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Tag: NANS

  • NANS sets up monitoring team on petrol prices, sales

    NANS sets up monitoring team on petrol prices, sales

    The National Association of Nigerian Students ( NANS ), has set up a monitoring team on petrol pricing, distribution and sales, its President, Mr Chinonso Obasi has said.

    Obasi, in a statement made available on Monday in Abuja, said Nigerians were facing hardship imposed on them by profiteers.

    He regretted that Nigerians during the Yuletide experienced challenges by paying over 300 per cent hike in transport fares moving for both Christmas and New Year celebrations.

    According to him, the hardship has not abated as Nigerians still buy petrol at N250 per litre in some places.

    He called on Nigerians to resist the rip-off and also reject any hike in petrol price.

    “It is an undeniable fact that petrol is being sold at prices inimical to the economic well-being of consumers; across the nation, the prices rather than decreasing is increasing. This is totally unacceptable.

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

    “No doubt, in spite of the availability of the petrol, many unmerited yet unexplainable reasons have been given as excuses for this unabated exploitation.

    “As the official pump price remains at N145, we urge Nigerians not to pay more; the NNPC and the independent marketers should urgently resolve this hardship and assure Nigerians that their days of worries over petroleum prices are a priority.

    “To this end, we hereby announce the setting up of NANS Task Force Committee on Compliance on Petroleum Distribution, Pricing and Sales.’’

    He said Nigerians could no longer continue to bear the brunt of the activities of saboteurs.

    He said the committee would begin work immediately and was saddled with the responsibility of working with government agencies willing to ensure compliance.

    “NANS wishes to solidarise with Nigerians by condemning this man made hardship imposed on Nigerians and unreservedly call on the Department of Petroleum Products and Public Procurement Regulatory Authority to swiftly halt the exploitation of Nigerians,’’ he said.

    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

  • VC vows to stamp out cultism in Anambra varsity

    VC vows to stamp out cultism in Anambra varsity

    Prof. Fidelis Okafor, Vice Chancellor, Chukwuemeka Odimegwu Ojukwu University ( COOU ), Anambra, on Wednesday restated his commitment to stamp out cultism and other social vices from the institution.

    Okafor made the pledge when a delegation from the National Association of Nigerian Students ( NANS ), Zone ‘B’, paid him a visit at the Igbariam campus of the university.

    He said the institution would continue to provide opportunities for cult members to renounce their membership as well as provide counseling to them.

    Okafor, however, warned that those who refused to renounce their membership of various cult groups would face the wrath of the law.

    Read also: Three Oduduwa Varsity students remanded in prison for ‘cultism’

    He urged parents and guardians to monitor their wards, and also advised students against indulging in acts that would “spell doom” for them, especially during the Yuletide.

    The vice chancellor also promised to ensure that the institution sustained its achievements in research and learning as well as provide support to NANS.

    The Coordinator, NANS Zone ‘B’, Mr Kenneth Okeke, said the delegation was in the institution to solicit support in the area of curbing cultism, prostitution, examination malpractice and other vices from campuses.

    Okeke, who was elected at the November convention of the body in Yenegoa, said his administration which would last for one year, also targeted improved condition for students in the zone.

    He commended the vice chancellor for the infrastructure development of the institution.

    NAN

  • NANS’ undignified demonstration

    SIR: This piece is triggered off by the picture in The Nation of November 9 (page 43) where it was shown that ‘members of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) with civil society were in a pro- rally for Inspector General of Police Ibrahim Idris at the National Assembly in Abuja’. This action of the students under the aegis of NANS gave me a lot of concern.  To me, it is a pointer to the abject level to which our students have degenerated in recent times. I am not concerned about the veracity of the allegations of abuse of office levelled against the Inspector General by Senator Misau a former Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP). My concern is why the leaders of NANS considered it their business to demonstrate in favour of somebody who has taken his case to competent court of law for adjudication. To me and to many people, the reported demonstration was undignified.

