OAU Students Call on FG to Address Economic Hardship and Insecurity
In response to the nation's food crisis and escalating commodity prices, President Tinubu ordered the release of 102,000 metric tons of various grains from the Strategic Reserve and the Rice Millers Association of Nigeria on February 8, 2024.
AKACHI NOEL 
The Students Representative Council (SRC) of Obafemi Awolowo University Students’ Union has issued a statement condemning the prevailing economic hardship and insecurity in Nigeria. In a press release distributed on the campus in Ile-Ife, the SRC urged the Federal Government to take immediate action to address these pressing issues.
The SRC highlighted the adverse effects of the economic challenges facing Nigerians, particularly since the removal of fuel subsidy by President Bola Tinubu on May 29, 2023, which led to a significant increase in petrol pump prices. Furthermore, the continuous depreciation of the naira against the dollar has resulted in a surge in the cost of goods and services across the country, exacerbating the hardship faced by citizens.
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In response to the nation's food crisis and escalating commodity prices, President Tinubu ordered the release of 102,000 metric tons of various grains from the Strategic Reserve and the Rice Millers Association of Nigeria on February 8, 2024.
However, the OAU students, represented by Speaker Ganiyu Yusuf, Deputy Speaker Akande Peter, and Clerk Praise Adesoji of the Great IFE SRC, criticized the government's handling of the economic situation, attributing it to negligence and incompetence.
Regarding insecurity, the student leaders expressed deep concern over the rising cases of kidnapping and banditry, which have instilled fear and apprehension among citizens nationwide. They condemned the government's failure to prioritize the safety and security of its people, describing it as unacceptable.Furthermore, the student leaders decried the neglect of the education sector, citing insufficient budget allocations and underfunding of tertiary institutions as evidence of the government's disregard for education.
The statement comes amid escalating incidents of insecurity across the country, including recent attacks in Plateau, Abuja, Lagos, Ogun, and Kaduna states, where bandits reportedly killed nine people and abducted scores of others.
The OAU SRC called on the Federal Government to address the economic challenges, enhance security measures, and prioritize funding for the education sector to alleviate the suffering of Nigerians and ensure a safer and more prosperous future for all citizens.
