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Tag: Bestman Okereafor

  • NANS lauds PRO, Police Command over international award

    The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has lauded DSP Abimbola Oyeyemi, Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Ogun for the recent international award and recognition as “Best Police PRO in Nigeria.’’

    The award was presented recently at the 15th Conference of Security Watch Africa held on Nov. 15 in Banjul, Gambia.

    NANS National Public Relations Officer, Mr Bestman Okereafor, made the commendation in a statement on Monday in Enugu.

    According to Okereafor, NANS joins lovers of security in congratulating a hardworking and dedicated Police Public Relations Officer, Ogun, DSP Abimbola Oyeyemi.

    Read Also: FRSC, NADDC chiefs, others for auto awards

    “This award is a victory to us all who are looking forward for a reformed and effective Nigeria Police.

    “We say big congratulations to Nigeria Police, Ogun Command under the leadership of Mr Ahmed Iliyasu and the command’s Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC).

    According to NANS, the great achievement had been made possible through collective efforts.

    “NANS is imploring Nigerians,specifically residents of Ogun to remain peaceful as well as steadfast in dissemination of information to the police and other security agencies.’’

    NAN

  • NANS lauds Buhari’s commitment to human rights

    The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has applauded President Muhammadu Buhari’s commitment to human rights and investigation of human rights abuses in the country.

    NANS National Public Relations Officer (PRO), Bestman Okereafor, gave the commendation in a statement on Tuesday in Enugu.

    Our reporter recalls that the commendation was a fall out of Buhari’s strong comment against human rights abuses and explanation on how far his administration had embarked on investigation of human rights abuses during his interaction with President Donald Trump of U.S.

    NANS implored  the presidency and security agencies to ensure freedom from oppression, equity and social justice for all Nigerians regardless of religion and tribe.

    “NANS appreciates President Muhammadu Buhari’s commitment to the principles of human rights as well as the promotion and protection of people’s freedom, even in the process of fighting terror, as stated recently during a meeting with US President Donald Trump in the White House.

    “President Buhari’s commitment to ensuring that all documented cases of human rights abuses are investigated and those responsible for violations held accountable for their actions is laudable,’’ he said.

    The PRO, however, call on security agents to intensify efforts aimed at tackling insurgency and armed herdsmen, who had been terrorising and wreaking havoc in some parts of the country.

    NAN

  • Workers’ Day: NANS urges FG, states to implement new minimum wage

    The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has called on the Federal and State Governments to urgently implement the new minimum wage as the present N18,000 was “grossly insufficient for any worker.’’

    NANS Public Relations Officer (PRO), Bestman Okereafor, made the call in a statement made available to the News Men on Tuesday in Enugu.

    Okereafor said that the leadership of NANS was joining millions of Nigerian workers in solidarity as they celebrate this year’s workers’ day.

    According to him, NANS appreciates the positive impacts of Nigerian workers and their contributions to the nation building.

    “In lieu of this we are joining our voice with the leadership of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) to demand for the implementation of a new minimum wage for Nigerian workers considering the economic situation in the country.

    “It is clear and obvious that N18,000 is insufficient to meet the present economic demands of a Nigerian worker.

    “It is noted that workers, who create wealth for a nation, must be adequately taken care of as this will equally go a long way in curtailing corruption in our beloved country.

    “NANS is finally calling on Nigerian workers to remain steadfast and committed to the service to humanity and father land,’’ he said.

    NAN

  • Invasion: Be role models NANS urges senators, others

    The National Association of Nigerian Students ( NANS ) has urged senators and other prominent Nigerians in sensitive public positions to be role models to the youths.

    NANS spokesman, Bestman Okereafor, said this in a statement in Enugu on Thursday.

    Okereafor reacted to Wednesday’s invasion of the Senate chamber and snatching of its Mace by suspected hoodlums.

    He noted that the Senate invasion was a mockery of Nigeria’s democracy and a bad precedent for Nigerian youths.

    “The leadership of NANS received with dismay the news and video currently in circulation about the invasion of the Nigeria upper chamber and subsequent snatching of the Senate’s mace and symbol of authority.

    “We see this as a pure mockery of the nation’s democracy and no doubt a disheartening precedent for Nigerian youths at a time when the youths are gathering momentum to take up leadership positions at different levels in the country.

    “We are calling on the present senators to serve as role models to Nigerian youths by consistently conducting themselves in a manner expected of good leaders.

    “Senators should not conduct themselves in a manner capable of destabilising the democracy been enjoyed in the country,’’ he added.

