NIGERIAN STUDENTS FIGHTS AGAINST NO ELECTION HOLIDAYS BY FG

The decision of the Federal
Government to ensure academic
activities continue in public
schools across the nation has been
greeted with so many criticisms
from students .
The honourable Minister of
Education, Mallam Ibrahim
Shekarau after his meeting with
commissioners for education
nationwide on Monday decided to
dump the idea of giving students
election break so as not to further
disrupt academic calendar.
The minister cited the impromptu
Ebola break whose effect is still
been felt in the sector.
Studentsin nigeria have however chided the
minister and those who sat with
him to take such decision as not
weighing arguments properly before
making their pronouncements.
Even as the Students’ Union leaders
Of most nigerian universities
continue to dance to the gallery on
their own opinion about the much
talked about election break
whenever they are asked,  for example the studient Union
President of OAU, Ibikunle Isaac Motunrayo
confirmed to the media yesterday
that students of OAU do not need to
be given any election break.
Ibikunle’s comment of ‘no election
break’ for OAU students has further
heightened and heated arguments
among students as to why the
Students’ Union president has to say
such thing without consulting the
students as such matter relates
directly to their welfare.
“This is a criminal way of
supporting the disenfranchisement
of Great nigerian students in the coming
elections” a student said.
Other argument raised by students
is that they are involved in the
electioneering process.
For those that are not part of the
electorates, they will be serving as
electoral officers in their various
states.
“I registered for the INEC adhoc job
because of the money involved so
that I will be able to pay the
increased school fees come next
semester but with the no election
break announcement, I am seriously
confused” a funaab student
lamented.
Some other students who expressed
fear over what may ensue after the
February 14 poll believe it is not
sane for any authority to keep her
students in school when the Federal
Government will not be providing
additional security to protect lives
and properties.
“I pray we have a peaceful election
but anything can happen and so, we
should see beyond now.
2011 is still fresh in memory! What
will the school authorities do if any
violence breaks out after the
election? Disperse students into the
violence? You see the decision to
keep students in school is not
making any sense” a student said.
The nigerian university commission (NUC)
management as at the time of filing
this report is yet to say anything on
the election break as the Senate
plans to meet before Friday.
However, there are fears that the
management might adopt the
Federal Government’s decision not
even when the Students’ Union
leaders are supporting the same idea
at the expense of popular demands
of the students. Courtesy Cnn.com