    The National Union of Nigerian Students (NUNS) which the present NANS replaced when it was banned by a draconian military regime in the seventies after the ‘ALLI MUST GO DEMONSTRATION’  left a noble legacy which is now being blighted by the present leadership of NANS. NANS unfortunately is being turned to a mercenary outfit that can be called to demonstrate for any cause no matter how debased.  I am sure legendary past student leaders like the legendary Dapo Falase, Obe,   Adegboro and others who have gone to meet their Lord would be uneasy in their graves in protest against what NANS has become in recent times. Those past students who are still alive like Abidoye Babalola, Ebenezer Babatope, Falana and others would no doubt be thoroughly scandalized by what NANS has become.

    I recall here with nostalgia the heroic roles the student body played in the abrogation of the ill- fated Anglo- Nigerian Defence pact signed by our political leaders and the British government just before independence in 1960. This pact was to allow the British to have a military base in Nigeria after independence. The student body under the leadership of Abidoye Babalola and Dapo Falase in 1960 trooped to Lagos from their base at the University of Ibadan to protest to members of parliament who were sitting then. The demonstration awoke the whole nation to the danger of having a British military base in our country. The pact was subsequently abrogated as a result of the demonstration by the patriotic students and the whole nation was grateful to them. This was the glorious hour of student unionism in our country. Other laudable intervention of students under the aegis of NUNS included the demonstration of students against the Unilateral Declaration of Independence by the racist Ian Smith in the then Southern Rhodesia in the seventies. This stand of the students played a part in the radical posture taken by Murtala /Obasanjo regime in the political impasse in Southern Rhodesia. We cannot also not forget the laudable role played by students’ body in the task to unite Nigeria during the debilitating civil war in the late sixties. Even when NUNS was banned, NANS under a more purposeful leadership helped in exposing the heinous action of Italian firm that dumped toxic wastes in Koko near Warri.

    All the about enumerated patriotic actions and others carried out by Nigerian students in the sixties and seventies are far cry from the present actions of the leadership of NANS which has turned a once veritable student body  to a cheering crowd. Nigeria presently is beleaguered with numerous problems such as non-payment of salaries to workers in virtually all the states in the country, chronic youth unemployment, corruption in high and low places, perfunctory budgetary allocation to educational sector, decayed infrastructure, and unmerited humongous salary and allowances paid to our so called lawmakers at federal and state levels. Our students under the aegis of NANS should demonstrate and sensitize other Nigerians about these unacceptable social ills instead of demonstrating in an undignified manner in a matter still to be adjudicated upon in the court of law. I am yet to hear anything from the leadership of NANS on the current debate on the restructuring of the country. The students whose future would be affected one way or the other by our future political configuration should have a say in this all important debate.

    The present leadership of NANS should not blight the noble legacy left by their predecessors in student activism through participation in any undignified demonstration.

     

    • Professor Olabode Lucas,

    New  Bodija, Ibadan.

  • NANS hails LG elections in Enugu

    The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has commended the Enugu State Independent Electoral Commission (ENSIEC) for organising peaceful local government elections in Enugu State, in spite of some failed plots to undermine the exercise.

    Speaking after monitoring the elections in the state, the National President of NANS, Comrade Chinonso Obasi, told journalists that they were pleased with the conduct of the elections, applauding Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi for providing an enabling environment, which he said gave the electorate the opportunity to exercise their franchise.

    “We are so glad for the peaceful conduct of this local government election in Enugu State and we thank the governor for this feat, at least the people are voting and the process is ongoing and we will continue our independent monitoring to enable us give a comprehensive report”, the NANS President said.

     

  • The National Association of Nigeria‎n Students (NANS), has written to President Muhammadu Buhari, calling for an open public investigation into looted pension fund.

    In a letter to the President dated November 2, 2017 and signed by its President, Comrade Aruna Kadiri‎, said‎ though, the decision of the President to disengage Maina from service was as a result of misleading report presented to him by those who supposed to feed him with detailed development across the country.

    The NANS President said, “The decision was hasty and generally not of the interest of Nigerians. As a body of intellectualism, we observed that there is a ganged up against Mr Abdulrasheed Abdullahi Maina who was the chairman of the defunct Pension Reform Taskforce Team, PRTT under the Goodluck Jonathan’s administration.

    “The PRTT has Economic and Financial Crime Commission, EFCC, the Independent Corrupt Practices and other offenses Related Commission, ICPC, the Department of State Security , DSS, the National Intelligence Agency, NIA, the Nigeria Police Force, the Accountant General of the Federation, the Auditor General of the Federation, the Federal Ministry of Finance among others.

