In what looks like a follow up to the amnesty granted to ex-militants of the Niger Delta region and the proposed presidential amnesty to members of Boko Haram, the Coalition of Niger Delta Students (CONDS) has demanded a minimum of N150, 000 to be paid to students of Niger Delta origin in tertiary institutions across the country.
In a Communiqué’ issued at the end of the quarterly Joint Executive Council Meeting of the group held on Monday, April 22 at the Delta State University, Abraka; the group demanded the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs to set up a Student Special Assistance Scheme (SSAS) that will annually pay Niger Delta students in tertiary institutions across Nigeria and who have obtained a minimum grade point of 2.5, a minimum of N150, 000.
They argued that if ex-militants in the region can be receiving about N65, 000 on a monthly basis, “the Niger Delta students see no reason why students who have struggled to achieve 2.5 grade point in tertiary institutions despite the hard economic situation amidst the rich natural endowment of the region, should not be given a minimum of N150, 000 every academic session.”
They said the SSAS will go a long way in alleviating the suffering of the students of Niger Delta in their academic pursuits and discourage the notion that only arms carrying indigenes of the region could be recognized and share from the common wealth of the Niger Delta region.
The Communiqué’, which was signed by Comrade Israel Uwejeyan and Comrade Peter Echeta, both National President and National Secretary respectively, stressed that the leadership of the students of the Niger Delta region in tertiary institutions across Nigeria are “willing, prepared and capable to pursue this resolve peacefully and legally to a favourable conclusion as we are tired of sitting and watching only the violent being rewarded by the common wealth of the region”.
They vehemently condemned the increased rate of kidnapping and other violent crimes within and outside the Niger Delta region believing that the trend is a product of the cumulative effect of corrupt practices that have eaten deep into the fabrics of the Nigerian society and government circles.
“We urge the government to concentrate on delivering democratic dividends to the masses other than their selfish political struggles. We also urge the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Dahiru Abubakar to boost the security of lives and property in the Niger Delta and the nation at large.
“We strongly urge the Federal Government to channel the fund for AMNESTY to the development of the nation’s education sector as education remains the almighty formula for the development and growth of any society.”
Source: Spynews