THE National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has issued a three month ultimatum to the Federal Government and Council of Legal Education to admit all law graduates of National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) that have been idle for about 5 years after graduation in the Nigerian Law School for vocational training without further delay.
In a communiqué addressed to President Muhammadu Buhari which was signed by the NANS Senate President, Taiwo Bamigbade and Clerk to the NANS Senate, Abdulakeem Rufai, the students body decried the plight the law graduates of NOUN were subjected to since graduation for no justifiable reasons and therefore called on the President to use his good offices to address the matter to ensure that the forthcoming August 2018 admission doesn’t exclude NOUN law graduates. The letter was copied to the Senate President, Bukola Saraki and Speaker, House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara. Others are Hon Minister of Education; Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission (NUC); Director General, Nigerian Law School and the Vice Chancellor, NOUN.
The NANS Senate President who addressed the newsmen on Wednesday in Abuja regretted that Nigerian students have never in history received such blows from government adding that the students body had respectfully allowed the stakeholders to resolve the matter among themselves but disappointed that it is another deliberate attempt by the cabals to exploiting the downtrodden which he said must be resisted forthwith.
Part of the communiqué read, “We state categorically that any injury to one Nigerian student is an injury to all Nigerian students and youths in general. In the light of this, NANS as a body will no matter the price fight against this prolonged injustice, intimidations and mischief if after the August 2018 admission, the innocent NOUN law graduates are still excluded from lists of intakes into the Nigerian Law School, thus a three (3) months ultimatum”.
“It amounts to fraud, deceit, discrimination and mischief against the Nigerian students and inhumanity to vulnerable citizens especially the youths to formally admit, graduate and issue them deficient certificates after several years of studies despite financial implications”.
“We, therefore implore you sir, to use your good offices as a matter of urgency to resolve the lingering crisis as NANS will no longer tolerate any excuses or tactical delays. The unbearable sufferings and cries of these innocent students will no longer be treated lightly by NANS. We look forward to your urgent considerations”, NANS stated.
The students’ umbrella also gave the federal government an option to close down NOUN and Nigerian Law School if they have become tools of oppression against the helpless Nigerian students. However, NANS stated that the body is not concerned on the continuation of law programme in NOUN if opposed by the professional bodies but strongly disagree that innocent Nigerian students who suffered themselves with hard earned money to undertake an accredited course of study in the university as promoted by the relevant bodies will in any way be jeopardized.