Protest: Osun State Closes Schools, NYSC Activities 

The Osun State government has announced the closure of all schools in the state as a security precaution ahead of the upcoming nationwide hunger protest.

In a memo issued by the Ministry of Education and signed by Permanent Secretary MK Jimoh on Monday, all schools in Osun State have been directed to halt academic activities and begin their third-term vacation early. This decision is effective from Wednesday, July 31, 2024.

The memo emphasizes that the closure is necessary to ensure the safety of students, teachers, and public infrastructure amid concerns that these may become targets for potential disruptions linked to the protest.

“This is to inform the general public, particularly parents, guardians, and heads of both public and private schools in the state, that due to the planned nationwide protest, all schools are directed to proceed on the third-term vacation from Wednesday, 31st July 2024,” the memo stated.

In a related development, the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has canceled its weekly Community Development Service (CDS) exercise and the monthly biometric verification for corps members in light of the planned protest in August. The NYSC advised corps members to avoid wearing their uniforms and to dress in mufti.

The NYSC also issued a warning to corps members, advising them against participating in the hunger protest. “I wish to reiterate that the scheme promotes unity and will not tolerate any corps member participating in any form of protest that could lead to the breakdown of law and order,” the memo read.

Both measures reflect heightened security concerns as the date for the nationwide protest approaches.