeholders
in education in Ekiti are coming as a result of illegal support they
enjoyed from the opposition to protest against this government, but I am
highly pleased that you have shown the whole world that you don't have
problem with the state government. You all know that none of the past
governors has shown deep concern for youth growth and education like
Fayose. Since the inception of Ekiti State we have never performed this
well in education.

"We used to perform below expectation before now, but when Fayose came in
his first tenure, he met education in bad shape, with his effort and others
the state moved up and improved in NECO and JAMB. In this second term , he
has recorded unprecedented success.

Some who have PhD in war studies had come and destroyed the sector and
sacked teachers. We stepped in and put in some measures which today have
made Ekiti to restore the old glory and came first back to back in 2016,
2017 NECO exams.

We scored as high as 73% from 40%. This shows that we have, at helms of
affairs, a man who understands it. The same set of teachers which someone
with PhD in war studies described as poor, Fayose has trained to make our
students come top.

"But some non stakeholders are now saying because of ASUU strike, the
government is not doing well for education, we disagree with that and you
have also disagreed with them.

I wish that you will all be greater than myself. We had serious challenges
with college of medicine before we came but it has got accreditation under
us. Industrial dispute is a normal thing, if a father can disagree with
children but after appropriate dialogue they would discuss and agree. We
are bound to have divergent views in labour unions. What is happening today
in our schools is a minor issue.

"Many of the issues have been resolved, delay in salary payment was caused
by bad economy under Preisident Buhari. We are experiencing terrible
recession, while the drivers in the economy sector don't know what they are
doing. The governor has agreed to pay two months subventions to ensure two
months salary arrears for our lecturers. I am appealing to my colleagues
since the government has shifted grounds they should suspend the strike. I
believe they are reasonable people who love Ekiti.

"To those who are planning protest against the government , it is illegal
and unethical for you to disrupt our state even when you don't have the
consent of the students' leaders in Ekiti because the issues NANS of zone D
raised have been resolved. Bursary payment will soon be made. We had paid
all outstanding of the bursary left by the previous government. I thank you
for showing solidarity for this government. I want to assure you that the
robust partnership and relationship with you will continue. I will remain
assessable to you.

"Those who have been rusticated from our higher institutions but are still
parading themselves as students leaders are the ones being used to cause
crisis in the state by the opposition. Follow your leaders that you know.

If you want continuity what we must do is to get your voters card. Mobilize
your colleagues across board to get their voters cards. There are many
advantages we would get from getting voters cards, " he said.