Feb 09, 2020
NOUN NYSC/LAW SCHOOL SAGA

PRESS RELEASE

FEB 08 2020

*STOP PLAYING WITH OUR FUTURE. IMPLEMENT NOUN ACT NOW!!!*

_Freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor, it must be demanded by the oppressed._ *Martin Luther King, Jr.*

This is a call to the masses. A call for justice. A call for our voice to be heard. A call against oppression. A call against maladministration. A call against all voices of traitors.

More than one and half year gone we held our peace. We decided to keep mute not because we do not know our rights but because we are peace-loving citizens.

This is a call to demand our rights. A call to stand for justice and fairness.

A wise man once said, when good people refuse to talk, bad decisions will be the order of the day.

This is a call to consolidate our future, our generation and our people.

Statistically, we are the ones paying highest amount of money as Federal University compared to other Federal Universities in the country, any thing about National Open University is always delayed unlike our cohorts from other universities.

It is no more a news that the bill that allows National Open University Graduates to participate in NYSC Scheme/Law School has been signed by President Muhammadu Buhari since December 04 2018. However, nothing has been done so far as regards implementation.

The National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) is a Federal Open and Distance Learning institution accredited by NUC. The first of its kind in the West African sub-region. It is Nigeria's largest tertiary institution in terms of student population.

We pay heavily to afford National Open University terms and conditions as directed by NUC but we are denied of certain things enjoyed by graduates of other tertiary institutions.

I have seen a Nigerian graduate from National Open University of Benni serving in Nigeria, even with international treatment.

I have also seen a graduate of NOUN that was denied of an employment due to lack of NYSC discharge certificate, it is not fair at all.

*Our Demand;*

We plead to the Federal Government to implement our mandate for NYSC and Law School bill which was signed into law on Dec 4 2018 to allow graduates of National Open University of Nigeria to go for NYSC and Law School respectively.

NOUN 2020 GRADUATES must be mobilized together with the 2020 Batch A.

Failure to comply with this, we shall all match as the largest university in Nigeria in all the 36 States and make it known to the world that we have been treated as second class citizens by our Government and all the activities of the government will be disrupted through social media and peaceful protest.

We are not for war but for peace.

*An injustice to one is an injustice to all.*

Note:

1. We are aware that mobilization of NYSC batch A will commence by the end of this February and our graduates must be mobilized alongside others too.

2. Dignitaries or personnels may plead for us to be patient and wait for Directive of the management. *We know this tactics too well, we will never fall for this.*