Date: 2012-01-28

Following announcement of palliatives to cushion the negative effects of the removal of fuel subsidy, the Kwara State Government has received commendations from the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, and National Association of Kwara State Students, NAKSS, for "government's progressiveness and people oriented policies".
 
Representatives of NANS and NAKSS during a solidarity visit to Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara State to express their appreciation on the palliative measures said the government has proved beyond reasonable doubt, it has the interest of students and indeed their parents at heart by the far reaching and soothing palliatives.

The State Government had upon the approval of Governor Ahmed announced a 30 per cent reduction in school fees at the Kwara State University (KWASU), Malete, abolition of fees from primary to Junior Secondary School level as well as distribution of free textbooks to Senior Secondary School Students throughout the State.

The students’ body, who came in their thousands chanting solidarity songs, praised the governor for being the only governor that not only received labour and students associations during the fuel subsidy crises but also mingled with the protesters. "With these palliatives without waiting for agitation and confrontation, and reducing the financial burden on our parents, the students said, "you are indeed the millennium governor."

Speaking through their leaders, Comrades Sakiru Akorede of NANS and Basambo Abubakar of NAKSS expressed appreciation on behalf of their colleagues to Governor Ahmed for the steps so far taken to promote the interest and welfare of students in the State.

Presenting an Award of Excellence on behalf of NANS in appreciation of the kind gesture of Governor Ahmed, NANS Senate President, Comrade Oluwole Kolade, who praised him for the giant strides recorded since his assumption of office, also passed a vote of confidence on his administration.
 
Responding, Governor Ahmed urged the students to avoid being used as agents of destruction by a few political merchandise in the society and advised them to be part of efforts to reform the society and make life more conducive for the citizenry.

He told the visiting students that since the inception of his administration, the state government had designed policies which are capable of catering for the youths who constitute about 70% of the total population of the State.

Describing the students as future Nigerian leaders, Alhaji Ahmed assured them that his administration would ensure that the path to make them realize this objective was not eroded; pointing out that government will put measures in place to make youths in the State acquire qualitative education.

28/1/2012