NULASS Debunk news of protest, ultimatum given to Lagos State Gov’t over unpaid bursaries

The National Union of Lagos State Students (NULASS) has debunk a news fly around that indigenous students of the state will embark on a protest if the government fail to pay their bursaries on or before Sunday, 16th of October.

In a press statement made available to Community Gist, The National President of the Union, Comrade Shasanya Akinola describe those behind the fake news as miscreants/mischievous trying to destabilize the unity of the student body.

The statement reads:

“It has come to the knowledge of the union that certain miscreants/mischievous persons have sought to destabilise the unity of the students and citizens of the state by spreading malicious and false information that the indigenous students of the state are planning a mass protest over the yet-to-be-paid bursaries for the 2020/2021 and 2021/2022 academic sessions.

“It should be noted that the State government through its Scholarship Board have made bursary payments to a large extent for the 2020/2021 session and plan to ensure that the backdated payments as well as those of the 2021/2022 session are paid. The State has always reaffirmed its commitment and support under the administration of His Excellency, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, to the indigenous students by ensuring the seamless disbursement of its bursary and scholarship scheme and as such, it is conspicuous that those behind the false news of agitation are persons/factions with ulterior motives to disturb the peace of the state and its student community.

“The National Union under the leadership of Comr Shasanya Akinola wishes to reaffirm it’s unwavering dedication to the indigenous students of the state as efforts are ongoing to ensure that the disbursement of the outstanding payments are made as evidenced by the last communication on September 7, 2022, between the Lagos State Scholarship Board executives led by Mr Rahman Lekki, and the National Union with all stakeholders in attendance.

“As a union, we remain in constant contact with necessary bodies that are responsible for the disbursement as we continue to explore the first C of the Aluta – Consultation. We are resolute in our commitment to ensure that the welfare of the indigenous students are met as we note that the Bursary and Scholarship is their birthright and is one of the ways that they can have a smooth academic journey.

“The union wishes to use this avenue to inform its members and the community that the date for the 2022 scholarship examination for fresh beneficiaries has been scheduled for the 29th of October, 2022 while Bursary screening will commence early in November.

“The National President and his Executives hereby urge the Lagos state student community and the general populace of the state that only through dialogue, commitment and strategic collaboration can we continue to uphold the excellence of our great State.”