The Muffin Man
The National Association of Nigerian Students has on July 13th released a statement condemning the victimisation of the trio of Aduwo Ayodele, Mide Gbadegeshin and Linus Nice at the hands of the University of Ibadan management.
"The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) vehemently condemns the reported move by the University of Ibadan (UI) to expel three of its students — Olamide Gbadegeshin, Aduwo Ayodele, and Nice Linus — over their participation in a peaceful protest against an outrageous fee hike," the statement read in part.
"This development is not only alarming but fundamentally undermines the principles of democracy, free expression, and students’ right to peaceful assembly. It is deeply disturbing that in May, the aforementioned students were arrested—reportedly by military personnel—while peacefully demonstrating against a fee increment of up to 480%. Now, they are being labeled guilty of “gross misconduct” simply for carrying placards with protest messages.
"Rather than acting as a citadel of learning and moral guidance, the University of Ibadan risks transforming itself into a repressive institution that punishes dissent and criminalizes civic engagement. The planned expulsion is not only unjust but reckless. Forcefully ejecting young people from the university system denies them the opportunity to grow, reform, and contribute to society. Worse still, it may push some into frustration, depression, or even criminal tendencies — a burden that will come back to haunt the same society the university claims to serve."
The association then demanded among others the immediate cancellation of capital disciplinary action of expulsion plan against the three students involved in the protest as well as a public apology from the security agencies involved in the illegal arrest and harassment of the students.
