Students in Imo State have taken to the streets of Owerri protesting against high cost of living, high fees, poor education, poor infrastructure, poor facilities, extortion and intimidation in their various tertiary institutions.
The students appealed to the federal and state governments to stop incessant hike in their school/tuition fees, undue extortion through handouts, textbooks, strengthen serene/conducive learning environment, install medical equipment/ facilities such as electricity, boreholes, among others, for improved quality education and moral values.
The protesters comprised of students from Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO); Imo State University, Owerri (IMSU); Alvan Ikoku Federal University of Education, Owerri; Federal Polytechnic Nekede and Imo State University of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences (UAES), Umuagwo, Ohaji.
The students who also lamented the high cost of living/accommodation fees and hardship in Imo State, occasioned by what they termed government’s bad economic policy, poor infrastructure, and unemployment, urged government to make and effectively implement good education and people-oriented policies to cushion the suffering, hunger and poverty in the land.
Vice president of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Ahaneku Valentine Nzubechi, who was called upon by the protesting students to help them take their message to the authorities, reassured them that the federal and state governments would give heed to their plights and requests to enhance quality education.