    “We, as Nigerians can not be clouded by the diversionary method of the cabal to shift our minds from the N1.6 trillion to N2.1 billion. We also gathered that, immediately Mr Maina’s PRTT was disbanded, the then government created Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD). PTAD discontinued the on going biometric supervised by the PRTT and got approval of N8bn for the same biometric which up till now, is yet to be carried out.

    “The Director of Finance of Maina’s led PRTT is now the Director of pension in PTAD while Mr Ibrahim Lamorde of the EFCC heads the Police Special Fraud unit in Lagos. We believed that it is not possible for the chairman to steal such huge amount without the finance director and other team members if they actually stole public fund. Nigerians want to know the whereabouts of the N1.6 trillion recovered and the N5.32bn blocked by Mr Maina and his team in the head of service and police.”

    Comrade Kadiri also said, “Since the EFCC and ICPC were members of the Maina’s committee, and as well implicated in the looted treasury, an independent investigative panel be set up to properly investigate the allegations and counter allegations. An investigative panel with live coverage which will boost the anti corruption war of your administration will be highly appreciated by Nigerians.

    “For the sake of justice, equity and fairness, we also advice and recommend that your Excellency immediately reabsorb Mr Maina pending the outcome of the public investigation and if found wanting be properly prosecuted.”

  • Students protest rocks Ogun over rot in education sector

    Students protest rocks Ogun over rot in education sector

    • We’re committed to quality education, says Amosun

    Thousands of students under the aegis of National Association of Nigerian Students(NANS) spilled into roads in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, in protest over what they considered as “rot in the state’s education sector.”

    The protesting students who took off with their protest from the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation mega station, Abiola Way in the morning, poured into the IBB Boulevard where they later branch off to the Governor’s Office, Oke – Mosan, demanding to see him.

    And bearing placards with the inscription “Rescue Ogun State Education Campaign,” “Save Ogun State education, ” ” Education must survive” and “MAPOLY must survive” among others, urged Governor Ibikunle Amosun to quickly halt the unsavoury trend.

    The chairman of Ogun NANS, Comrade Olawale Balogun, told Amosun that the students were not happy with the state of education in the state.

    Olawale cited delay in the take off of the examination of the Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, (MAPOLY) Abeokuta, as an issue if not urgently addressed could affect the career of the students.

    Olawale also said the association was not comfortable with the cancellation of the payment of the West Africa Examination Council(WAEC) fee for secondary school students, adding that they equally frowned at the recent hike in the Acceptance Fees being paid by new entrants into the Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye.

    The students also demanded a categorical statement from the Governor regarding the status of MAPOLY, in the light of its metamorphosizing into Moshood Abiola University of Science and Technology as well as the creation of the Ogun State Polytechnic, Ipokia.

    But responding, Amosun said MAPOLY has gone into extinction with its upgrade to a university status, explaining that the institution would still be in existence for the next four years.

    Amosun who blamed the institution’s lecturers for the delay in students examinations, said his administration remained committed to improving the standard of education in the state.

    “I am not happy because this my school. What is happening today is because those that have been given the privilege to serve us are not serving well.

    “Everybody here (current MAPOLY students) will finish their courses, it will take four years before MAPOLY will go into extinction. You are not going to Ipokia . If the lecturers don’t want that, we will sort them out.

    “We will sought for new lecturers for the university and the new poly. MAPOLY lecturers are not comfortable with it, I said the appointment they have is for MAPOLY, for the new university, they will have to reapply. If they are qualified, they can take them.

    “I will ask the Commissioner to meet with the academic union of the the institution. We are only admitting ND 1. We are not admitting any student into MAPOLY. We are not sacking anybody, we are not taking them automatically. Why should we carry another place problem to new one.

    “We are only admitting ND 1. If you have carryover, you are going to Ipokia. I told them (management) don’t admit new students into MAPOLY,” Amosun said.

  • NANS loses ex-president, declare a month mourning

    NANS loses ex-president, declare a month mourning

    The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has announced the death of its former National President, Mr Dauda Mohammed, 38, due to a protracted illness.

    NANS’ President, Mr Chinonso Obasi, who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja, said Mohammed died on Sunday enroute India where he had gone for medical treatment.