    “NANS is, however, calling on appropriate authorities to as a matter of urgency look into the circumstances surrounding the invasion and unbiased persecution of anyone linked to the invasion,’’ he said.

    He said that despite the high number of security operatives attached to the national assembly such embarrassing action was successfully achieved without challenge and possible apprehension of any of the suspected hoodlums.

    NAN

  • NANS cautions students against spreading false information

    NANS cautions students against spreading false information

    The National Association of Nigerian Students ( NANS ), on Thursday cautioned students against using the social media to spread falsehood and information capable of causing disaffection.

    NANS National Public Relations Officer, Bestman Okereafor, stated this in Enugu.

    Okereafor said students should desist from spreading false information through the social media on incidences that do not exist, as the practice was capable of endangering the relative peace being enjoyed in the country.

    “The attention of the apex students’ governing body under the auspices of NANS has been drawn to a purported voice note and old pictures of an attack that happened in Ogun in circulation.

    “It should be noted that the Nigeria Police Force, Ogun State Command, under the watch of Commissioner of Police, Mr Ahmed Iliyasu, remains pro-active and second to none in the country.

    “People, especially students spreading false rumours about the security status of the state should desist from such act.

    “Gov. Ibikunle Amosun has over the years made security a priority in the government’s agenda, which indeed has fetched him several awards and laurels,’’ he said.

    The NANS spokesman said that the association had confidence on the Ogun State Police Command.

    “So, the purported voice note and pictures about herdsmen attack along the Lagos/Ibadan Expressway, currently in circulation is not true and totally false and should be disregarded by the public.

    “Furthermore, students should endeavour not to be used as political instruments by some desperate dare devil politicians,’’ he said.

    NAN

  • NANS appeals to FG dialogue with NASU over demands

    NANS appeals to FG dialogue with NASU over demands

    The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has appealed to the Federal Government to dialogue with the striking Non Academic Staff Union of Universities (NASU) in the interest of Nigerian students.

    The NANS Public Relations Officer, Mr Bestman Okereafor, made the appeal in a statement and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Enugu.

    “We are appealing that the Federal Government should look into the matter that caused the strike and resolve it, as Nigerian students bear the brunt of the hardship caused by the strike,’’ Okereafor said.

    He said that the association was displeased at the delay by the government to resolve the lingering NASU’s industrial action.

    “This is negatively affecting millions of university students currently writing their exams across the federation.

    “Our students have been in total darkness, non availability of water, scarcity of transportation, non availability of examination pass, no access to the library and documentations and records among several other things, which all fall under the purview of NASU,’’ he said.

    Read Also: NANS urges FG to pay entitlements of deceased heroes to families.

    According to him, it is unfortunate that even the Senate and House of Representatives have decided to keep mute over the issue for so long, probably because their children are in the Diaspora.

    “It is disappointing that the government has decided to take the welfare of Nigerian students with levity despite our love and loyalty to our dear country.

    “This undue suffering is unacceptable to Nigerian students, as this has drastically affected their academic performance,’’ he said.

    Okereafor, however, urged President Muhammadu Buhari to grant NANS leadership  an audience to enable the association to table the myriad problems facing Nigerian students before him “as a father’’.

    NAN recalls that NASU’s strike, which commenced on Dec. 10, 2017, had lingered for over a month now.

    NAN

  • NANS urges FG to pay entitlements of deceased heroes to families.

    NANS urges FG to pay entitlements of deceased heroes to families.

    The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) on Monday appealed to the Federal Government to promptly pay pensions and entitlements to families of deceased military, para-military and police personnel, who had served meritoriously.

    The National Public Relations Officer of NANS, Mr Bestman Okereafor, made the appeal in a statement in Enugu on the occasion of the Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration.

    “It is, however, disheartening that the government has not really been doing the needful in the aspect of prompt payment of pensions and entitlements to the families of the deceased.

    “This has brought untold hardship on the families and children of the departed heroes.

    Read Also: NANS sets up monitoring team on petrol prices, sales

    “NANS is passionately calling on the Federal Government to ensure the prompt disbursement of entitlements without delay.’’

    He said that the leadership of NANS joined the government and good people of Nigeria in remembering the fallen heroes on the occasion of the 2018 Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration.

    “No doubt the fallen heroes and heroines have given their very best and their lives for the defence and liberation of our beloved country.’’

    Okereafor said that NANS also appreciated the military and other security agents for their proactive moves in tackling crimes and insurgents in the country.

