August 1 protest: NASS leaders join FEC meeting presided over by Tinubu as Mamman mandates VCs to safeguard varsities; Senate summons emergency session for Wednesday

Leadership of the National Assembly on Monday, joined the meeting of the Federal Executive Council FEC, presided over by President Bola Tinubu. This will be the first time that leadership of the legislature will join the meeting of the Federal Executive Council FEC.

GodsWill Akpabio, the Senate President, led the NASS leadership, comprising Tajudeen Abbas and other top members. The meeting, according to sources close to the Cabinet Office may not be unconnected to efforts to tackle proposed protests.

Meanwhile, the Senate has summoned an emergency session ahead of the nationwide protest billed to start on August 1.

The Senate and House of Representatives had on July 23, 2024, embarked on a recess which will end on September 17, 2024.

According to an internal memorandum from the clerk of the Senate, the emergency session is to hold on Wednesday, July 31, 2024.

“Dear Distinguished Senators, The president of the Senate, Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio, has directed that an emergency plenary sitting of the Senate be convened on Wednesday, July 31, 2024.

“Distinguished Senators are requested to make all necessary arrangements to attend as issues of national importance will be discussed.

“We regret all the inconveniences that this interruption of the recess will cause. Thanks for your usual understanding.”

Tahir Mamman, the minister of education, has asked vice-chancellors to take proactive steps to safeguard the university communities ahead of the planned August 1 nationwide protest against bad governance in Nigeria.

The minister gave the directive in a circular issued by Chris Maiyaki, the acting executive secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), made available to journalists on Monday in Abuja.

Mamman in the circular also counselled students to remain on campus and focus on their academic pursuits to avoid exposure to any potential danger during the planned protest.

“The Federal Government is not unaware of the rights of any Nigerian to peaceful protest but it is concerned about the safety of staff, students and university property should there be any protest action.

“Consequently, the minister has directed that vice-chancellors of all Nigerian universities take pro-active steps to ensure the security and safety of the university community, including staff and students,” the statement reads in part.

The minister further directed that the vice-chancellors should issue specific statements to assure staff and students of their safety.

“It is also advisable that students remain on campus to focus on their academic pursuits to avoid exposure to any potential danger during the planned protests,” the circular reads.