‘Banning Students Under 18 Years From WAEC, NECO Exams Is A Misplaced Priorities’

A Human rights group, Coalition of Concerned Nigeria Citizens, has described the federal government’s ban on students under 18 from sitting for senior school certificate examinations conducted by WAEC/NECO as a misplaced priority.

The organisation, at a press conference addressed by Comrade Ajala Adetunji in Osogbo, stated that the move can only be described as a ‘gross misjudgment’, adding that the ban would deny youths the basic right to education and a future.

The group insisted that the federal government has failed to address the issues that ignited the #EndBadGovernance protest, adding that the situation has persisted and grown increasingly instead of the relief they sought.

“Just a few weeks ago, we, the Coalition of Concerned Nigeria Citizens, took to the streets in a peaceful protest, raising our voices against the tide of bad governance and anti-people policies that have gripped our country. Our demands are precise: for a better and more responsive government that prioritises the welfare of its citizens.

“In Osun State, we made the difficult decision to suspend the protest, believing that the government at both the state and federal levels deserved the benefit of the doubt. We hoped that by stepping back, we could create space for meaningful dialogue and a chance to work together to find the best solutions to ease the burdens on our people. However, it is with great disappointment that as we stand before you today, more needs to be done.

“Our patience is not infinite. We have been reasonable and patient, but we will not be ignored. If the government continues to turn a deaf ear to the cries of the people, they should brace themselves for the mother of all protests on October 1st as the citizens will not continue to fold their hands”.