    “May God guide and protect them all as they sacrifice on behalf of us all,’’ he said.

    Meanwhile, NANS has reacted to the sack of some teachers in Kaduna State.

    The association urged Gov. Nasir el-Rufai of Kaduna State to reverse the dismissal of 22,000 teachers in the state.

    NAN

  • NANS describes killings as ‘cruel’, condoles with victims, government

    NANS describes killings as ‘cruel’, condoles with victims, government

    The National Association of Nigerian Students ( NANS ), has described the alleged herdsmen killings in Benue communities as “heartless and cruel.”

    The association’s National Public Relations Officer, Mr Bestman Okereafor, in a statement made available in Enugu on Monday, condemned the action in its totality.

    “We totally condemn the attack and its accompanying hardship on the victims and affected communities in Benue.

    Read also: IYC condemns killing, violence in NANS election

    “NANS condemns in all totality the New Year alleged herdsmen attack on residents of Benue, leaving at least 33 people dead and several others injured, thereby causing residents to flee the state to seek refuge in Nasarawa State.

    “We consider the lots of heartless and cruel activities of the alleged herdsmen as a threat to our democratic process.

    “NANS condoles with families, relatives of affected victims and Benue Government over the recent killings in some communities in the state.

    “We pray that God will grant them the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss,’’ Okereafor said.

    He, however, urged security agents to promptly bring the perpetrators to book.

    NAN

  • NANS hails Gani Adam as new Aare Ona Kakanfo

    NANS hails Gani Adam as new Aare Ona Kakanfo

    The National Association of Nigerian Students ( NANS ), on Thursday applauded Otunba Gani Adams over his appointment as the Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yoruba nation by the Alaafin of Oyo.

    The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, confirmed the choice of Adams for the title on Sunday during his 79th birthday celebration.

    Aare Ona Kakanfo in the pre-colonial Yoruba history was a supreme military title conferred by the Alaafin of Oyo.

    The NANS’ National Public Relations Officer (PRO), Mr Bestman Okereafor, gave the commendation in a statement issued in Enugu.

    Okereafor, however, called on the new Aare Ona Kakanfo to see this sacred position as a clarion call to service in the defence of the fundamental rights of the Yorubas.

    He said the title was also a call to uphold the rich cultural heritage and inheritance of the Yoruba nation, without any fear of favouritsm or nepotism which might be caused by political interference.

    “The leadership of NANS, under the leadership of Comrade Aruna Kadiri, heartily congratulates and felicitates with Otunba Gani Adams on his emergence as the new Are Ona Kakanfo of Yoruba nation.

    “NANS wishes to specially commend Iku Baba Yeye, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III, the Alaafin of Oyo for the critical decision.

    ‘’We believe that the decision, no doubt, has been taken purposely for the total emancipation and revival of the Yoruba culture and in defence of the Yoruba nation’s rights.

    “This is indeed a progressive, one coming after 19 years of the demise of the former Are Ona Kakanfo, the  late Chief M.K.O. Abiola,’’ he said.

    He said the late Chief Ladoke Akintola and the late Chief M.K.O. Abiola were the last two personalities to occupy the powerful Yoruba traditional position, in recent time in history.

    Adams, 47, has 52 chieftaincy titles to his credit so far in the country.

    The Aare Ona Kakanfo title was held last by the late Abiola, the acclaimed winner of the June 12, 1993 Presidential Election, who died in 1998.

    NAN

  • NANS threatens to call for JAMB scrapping over cut-off mark

    NANS threatens to call for JAMB scrapping over cut-off mark

    The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has threatened to call for the scrapping of Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) if it fails to reverse the low cut off mark for admission into universities and polytechnics in the country.

    NANS National Public Relations Officer, Bestman Okereafor, stated this in statement in Enugu on Saturday.

    He said if the demand of the association, the most important stakeholder in the education sector was not met in reasonable time, it would call for the scrapping of JAMB.

    He said: “Conclusively NANS will not hesitate to call for the scrapping of JAMB if the decision is not withdrawn without further delay.

    “The national leadership of the apex students governing body, National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), frowned at the drastic reduction of the JAMB unified cut off mark to 120, for admission into Nigeria universities.

    “NANS sees this as a means of further degrading the level of the already falling and failing academic performance and excellence in Nigeria institutions.

    “In lieu of this, NANS under the able leadership of the proactive NANS president, Comrade Aruna Kadiri, is calling on JAMB to reverse this inimical act without further delay or face the anger of Nigerian students.”

    NAN