•Image: Ogun Police CP, Lanre Oladimeji
By Ayobami Ife, Abeokuta
National Association of Nigerian Students(NANS) and National Association of Ogun State Students (NAOSS) have raised the alarm over plots by suspected cultists and hoodlums to disrupt May 29 Inauguration ceremony in Ogun State.
The warning is coming just as the Ogun State Government rolled out a 34-man Steering Committee to oversee the May 29 inauguration of Governor Dapo Abiodun and his deputy, Noimot Salako-Oyedele for their second term in office.
In a release jointly signed by Damilola Kehinde Simeon(Chairman NANS Ogun JCC) and Ogunrombi Oluwagbemileke
(NAOSS National President), they alleged that some people impersonating students union leaders have been heavily paid by opposition politicians to hijack NANS and NAOSS in the state and use same as platforms to disrupt the May 29 inauguration.
While calling on genuine students to steer clear of such plots to cause chaos and disrupt the inauguration in the state, the students leaders urged security agencies not to treat the warning lightly even as they absolved the Governor’s aide on Students Affairs, Com. Azeez Adeyemo, of involvement in a recent shooting and disturbance three days ago in Abeokuta by some students.
“It is important we unveil the plot to disrupt the peace in the state under the guise of student body. We have been informed reliably that these people have been paid heavily by some politicians in the opposition party to disrupt the peace of the state and stampede the inauguration process later in this month. Noting that they would need an association under which they can carry out their shenanigans, they have resorted to using the name of NANS and NAOSS to flag their protest to this end. This intended actions are considered demeaning and discrediting for the integrity of NANS and NAOSS.
“As radical organizations that these student bodies are known for, the right to protest are highly respected and supported by the leadership of the association. But this right must be exercised in good conscience. Should they want to embark on their ignoble actions, they should do away with the name of NANS and NAOSS and answer their respective names.
“In addition, we are imploring our members to stay away from plots by these political stooges who are pretending to be activists but attempting to spoil the good image of the association. NANS and NAOSS remain ideologically organissed pressure groups that would not be tools in the hands of politicians in the state.
“Finally, we are calling on all security agencies in the state, particularly the State Security Service (SSS) and Nigerian Police Force (NPF) to take this statement very serious as a security alert to investigate the issues raised above to maintain law and order in the state particularly knowing so well that this action is planned by a few students notorious for political vendetta and cultism affiliations,” the student leaders stated.
Meanwhile, the Ogun State Government has announced the constitution of a 34-man Steering Committee to oversee the May 29 inauguration of the Ogun State governor, Dapo Abiodun and his deputy, Noimot Salako-Oyedele for their second term in office.
The Inauguration Steering Committee, according to a statement by Kunle Somorin, the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, on Tuesday, is headed by the Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Tokunbo Talabi.
Other members of the Steering Committee are:
1. SEN. GBENGA OBADARA
2. MR. DAPO OKUBADEJO
3. RT. HON. EGBETOKUN
4. MR. DEBOLA SOFELA
5. APOSTLE ABIODUN SANYAOLU
6. DR. OLUWATOYIN TAIWO
7. HON. OLA KUKOYI
8. ALHAJA SALMOT BADRU
9. CHIEF (MRS) YETUNDE ONANUGA
10. HON. YEMI ADELANI
11. HON. BABATUNDE OLAOTAN
12. ALHAJI WAHEED ODUSILE
13. HON. REMMY HAZZAN
14. MRS. FUNMI EFUWAPE
15. MRS. TAFAWA BALEWA
16. HON. HAKEEM AMOSUN
17. HON. SHERIFF YUSUF
18. MRS. RONKE OGUNREMI
19. HON. ADIJAT ADELEYE
20. DR. TOMI COKER
21. HON. TOLU BANKOLE
22. HON. LATIFAT AJAYI
23. HON. BIYI ADELEYE
24. MRS. AMINAT ADIGUN
25. MRS. AYOTUNDE LAWAL OKUPE
26. COM. TUNDE OLADUNJOYE
27. CHIEF MICHAEL ANUOLUWAPO AKINLOSE
28. HON. FEMI ILORI-ODUNTAN
29. MRS. OYINDAMOLA OYELESE ADESINA
30. GEN. BAMIDELE SHAFA
31. HON. TOPE KUYEBI
32. HON. ADEWUNMI ONANUGA
33. HON. BABATUNDE EMILOLA-GAZAL
The Steering Committee would be responsible for supervising other sub-committees for the inauguration ceremonies.