The National Association of Nigerian Students on Friday expressed sadness over the death of 11 students of the University of Maiduguri in an auto accident on Tuesday.
A total of 11 students of UNIMAID died in the accident on November 20 on their way to Damaturu, Yober State from Maiduguri following the strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities.
The National Public Relations Officer of NANS, Best Okereafor, gave the condolence in a statement issued in Enugu on Friday.
Okereafor stated: “NANS mourns the fallen Nigerian students and in same vain attribute the demise to the ongoing Academic Staff Unions of Universities strike.
“NANS believes that if the strike was not ongoing, the students would have been in school, studying.
“NANS is calling on the Federal Government to save our future and consider the souls of these fallen innocent Nigerian students often told that they are the leaders of tomorrow. Can we lead in grave?
“Inasmuch as we believe in the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration, NANS is on this sad note, calling on Federal Government to make students happy by meeting the demands of the striking ASUU and Colleges of Education lecturers without further delay.”
According to Okereafor, ASUU should not politicise the industrial action but consider the lives of Nigerian students by shifting grounds.
He added: “We appreciate the ASUU agitations as some are students oriented and we are part of the struggle as we are most affected as well.”