NANS KICKS AGAINST N2500 POST UTME SCREENING FEE

NANS KICKS AGAINST N2,500 POST-UTME 'SCREENING FEE' The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), condemns in its totality, the introduction of the 'Admission Screening Fee of N2,500' by the Federal Government through the Ministry of Education. NANS, which has been, and will always be against any and every kind of exploitation of Nigerian students in any guise, was relieved by the recent Ban on Post-UTME, as it was a long overdue decision to end the exploitation of Nigerian students seeking admission. The Ban on Post-UTME was a policy that endeared the FG to the hearts of Nigerian masses, it was widely jubilated and welcomed by all concerned stakeholders in the Nigerian Education sector. It is surprising, appalling, anti-masses, and unethical, for the Federal Government, to bow to the pressure from the head of tertiary institutions by making a U turn to reintroduce the 'Post-UTME Screening Fee'. It is tantamount to the FG being insensitive to the growing economic meltdown being experienced by the parents and guardians of these prospective students all over the country. Then one begins to wonder - where is the consistency in the policy formulation of the APC-led FG? Furthermore, NANS views the introduction of the 'Post-UTME Screening Fee' as another way of extorting and exploiting potential Nigerian Students. It is another dubious and cunning avenue of enriching the management of various tertiary institutions across the length and breadth of Nigeria. It is on this note that NANS, as the custodian of the rights and privileges of the entire Nigerian Students, is stating emphatically that the students are no longer comfortable with this current administration and her fluctuating, criss-carpeting policies in the Education Sector in particular and other sectors in general. Due to this unstable and 'voodoo' policies, the economy of the country is in a comatose state, on the brink of collapse. In view of the above, NANS, first and foremost, hereby pass a vote of 'No Confidence' on the Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu, with a request for his removal as the Minister of Education. Secondly, NANS also declares a 'Vote of No Confidence' on the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari. We hereby call on all members of the National Assembly - the Senate and the House of Representatives, to begin, as a matter of National importance and patriotic interest, the impeachment process against the President on the basis of incompetency in the discharge of his duty as the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Nigerian Students can no longer keep mute in the face of the general hardship confronting the Nigerian masses. Our parents and guardians have become incapable of sending us 'pocket money/stipends' for our upkeep talkless of paying for our tuition fees. The Food and Provision stores in all our various campuses are undergoing abysmally low patronage from students due to the ever increasing high price tag of virtually all commodities. We can not continue to keep mute while our future is being mortgaged and shortchanged by this present administration. Enough of the pre-election cajole of the APC, it is time for post-election performance by the APC. It is advisable that President Muhammadu Buhari resigns honourably, as it is obvious that the task of managing the country is too enormous and herculean for his aged fragile shoulders, before the National Assembly commences impeachment process against him. President Muhammadu Buhari should resign honourably and allow Professor Yemi Osinbajo, who has proven to be very competent on economic matters take over and pilot the affairs of the country. Finally, NANS gives the Federal Government, and the Ministry of Education, a 3-working day Ultimatum to reverse it's decision on imposition of 'Post-UTME Screening Fee', as the most important stakeholder in the Nigerian Education sector - the Nigerian Students (through NANS) were not a party to the clandestine meeting and fraudulent arrangement that reached the anti-students decision to impose and introduce 'Post-UTME Screening Fee'. It will be better they toe the path of honour, reason and patriotic service by making the 'Post-UTME Screening Excercise' free for all prospective Nigerian students. Failure to keep to this objective, progressive and sacrosanct demand will result in NANS mobilising, in full strength, to stage a week long protest at the Headquarters of the Ministry of Education, Abuja. Aluta Continua... Victoria Ascerta!