NANS begs for mercy as VC 'forgives' students, hints 'sanctions'

The Vice Chancellor, of the University of Jos (UNIJOS), Professor Hayward Mafuyai, has said the institution plans to sanction its students for the November protests as it resumes on Monday 23rd February, 2015.

Speaking on Tuesday after a 6-hour meeting with the National leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Mafuyai said students will face 'sanctions' for the violent November 24 protests that eventually led to the closure of the institution.

He said NANS's intervention has convinced the schools management to shift allow academic activities to resume.

“With the intervention of NANS and other well-meaning stakeholders, we have decided to bend over backward which is not a sign of weakness but strength," Mafuyai said.

The Vice Chancellor however added that the institution will not let the students' actions go unpunished, though they have been 'forgiven'.

"He said sanctions will be imposed while the students Union Government (SUG) leadership will face the institution's disciplinary committee.

The students have been forgiven but sanctions must be apportioned.

“Leading protest and destroying public property are offenses and the SUG leadership must face disciplinary committee who will look into the issues and determine the next line of action.”

NANS National President, Tijani Usman, however asked the management to temper justice with mercy.

He said the students must have learnt from their mistake

It will be recalled that the students had protested alleged school fee increment but on extortive, "unjustifiable and totally unacceptable" levies and charges.

Security personnel were engaged to quell the violent protest that followed, leaving some of the students critically injured.

Following the protest and closure of the school, the SUG President, Abel Nnok, accused the Mafuyai-led management of corruption with regards to certain levies imposed on the students.

But Mafuyai in turn accused the student leadership of the violence by misinforming their members.