By Gbenga Akingbule
The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) Borno State Chapter, on Thursday, directed students of the University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID) not to proceed with the newly hiked registration fees/charges, stating that measures are being taken to ensure a reversal.
Gatekeepers News reports that NANS admonish the students to await its Strategic Action Plan before taking further action with regard to payment of registration fees and charges.
In a press statement signed by Mohammed Babagana Mustapha, Publicity Secretary of NANS, Borno State Chapter stated that “90% of independent students,” can not afford the new fees hike.
UNIMAID authorities had on Tuesday 10th January informed its students that they can pay the new fees/charges in two instalments; 60 % for the first semester and 40% for the second.
“I write to inform you that, to cushion the effects of the upward review, the council has already approved the payment of the fees and charges in two (2) instalments,” Ahmad A. Lawan, Registrar of UNIMAID had said.
But this stand was vehemently rejected by NANS as they described the act of the UNIMAID Governing Council as” inhuman considering the economic misfortunes currently in place.”
According to the statement “the bulletin from the management of UNIMAID, urging students to pay the new fee and charges via instalments has vindicated some students’ assertion, that the fee is not only exorbitant but also inhuman considering the economic misfortunes currently in place.
“In view of the above, we urge all students of UNIMAID not to proceed with any payment of whatsoever fee, as the leadership of NANS is currently making consultations and consolidation on the matter.
“As the Nigerians’ right to protest is safeguarded under sections 38, 39, 40 and 41 of the 1999 Constitution, Articles 18, 19 and 20 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, if pushed to an extreme end, we will not hesitate to come out together with our parents and guardians to voice out our displeasures, disappointments and frustrations in an assembled and peaceful manner each day till the total reversal of the increment fee and other charges.
“Toward this end, we urge our great father, the Vice Councillor of the university of Maiduguri, whom we know as the “UBAN MARAYU of UNIMAID“ to please help thousands of his children in working for the reversal of the fee and other charges increment to where we can afford.
“Finally, we salute the courage of our leader, the National Vice President (Special Duties) Comrade Suleiman Muhammad Sarki for his resolute stand towards seeing an end to this cankerworm that is on the verge of turning thousands of our students to dropouts,” the Publicity Secretary of NANS ( Borno State Chapter) said.
