By Fatima Mohammed-Lawal
Ilorin, – Prof. Is’haq Oloyede, Registrar, Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB), has warned the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) and other student bodies to shun violence in the upcoming general elections.
The Registrar gave the warning on Thursday in his lecture at the First National Stakeholders’ Dialogue organised by Zero Tolerance For Social Immoralities Initiative (ZETSI) held in Ilorin.
Oloyede advised the student body to focus on the exercise and not to be distracted with challenges surrounding the electoral process.
He also urged them to collect their voter cards, guard it jealously and exercise their rights.
Oloyede, who spoke on the theme: “Ensuring Free, Fair and Credible Election in 2019: The Role of Stakeholders”, said the only antidote to credible and violent free polls was to remain focused on the election rather than its side attractions.
The registrar was represented on the occasion by a former Director of the Centre for Peace and Strategic Studies, University of Ilorin, Dr Mahfouz Adedimeji.
The JAMB registrar enjoined Nigerian students and the entire populace to demonstrate high level of maturity and decorum before, during and after the elections, so as to record hitch-free elections in Nigeria.
He expressed optimism that the forthcoming general elections will record a resounding success if all stakeholders play the game according to the rule.
He, however, called on Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies, civil society organisations, the media and politicians to ensure that all hands are on deck towards achieving the most acceptable election in the country.
Earlier, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) Kwara State Command, Mr Ajayi Okasanmi, said the police are up to the task to maintain peace and order before, during and after the elections.
The President of Well-being Foundation Africa, an NGO, and wife of Senate President, Mrs Toyin Saraki, who was represented by Mrs Funsho Abdullahi, wife of former Minister for Sport, advised Nigerian youths to shun violence and all forms of illicit acts that are capable of scuttle the elections.
The President of ZETSI Africa, Mr Razak Jeje, said ZETSI African a Non-Governmental Organisation has its mission to sustain new generation ideology in line with 21st century framework.
He explained that the NGO is populated by active young men and women of repute, dedicated and committed to a selfless service toward curbing the menace such as corruption, terrorism, cyber-crime, prostitution and drug abuse among others.