March 6 protest: “UNILAG intimidating us like police did 2face Idibia” – students
University of Lagos (UNILAG) authorities have learned a thing or two from the Nigeria Police Force, students planning to protest on March 6 say.
Students demand the school reverse the rustication of 11 undergraduates who criticized the management over the poor state of welfare on campus. They also want their banned union, ULSU, which led students call for basic amenities like water and electricity, reinstated.
But UNILAG management has warned students against participating in the protest.
A student reacted by saying UNILAG was acting like police did when they intimidated pop star 2face Idibia from protesting against the Nigerian government on February 6.
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“Information reaching Student Affairs, University of Lagos, has it that the planned protest on Monday, March 6, 2017, to be led by SAVE UNILAG COALITION & REINSTATE UNILAG 11 NOW, could degenerate to violence,” UNILAG said in a statement posted to its website on Friday.
“UNILAG students are therefore advised to avoid participating in the protest or moving around protest scenes for safety and security reasons.
“Students are to avoid activities that will forestall the attainment of their academic objectives or extend the allotted number of years for their degree programmes.
“For safety and security reasons, students are urged to avoid potential flashpoints in Lagos.
“Stay focused! Graduate as scheduled in flying colours!! Avoid all trouble-makers!!!”
A student who doesn’t want to be named for fear of victimisation told Newsroom on Saturday it’s hard to stay focused when basic amenities are not guaranteed.
READ: “How we lived like animals inside UNILAG hostels,” Germany-based graduates says
Save UNILAG Coalition (SUC) has also condemned UNILAG’s response to the planned protest alleging that the management could be planning to plant troublemakers among peaceful protesters.
“We in the coalition wishes to condemn the statement from the management of the University of Lagos,” SUC secretary said in a statement.
“We must at this point assert that our protest has legitimate demands of reinstatement and better welfare conditions amongst others and we intend to make it as peaceful as possible.
“However, the management’s anticipation of violence has inevitably confirmed our findings that the Rahman-led administration intends to foment violence.
“To be in fact more specific, we are aware that the Management of Prof. Rahman intends to use the combined forces of hired hoodlums, OP MESA and the influence of their boy, Fatai Owoseni, the Commissioner of Police, Lagos state.
“Forthwith, we seize this medium to implore the observing public, the members of our broad coalition, the ever-supportive UNILAG students, the sincere media/pressmen and mass of Nigerian students to be weary and critical of the Management’s devilish antique to make the March 6 peaceful protest an orgy of bloodbath and unfathomable violence.”
