Student Activism in Lagos: A Growing Fracas or a Harmonious Outlook?
In an eerie backdrop of nationwide protests scheduled to start August 1, students from Lagos tertiary institutions have given their stance on the controversy-plagued event.
Contrary to the planned rallies beginning from August 1 to 10 aimed at drawing government attention to civilians’ plight, Mr Alimi Lekan-Idris, National Association of Lagos State Students President NULASS, declared in an unusual press conference held in the heart of Lagos State University College, that students will not join the dissent. On Tuesday, Alimi lamented the importance of peaceful assembly amid pressing issues.
Instead, NULASS urged young adults worldwide to engage in dialogue as opposed to activism. Mr. Lekan-Idris maintained: “It is paramount for those committed to peaceful protests remember there exists a crucial link between national, socio-cultural, and socio-cultural life,” adding: ‘Now more than ever, Nigerian folks worldwide should understand peaceful discourse’.”
Despite mass marches projected to converge at government halls or state capitals across Nigeria for hardship resolution, NULASS dissociates itself from such displays given prior achievements and recent social movement efforts.
As a ripple grows of protests expected around country state capitals, will further chaos ignite or will harmonization echo NULASS sentiment while engaging in meaningful interactions fostering more effective resolutions and reforms. Only time will tell whether it marks a turning point for effective dialog or a continued climate, prompting the Nigerian community ever- more urgent quest by youths for a change.
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