PUBLIC PRESS RELEASE
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIAN STUDENTS (NANS)
SOUTHEAST ZONE
OFFICE OF THE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER
PUBLIC PRESS RELEASE
90 DAYS OF IMSU ASUU STRIKE: GOVERNOR HOPE UZODINMA MUST BREAK HIS SILENCE, STOP PRIORITISING POLITICS OVER EDUCATION AND IMMEDIATELY RESOLVE THE CRISIS, THE NANS LEADERSHIP IN THE STATE ALSO SEEKS FOR A ROUND TABLE DISCUSSION WITH THE STATE GOVERNMENT TO DISCUSS ISSUES FACING THE COMMUNITY.
The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Southeast Zone, expresses its deepest disappointment and outrage over the continued silence of the Imo State Government as the ongoing industrial action by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Imo State University (IMSU) Chapter, has clocked 90 painful days.
Ninety days! Three solid months of academic uncertainty, interrupted dreams, psychological pressure and economic hardship for thousands of students and their parents. Yet, the government that has the constitutional and moral responsibility to protect the educational future of these young people has continued to maintain an unacceptable silence.
Your Excellency, Governor Hope Uzodimma, we ask you directly: Is the politics of the day now more important than the education and future of the next generation of Imo State?
While political activities, alignments, meetings and preparations continue to receive considerable attention, students of Imo State University remain at home, watching their academic calendars collapse and their future become increasingly uncertain.
Is this the priority of a government that claims to be committed to the development of Imo State?
We find it particularly disturbing that the Imo State Government has consistently recognised the importance of students when political mobilisation, rallies and other political activities require their participation. However, when students raise genuine concerns about their education, welfare, security, institutional challenges and academic future, the same students are met with government silence.
Students cannot be important during political rallies and irrelevant during governance!
Let it be clearly understood that students are not political instruments to be activated whenever their presence is needed on campaign grounds. We are stakeholders in the development of Imo State, and our voices must be heard in the decisions that directly affect our lives and future.
Your Excellency, Governor Hope Uzodimma, leadership requires more than political engagements and public appearances. It requires the courage to confront difficult challenges, listen to the people and take decisive action when the future of a generation is at stake.
The IMSU ASUU strike has lasted 90 days. We cannot continue to watch thousands of students remain at home while the relevant authorities engage in what appears to be an endless cycle of silence and administrative inaction.
NANS THEREFORE MAKES THE FOLLOWING STRONG DEMANDS:
- IMMEDIATE GOVERNMENT INTERVENTION:
We demand that H.E Governor Hope Uzodimma immediately intervene in the ongoing IMSU ASUU strike by summoning the relevant authorities, engaging ASUU leadership and IMSU Management, and ensuring that all outstanding issues responsible for the strike are resolved without further delay. - IMMEDIATE ROUND-TABLE MEETING WITH IMO STUDENTS’ LEADERSHIP:
We demand that the H.E Governor convene an urgent roundtable discussion with the recognised leadership of the student community in Imo State, including NANS leadership, The Zonal leadership in the state, the Joint Campus Council (JCC), and the Council of SUG Presidents across tertiary institutions in the state.
This meeting must provide an opportunity for students to present their concerns directly to the Governor and discuss practical solutions to the challenges confronting the Imo State students’ community.
- A FUNCTIONAL STUDENT-GOVERNMENT ENGAGEMENT FRAMEWORK:
We demand a permanent communication and consultation structure between the Imo State Government and student leadership. Students should not have to wait for political seasons before their concerns receive government attention. - COMPREHENSIVE ATTENTION TO STUDENTS’ WELFARE:
Beyond the IMSU strike, the government must address the numerous challenges confronting students across tertiary institutions in Imo State, including security, transportation, institutional welfare, infrastructure and other pressing academic concerns.
A DIRECT MESSAGE TO H.E GOVERNOR HOPE UZODINMA
Your Excellency, history will not only remember the political achievements of your administration; it will also remember how your government treated the young people whose future depends on the decisions you make today.
We are not asking for political favours. We are demanding responsible governance, accountability and attention to the educational welfare of Imo students.
We are not enemies of the government, neither are we instruments of the opposition. We are representatives of the student community, and our responsibility is to speak whenever the interests of students are threatened.
Our silence cannot be purchased with political appointments, and our concerns cannot be dismissed simply because they are inconvenient.
Ninety days is enough! Imo students cannot continue to pay the price of unresolved disagreements between government and university authorities.
We call on H.E Governor Hope Uzodimma to demonstrate leadership by personally intervening in this matter and opening the doors of Government House to the legitimate leadership of Imo students for an urgent roundtable discussion.
The government must act now. The future of thousands of young people cannot continue to hang in the balance.
EDUCATION IS NOT A POLITICAL CAMPAIGN TOOL. STUDENTS ARE NOT POLITICAL ACCESSORIES. OUR FUTURE DESERVES PRIORITY!
NANS Southeast Zone remains committed to constructive engagement, but we will not abandon our responsibility to defend the interests and welfare of Nigerian students.
ENOUGH OF THE SILENCE. END THE STRIKE. ENGAGE THE STUDENTS. SAVE THE FUTURE!
Signed:
Comr. Ogbuehi Chikwado Pius
Public Relations Officer
National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS)
Zone F (Southeast)