Nigerian students Demand end to attacks on press freedom as we celebrate world press freedom Day
NIGERIAN STUDENTS DEMAND END TO ATTACKS ON PRESS FREEDOM AS WE CELEBRATE WORLD PRESS FREEDOM DAY
(Being a press statement of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) Zone D)
Without mincing words and according to the dictates of the United Nations, this day, May 3rd of every year which is a day set aside for pressmen all over the globe is meant to serve as a reminder to governments of the world on the need to uphold press freedom while adhering closely to the provision of Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, 1948.
As an association that deeply understand what democracy is and the essence of freedom for all person, we extend solidarity to those in the media most especially those engaging in guerilla journalism as we mark a day set aside to reflect on the issues of press freedom and participatory democracy.
Unfortunately, despite the fact that Nigeria as a country practise Constitutional democracy, it is sad that there is no fertile land for freedom of expression to be strengthened considering the fact that successive governments in the country have had an history of suppressing the freedom that gives birth to the practise of journalism which is the freedom of expression as provided for in Section 39 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) by gagging dissenting voices.
Specifically, we stand against all form of attacks on the civic spaces on our campuses and by extention the entire county. For instance, Ayoola Babalola at the Gateway Polytechnic, Sapaade, Ogun State is being victimised for exercising his press freedom just as the Federal government in conjunction with States have been persecuting Omoyele Sowore of Sahara Reporters; Agba Jalingo of Cross Rivers Watch; Samuel Ogundipe of Premium Times; Jones Abiri; Steven Kefas; Dadiyata amongst others.
We also frown seriously at the arrest and detention of 70 year-old Lawal and some other persons for "insulting the President." As an association, we maintain that this is a serious embarrassment to democracy and attack on peoples' Constitutional rights. We students demand that all Nigerians have the right to free life. We take all attack on Freedom of Speech and the Press as expressions of fascist tendencies.
It is on this note we maintain that Students will henceforth not tolerate such barbaric attacks anymore! It is in this vein we point that students deserve at least #100,000 Cost of Study Allowance (COSA) just as all adult Nigerians deserve at least #100,000 Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) under this pandemic.
Our hearts goes out to all the frontline workers in healthcare, security, journalism; transport et al as they struggle to rescue us from an impending implosion. We therefore ask that the government pay them at least #150,000 hazard allowances.
Kowe Odunayo Amos Coordinator, NANS Zone D. 08060337337
Giwa Yisa Temitope Secretary-General, NANS Zone D. 08067012057
Kazeem Olalekan Israel PRO, NANS Zone D. 08108567925
Without mincing words and according to the dictates of the United Nations, this day, May 3rd of every year which is a day set aside for pressmen all over the globe is meant to serve as a reminder to governments of the world on the need to uphold press freedom while adhering closely to the provision of Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, 1948.
As an association that deeply understand what democracy is and the essence of freedom for all person, we extend solidarity to those in the media most especially those engaging in guerilla journalism as we mark a day set aside to reflect on the issues of press freedom and participatory democracy.
Unfortunately, despite the fact that Nigeria as a country practise Constitutional democracy, it is sad that there is no fertile land for freedom of expression to be strengthened considering the fact that successive governments in the country have had an history of suppressing the freedom that gives birth to the practise of journalism which is the freedom of expression as provided for in Section 39 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) by gagging dissenting voices.
Specifically, we stand against all form of attacks on the civic spaces on our campuses and by extention the entire county. For instance, Ayoola Babalola at the Gateway Polytechnic, Sapaade, Ogun State is being victimised for exercising his press freedom just as the Federal government in conjunction with States have been persecuting Omoyele Sowore of Sahara Reporters; Agba Jalingo of Cross Rivers Watch; Samuel Ogundipe of Premium Times; Jones Abiri; Steven Kefas; Dadiyata amongst others.
We also frown seriously at the arrest and detention of 70 year-old Lawal and some other persons for "insulting the President." As an association, we maintain that this is a serious embarrassment to democracy and attack on peoples' Constitutional rights. We students demand that all Nigerians have the right to free life. We take all attack on Freedom of Speech and the Press as expressions of fascist tendencies.
It is on this note we maintain that Students will henceforth not tolerate such barbaric attacks anymore! It is in this vein we point that students deserve at least #100,000 Cost of Study Allowance (COSA) just as all adult Nigerians deserve at least #100,000 Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) under this pandemic.
Our hearts goes out to all the frontline workers in healthcare, security, journalism; transport et al as they struggle to rescue us from an impending implosion. We therefore ask that the government pay them at least #150,000 hazard allowances.
Kowe Odunayo Amos Coordinator, NANS Zone D. 08060337337
Giwa Yisa Temitope Secretary-General, NANS Zone D. 08067012057
Kazeem Olalekan Israel PRO, NANS Zone D. 08108567925
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