The Osun State government has directed all private and public schools to commence their third term vacation on July 31 due to the planned nationwide protest.
In a statement on Tuesday, Muritala Jimoh, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education, announced the directive, citing the nationwide demonstrations set to begin on August 1.
“This is to inform the general public, particularly parents, guardians, and heads of both public and private schools in the state, that due to the planned nationwide protests, all schools are directed to proceed on the third term vacation from Wednesday, July 31,” the statement read. “Parents and guardians are advised to ensure the safety of their wards during the vacation.”
Despite repeated appeals from state governors and President Bola Tinubu for youths to cancel the August 1-10 demonstrations, law enforcement agencies have warned that the protests could be hijacked by hoodlums and “unscrupulous agents.”
On Monday, some youths in Niger State took to the streets with placards bearing anti-government slogans. Protesters marched through the Abuja-Kaduna expressway in Suleja LGA of the state, chanting “Fuel subsidy must be back,” “Enough is enough,” “Stop anti-masses policies,” “We are not slaves in our country,” and “Hardship is unbearable.”
Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser to Tinubu on Media and Publicity, emphasized that no government official has the authority to deny Nigerians their right to peaceful protests.
“Let me put it on record that we have heard certain utterances from some members of even our own administration, and indeed from some subnational entities in the country, suggesting that Nigerians do not have the right to protest and that they would be stopped from protesting,” Ngelale said.
I want to be very clear this evening in front of the nation in saying that there is nobody within our administration that has the standing, the command, or the gravitas to tell any Nigerian citizen that they cannot peacefully protest in any part of this country.”
