By Joe Chukindi
Students of tertiary institution under the aegis of National Union of Anambra State Students(NUASS) have said that members of the association are suffering neglect from the Anambra State government.
The Association in a communiqué it sent out to journalists after an enlarged stakeholders meeting held in Awka yesterday said that the state government has not given the association and its members enough recognition by way of payment of bursary, scholarships and appointment into government offices.
The communiqué was signed by the immediate past president of the association, Comrade Israel Anozie, the president of the association, Comrade Toochukwu Atuanya and four zonal presidents from Enugu, Imo, South West, South South and Northern zones said they will carry out a protest rally as a way to seek recognition from state government.
The group said neighbours to the state including Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Imo states all pay bursary to their colleagues in tertiary institutions, including award of scholarships to deserving students, but the reverse has been the case.
“In Anambra State, we lack a lot of things, we are not paid bursary, we do not get scholarships from state government, we do not have a functional secretariat and we are also in need of a bus, but all these things are nowhere in sight.
“Would it be wrong to also appoint one of our members to his government to be our eye? These are some of the things we are asking from the government,” The communiqué stated.
It saidMeanwhile, 63 chapters, including its affiliate in an Italian university will be in the state in a march to the government house to see the governor over their rights during the rally.
The communiqué also stated that the students will also visit the Anambra State House of Assembly where the Speaker of the Assembly, Mrs Rita Maduagwu and also at the Secretariat where the commissioner for Education, Prof Kate Omenugha will also address the students.
The communiqué stated that the rally will expectedly hold on 25th February, and Students of over 63 universities who are all of Anambra origin are expected to be at the rally.
The Association stated that it will also hold its election to replace the current president, Comrade Toochukwu Atuanya who has served out his one year term.
