Nigerian Students reject  CBN policy of surcharge on banking transactions 

Nigerian students under the auspices of the National Association of Nigerian Students, (NANS) yesterday, rejected the Central Bank new policy of charging banks’ customers 7% on withdrawals, saying it is targeted at further impoverishing the poor.

The students’ body said the policy is perceived to be geared toward impoverishing both average and poor Nigerians.

“Also, if this policy is allowed to scaled through, it will increase robbery cases as the people will find keeping money at homes as an alternative,” he said.

They however lauded the Federal government of Nigeria in its efforts to make country self-dependent and self-reliance nation, and advised that similar step should be taken in the areas of healthcare, recommending that top government functionaries including the President be barred from engaging in foreign medical tourism.

NANS also expressed support for Vice – President Yemi Osinbajo and said it is their hope that the reported travails of Osinbajo are false according to the Presidency.

“We, however, applaud the Federal government of Nigeria in its efforts to make Nigeria self dependent and self reliance nation. We appeal that a step should be taken further by ensuring that all our top government functionaries including the President are barred by law from undertaking foreign medical tourism and should be treated here in Nigeria no matter the nature of their ailment so as to improve the standard of our medical facilities in the country.

“Although recently, the Vice President has been faced by some unseen power blocks who tried to test the stance of God in the life of the anointed, although, they met God firmly behind him, But for a face saving for the government, this planned evil acts has been described as false and we want to believe same.

“May we  use this opportunity to express our loyalty to the Vice President as he is clearly a major standing factor for which many are still respecting this government.

“For his giant strides especially at the times when the President is out of the country, we pass our vote of confidence on his Excellency, Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo and we remain firm with him against any odd.

“We have received reports from our comrades in many states of the federation hence, the need to give kudus to some Governors.

“In Ogun state, we must appreciate the giant strides of the Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun in procuring 100 patrol vans and 200 motorcycles for the security of the state with a view of achieving a crime-free state under his watch.

“We also want to appreciate the Governor for his quick intervention in some of our campuses domicile in the state such as MAPOLY, DS Adegbebno ICT polytechnic and TASCE among others which were undergoing some challenges as at the time of his emergence.

“But we must call your attention to two groups of persons who are currently emerging in Ogun state. First, is a group of unfriendly friends who are posing to be your friend for the sake  to achieve a selfish interest but we pray that as Nigeria grows today, the God who separate the wheat from the chaff  and shall separate them from your government.

“Secondly is another group of oppressors who want to seize the opportunity of your newness to oppress the people and students, amass more unclean wealth and as well paint you black in the eye of the general public.

“We must also appreciate the OYO state Governor, Seyi Makinde, Kwara state Governor, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq for appointing youths as members of their cabinet.

“We would not drop our pen without thanking the speaker of the House of Representatives, RT.Hon Femi Gbajabiamila for appointing a former NANS President as a legislative aide and we pray that he shall live up to expectations.

“To the entire members of the National Assembly, we say thank you, for your matured and friendly working relationship which has further strengthen our democracy and quicken developmental works in the country.”

The student body said the alleged relocation of some Operatives of the EFCC to campuses of tertiary institutions in Nigeria in search of cybercriminals, has led to unwarranted harassment, intimidation and embarrassment of innocent students and advised the agency to put a halt to such ill-treatment.

The  National Public Relations of the students body, Azeez Adeyemi, said it would be more productive if the same energy used by the Anti – graft agency in hounding ‘Yahoo Yahoo boys,’ could also be channeled towards identifying and arresting of politicians who have allegedly looted the country’s wealth on a mind-boggling scale.

He said: “Our attention has been called to the relocation of the officers of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to our campus in search of cybercriminals, this we did not stand against but it will be more productive if that same attention can be channeled to our politicians who have looted this country in a larger scale.

“Under the disguise of fighting ‘yahoo boys’ many of our students have been harassed, humiliated and embarrassed for no just reason, this act will no more be  accepted going forward from now,” he said.