Somtochukwu

Students in Abia state under the aegis of Abia Joint Students Leaders have appealed to the state governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu to reverse the decision to offer them the sum of N30,000 bursary to mitigate the effects of COVID-19.

The students urged the governor to instead covert the sum to their fees and deduct from source, saying this will be more impactful to them.

In a statement made available to ABN TV, signed by the leaders of various student union bodies, they also called on the governor to consider offering students from other institutions such us Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State Polytechnic, Aba, Abia State College of Education (Technical) Arochukwu, Abia State College of Health sciences and management technology, Aba, Abia State teaching hospital, Aba, Abia State school of nursing, federal medical centre, Umuahia, Abia State school of nursing, Amachara and school of midwifery, Amachara, Umuahia, saying there are also Abia students’ in all these institutions and not just ASUU students alone.

“That instead of the Bursary Allocation of thirty thousand naira (N30,000,00) to each Abia students, we kindly appeal for the school fees to be reduced and hence deducted directly as it will also give more credence and hope to Abia students in various Institutions in Abia State,” they said.

The students also expressed concern over the prolonged ASUU strike that has deprived them opportunity to go back to school, mourning their colleague, Anthony Ikechukwu who was killed during the #EndSARS protest in Lagos.

“We are saddened and concerned over ASUU Strike which has kept most of us at home and thereby depriving us of our Fundamental right of studying as Nigerian students and we also urge the Federal Government to swiftly respond positively as the future of our students is at stake which is totally unacceptable, as your leaders, we shall continue to engage the relevant authorities critically and otherwise to ensure that the needful is done.

“With a heart filled with pain and regrets, we commiserate with the family of Late Anthony Ikechukwu, one of us, a student of Micheal Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike who was a victim of the Lekki toll gate massacre as a result of the #ENDSARS Protest and pray for his soul to find rest in the bossom of the lord.

“However, the state of Campuses in all the tertiary institutions in Abia State has been a major concern to us as it is our topmost priority to ensure that your comfort and emancipation are accurately achieved.

“We, therefore appreciate the Executive Governor of Abia State, Okezie Victor Ikpeazu PhD for his quick response in scrapping of the Pandemic prevention fee of fifteen thousand naira only ( N15,000,00) Imposed on Abia State University, Uturu Students as well as his pronouncement for bursary allocation of thirty thousand naira only (N30,000,00) for each ABSU Students,” they added.

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