The National Association of Nigerian Students and the Diocese of Offa, Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), have called on the Federal Government to adequately fund tertiary institutions to provide qualitative and accessible education for citizens.

NANS' President, Mr. Yinka Ayefele, said this during the conferment of an award on the Kwara State Coordinator, National Youth Service Corps, Mrs. Ezinne Ezekwe, for outstanding leadership, in Ilorin on Monday.

Ayefele, who was represented by NANS' Senate President, Joshua Donald, also appealed to the government to make tertiary education free and adequately motivate lecturers to ensure a smooth academic calendar.

"We want education in the country to be free totally. Social amenities and good infrastructure should be provided in the institutions.

"Lecturers should be well remunerated and timely too. If lecturers go on strike, it will affect education. They should ensure that our lecturers are happy."

In his response, Ezekwe urged the students to avoid violence as future leaders. She advised them not to confront government but to use dialogue and peaceful approach to make their demands known.

Also, the Anglican Diocese of Offa, in a communiqué after its fifth synod, signed by the Diocesan Bishop, Rt. Revd Akintunde Popoola, said functional tertiary education would make Nigeria compete favourably in global technological advancement.

Popoola called on the federal, state and local governments to halt the decay of basic infrastructure in the country.

The bishop said it was the will of God for Nigeria to be peaceful, healthy and prosperous, with all tribes being one another's keeper.

He condemned insecurity in some parts of the country, adding that both students and their parents or relatives had been negatively affected by violence.

Popoola opined that though the diocese appreciated the stability Nigeria had recorded in its democratic process, the country's future survival as a nation was shaky.

The clergyman added that urgent action needed to be taken by those in authority to salvage the country.

He said the increasing inter communal clashes in many parts of the country, particularly that of Offa/Erin-Ile, was a clear reflection of 'devil's' influenced, which had also affected education negatively.

Meanwhile, a professor of Physics, Department of Physics, University of Ilorin, Isaac Adimula, has urged the Federal Government to ensure that the Nigerian Communications Satellite, National Space Research and Development Agency and National Mathematical Centre were headed by competent scientists with proven records of efficiency.

Delivering the 129th inaugural lecture of UNILORIN, he also stated that the matters of space and radio should be above political considerations.