Niger students disown protest, get N2bn palliatives, N576m bursary allowances
Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago of Niger state has approved the release of N2bn as palliatives to indigenous students in tertiary institutions in addition to the disbursement of over N576m bursary allowances to students.
The president of the National Association of Niger State Students (NANISS), Comrade Gambo Shehu, stated this at a press briefing in Minna Wednesday.
He said, “Students have since started receiving alerts for the payment of bursary allowances from government following the release of N576m. Also as part of measures to ameliorate hardship in the education sector, Governor Bago also approved the sum of N2bn for palliatives for students.”
He stated that students in Niger state, including those studying outside the state do not have any excuse to participate in the bad governance protest slated for August 1, 2024.
“The leadership of NANISS national headquarters wishes to express its complete confidence and affirm hundred percent support to the current administration for prioritising student’s welfare,” he said.
He advised students in the state to remain calm in their various campuses warning that the association will not be held responsible for whatever happened to those that ignored the advice.
“If you join the protest, anything that happens to you, we are not going to be there for you. You are on your own. We strongly urge all students in Niger state to refrain from participating in this ill-timed and potentially dangerous demonstration,” he said.
He urged members currently in session to remain within their academic environments and focus on their studies, adding that students not in session should stay in their respective homes and avoid unnecessary travel or participation in large gatherings.
