The Forum of Zonal Coordinators of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has announced that the leadership of the Association will commence constructive engagement with the Federal Government and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) to achieve a reduction in fuel pump prices.

The Forum warned students across the country against participating in any purported planned protests over the recent increase in fuel prices, stating that NANS has not called for any protest that could be hijacked by hoodlums.

Comrade Bilal Kurfi, the chairman of the Forum, addressing a news conference on Saturday in Abuja, sympathized with the student population over the challenges posed by well-intentioned economic policies introduced by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.

He, however, called for a shift from protests to constructive dialogue regarding the recent fuel price hike.

The NANS coordinators emphasized that engaging in discussions with relevant stakeholders will be more effective in addressing the issue and finding sustainable solutions, rather than resorting to demonstrations that could be hijacked by those with selfish interests.

The Forum reiterated that NANS has not called for any protests or demonstrations. It urged the general public to disregard any calls for protests made by non-students with ulterior motives.

He said, “Rather than the student population marching to the streets in protests that could be hijacked to further heighten the already escalating tensions in the system, we believe that dialogue, rather than confrontation, should be adopted to resolve the current crisis.

“We are intellectuals, not street urchins or political thugs who can be hired by anyone or a group of moneybags to destabilize the country.

“NANS is committed to peaceful and constructive engagement, and we will not be part of any activity that may compromise the safety and well-being of our members and the general public.

“The students shall engage in dialogue with the FG and NNPCL to seek a reduction in petrol prices to mitigate the effects of inflation on our colleagues.

“The idea of protests being called by some non-students masquerading as our colleagues could destabilize the country, and this is not an option for us.

“We prefer dialogue over actions that could be deemed partisan and counterproductive to the development and unity of our nation,” he added.

The Forum urged the entire student population to await its civil and democratic actions regarding the price hike and assured them that President Tinubu, as a sympathetic leader, will listen to their concerns.

The Forum also denounced Mr. Henry Adewumi Okunomo, who called for a nationwide protest and the shutdown of the economic system.

Chairman Kurfi said, “In alignment with the disclaimer earlier issued by Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology against one Henry Adewumi Okunomo, who was not a student of the prestigious institution, we further denounce his position calling for a nationwide protest and the shutting down of our economic system.

“This flagrantly contravenes the position of the student body that dialogue should be adopted.

“The entire student body shares the economic restructuring and reengineering policies being implemented by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to put Nigeria on a sound footing and redirect us to the speedy path of economic renaissance.

“Our recourse to dialogue is in the national interest and is informed by the wanton destruction of national assets during the recent #EndBadGovernance nationwide protests, which were heavily hijacked by political thugs and moneybags with partisan interests.

“We are solidly behind the current leadership at the national level and ready to serve as a valuable partner to advance Nigeria to the next level.

“Therefore, we urge the entire student population to await our civil and democratic actions on this price hike and be assured that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as a sympathetic leader, will listen to our concerns,” he stated. (Nigerian Tribune)

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