The National Association of Nigerian Students has congratulated its new diaspora leaders who were elected last weekend.
NANS Vice President, External Affairs, Akinteye Babatunde in a statement urged the leaders led by Abdulrazak Abdulrahman Abubakar, a student at a higher institution in South Africa to “protect the rights and welfarism of the Nigerian Students in diaspora as in accordance with the NANS constitution.”
The statement read, “On behalf of all the Nigerian students home and in diaspora around the globe, the Office of the NANS Vice-President External – Affairs congratulates the newly elected NANS DIASPORA President, Comr. Abdulrasak A. Abubakar from South Africa and his executives as they take on the mantle to protect the rights and welfarism of the Nigerian Students in diaspora as in accordance with the NANS CONSTITUTION.
“On behalf of the NANS NATIONAL EXECUTIVES, I, Comr. Akinteye Babatunde Afeez, NANS V.P External – Affairs stretches out our hands open for unison, support and solidarity in the struggles of discharging your constitutional duties. As it has always been, your tears are our tears, your joy is our joy and forever it shall be.
“I urge you to be of good conduct, morals and legitimate rights while discharging your constitutional duties. I also admonish you to be brave, open minded, strategic and communicative to the pains and aches of the Nigerian Students in diaspora.
“I state it categorically that this is the one and only legitimate structure of NANS DIASPORA as elected on the 2nd of January, 2023 and all stakeholders, governmental agencies, media and the public are advised to deal only with Comr. Abdulrasak A. Abubakar led government for issues concerning the Nigerian Students in diaspora.
“Be rest assured our well wishes are with you all, the newly elected NANS DIASPORA EXECUTIVES.”
The Interim General Secretary of NANS-D and Public Relations Officer; Comrade Muhammad Abubakar and Comrade Elizabeth Oluwafunmilayo Adebitan had recently released a list of the new leaders.
The election was held from Saturday, December 31, 2022, to January 1, 2023, and was monitored by the Vice President, External Affairs of NANS, Comrade Akinteye Babatunde.
The statement read, “The National Association of Nigerian Students in Diaspora (NANS-D) led by Comr. Opeoluwaseun Ojekemi wishes to inform the public on the outcome of its election convention held online via google form from Saturday the 1st of January 2023 at 8 pm to Sunday the 2nd of January 2023 at exactly 11:59 am Nigerian time respectively.
“The elections took place immediately after the manifesto/debate presentation held on Saturday, the 1st of January 2023 at 12pm Nigerian time which was actively participated and monitored by able Vice President External Affairs of the National Association of Nigerian Students Nigeria (NANS-Nigeria) Comr. Akinteye Babatunde.
“18 electorates who are current presidents of NANS-D chapters (countries affiliated to NANS-D) were approved and a total of 13 electorates cast their votes which saw the emergence of the following Executive Arm members and Senate Arm within the association.
“While we congratulate the victorious candidates in the just concluded elections and wish them all the best in their journey of moving NANS-D to a greater height, the association wishes by this press release to caution the public on one John Prince Ogar who is currently parading himself as the president-elect of NANS-D. The said person purchased the form to contest as a president of NANS- D but was not cleared by the election committee on the basis that he is not a student.
“Mr. Prince provided the committee with a fake school ID card of Foura Bay College in Sierra Leone which after due investigation it was found to be fake as confirmed by the Deputy Vice Chancellor of the university Prof.Kelleh Mansaray After his disqualification Mr. Prince due to his desperation went ahead to create a faction and declared himself as the President. The public is hereby advised to debunk any claims coming from this individual and his camp.
“We are pleased to invite the general public to our handing over ceremony under the chairmanship of the able president of NANS-Nigeria Comrade Umar Barambu slated to take place on Saturday the 21st of January 2023 at 12pm Nigerian time.”