From Ben Adaji, Jalingo
National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, has issued a 14-day ultimatum to the Federal Government to fix the abandoned Jalingo-Numan road or face mass protest.
National President of NANS, Mr Lucky Emonefe issued the warning at the third inauguration ceremony of the North-East Zonal Executive Council of the union in Jalingo, Taraba State on Saturday.
Emonefe warned that the union would not hesitate to relocate it’s national secretariat from Abuja to the North East if the Federal Government fails to take action on the road after the expiration of the ultimatum.
He described the road as one of the worst roads in the country, stating that the deplorable situation of the road was a threat to the life of Nigerian Students.
“The national association of Nigerian students have declared a state of emergency on the Jalingo Numan road which contract was awarded several years ago but was abandoned by the contractors
“The road is one of the worst roads in Nigeria and is a death trap to Nigerian students, especially in the North East.
“We are calling on the authorities concerned, especially the Federal Ministry of Works to order the contractor to return to site and commence work on the road.
“We are therefore, issuing a 14 days warning to the Federal government to take action on the road or NANS will relocate it secretariat to the North East”, he warned.
The President commended Governor Agbu Kefas of Taraba for his student- friendly policies in the state.
He described the Governor as the best education-friendly governor in Nigeria, citing the implementation of free education policy as well as a 50% slash in school fees for tertiary institutions in the state as commendable effort.
The NANS President advised other governors to emulate the template adopted by the Taraba State governor on education.
Emonefe also thanked President Bola Tinubu for the introduction of students loan.
He said students had benefited from the ‘Renewed Hope Agenda’ of the administration, and called on all the students to support the Tinubu administration to succeed.
Earlier, the newly-sworn in coordinator of the NANS in the North-East, Mr Umar Afkawa said his vision was to improve the welfare services of students in the zone.
Afkawa also promised that he would ensure academic excellence, security and safety of the students, empowerment and entrepreneurship among others.
