By Mumini AbdulKareem
Students of the Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin, yesterday staged a peaceful protest to express their appreciation to the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, for his timely intervention that led to the reduction of their tuition fee.
The students equally thanked Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed and Speaker, Kwara State House of Assembly, Dr Ali Ahmad for their swift intervention that led to the prompt reduction of about N19,000 from their tuition and an end to the tuition crisis.
The elated students carried placards with inscription such as, “We are proud of Bukola Saraki”, “The poor also deserves affordable education”, “Thank you ABS”, “We are grateful to ABS, ” among others.
Speaking with journalists during the event in Ilorin, the Vice President, National Association of Polytechnic Students (NAPS), Comrade Olugbode Damola, however advised all students to make full payment of their school fees before the end of the month.
The students’ leader also urged the students to maintain peaceful co-existence in order to sustain uninterrupted academic activities in the school.
According to him, the intervention of Saraki in achieving a reduced tuition fee attested to his love and concern for the masses in Kwara State and Nigeria at large.
“We also appreciate the entire members of the eighth Kwara State House of Assembly led by Dr. Ali Ahmad for their fair hearing and sincere disposition on the matter.
“We extend our sincere gratitude to members of the executive/legislative joint committee set-up to look into the issue for coming up with merciful resolution that reduced the tuition fees far beyond our expectations.
“A big thank you to Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed and members of his cabinet whose input further contributed to quick resolution of the crisis.”
Also speaking, a Computer Science student, Comrade Ola Michael Muyiwa, assured that henceforth students of the polytechnic will continue to explore machinery of dialogue to ensure peace in the school.
