The Yaba College of Technology, Lagos, has directed its full-time and part-time students to proceed on a 22-day holiday to enable them to exercise their civic rights during next month’s general elections.
This was contained in a bulletin by Head, Public Relations Unit of the college, Mr Charles Oni.
According to the bulletin, the holiday will start from February 11 and end on March 4.
It also stated that hostels and lecture theatres would be under lock and key throughout the period.
The bulletin quoted the Rector of the college, Dr Margaret Ladipo, as appealing to the students to comport themselves during the holiday.
Mixed reactions, however, trailed the announcement, as some students said the holiday would disrupt the second semester academic calendar.
Others commended the management for being safety conscious and allowing students, who are not residents in Lagos to travel for the elections.
Miss Ronke Adeyemi, a National Diploma, Science and Laboratory Technology part-time student, told theNews Agency of Nigeria, that it was a good decision.
“It is a good decision and I am happy with it. It is very risky for us to stay on campus during the elections because anything can happen.
“I will use the period to read and prepare for my test because as soon as we resume in March, we are starting our test,’’ she said.
Another student, who pleaded anonymity, said the holidays was too long and would deny the students the opportunity to receive enough lectures and prepare for examinations.
The National Diploma Textile Technology student said the holiday should be reduced to 10 days in the interest of the students.