    Obasi said that the mail sent to him by Artemis Group of Hospitals, Delhi, indicated that Mohammed passed on five minutes before landing at Delhi Airport.

    He said that the mail indicated that the hospital would conduct an autopsy on Oct.3 after which his remains would be released for transportation back to Nigeria.

    NAN gathered that Mohammed departed Abuja for India on Sept. 30 to receive treatment for liver cirrhosis.

    According to health experts, cirrhosis is a chronic progressive disease of the liver characterised by the replacement of healthy cells with scar tissue.

    “We declare on month mourning and national action against cancer as we pray God to console his family.

    “We also declare a national action against cancer and appeal to government at all levels to be more proactive on issues pertaining to the health of citizens.

    “Medical facilities in Nigeria should be standardised to enable our medical personnel handle complex forms of sicknesses,’’ Obasi said.

    The NANS president said that Mohammed’s family had been informed of his demise.

    Born in 1979, Mohammed, who was NANS’ President from 2011 to 2012, attended the University of Jos (UNIJOS).

  • NANS want government to provide standard medical facilities

    NANS want government to provide standard medical facilities

    Mr Chinonso Obasi, National President, National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), has called on the Federal and State Governments to provide standard facilities to address medical needs of citizens.

    Obasi made the call at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on Friday when the former President of NANS, Mr Dauda Muhammed was flown to India for medical treatment.

    Obasi told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the former president had been diagnosed of liver cirrhosis which could not be treated in Nigerian hospitals.

    He decried the poor and lack of standard medical facilities in public health facilities that could handle serious ailments like liver diseases, noting that even Nigerian leaders travel overseas for medical treatment.

    According to him, Niger Government has released 38,000 dollars (about N13.6 million) for the treatment on the request of NANS leadership because Muhammed is from the state.

    “So we are using this opportunity as a case study to plead to the government to ensure that dividends of democracy should be at the reach of ordinary citizens because it is their right.

    “I feel so disappointed in the present state of our medical facilities in the country that we even need to close down Indian Embassy before we were given visa.

    “Do we need to put in a lot of struggles for something that I feel that is the essence of having the government? Government is about the people; government is about making life easier for the citizens.

    “It is not about creating policies, your policies must be policies that are people oriented that must suit the tradition, the culture and way of life for people to live in peace and harmony.

    “At this moment, I am calling on our governments at all levels to prioritise things that could promote people’s wellbeing and lives,’’ he said.

    The NANS president said that concerned students mounted pressure on the Niger government to take the responsibility of Muhammed’s treatment because of government failure to provide access to medical facilities in the country.
    He, however, commended the government for accepting the responsibility, explaining that the patient had a lot to offer Nigeria as a former president of NANS.

    “I want to thank everybody who has come here to wish our president Dauda Muhammed, a.k.a Aluta Capon, former NANS President 2011/2012 farewell.

    “We wish him quick recovery and we do hope that we will pay him a visit to check the extent of treatment he is receiving over there,” he said.

    Obasi said that the student body would continue to demand right policies and better medical facilities for the ordinary citizens of Nigeria.

  • NANS, parents hail ASUU, Fed Govt over strike suspension

    NANS, parents hail ASUU, Fed Govt over strike suspension

    THE National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) and parents have hailed the Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) for reaching an agreement to suspend the strike which kept many university students at home for 36 days.

    NANS President Chinonso Obasi, in a statement yesterday in Abuja, said suspending the strike had shown dialogue was the best way to settle industrial disputes.

    It urged the Federal Government to be responsibility and endeavour to comply with the Memorandum of Action reached with the union to avert further strike.

    The union on Monday suspended its five-week old strike following a meeting with the Federal Government’s delegation.

    ASUU President Prof. Biodun Ogunyemi had said that the union decided to conditionally suspend the strike in view of the timeline of October 2017 for the implementation of the signed agreement.

    But, Obasi said suspending the strike was a welcome development that would bring relieve to the students and their parents.

    He called on the Federal Government to demonstrate a sense of responsibility and endeavour to comply with the agreements reached to avert another level of face-off with ASUU in the near future.

    “The falling standard of education and its effect on the nation’s future human capital is regrettable.

    “The Federal Government should prioritise investment in the education sector for the benefit of the nation,” he said.

    He added that students were always at the receiving end of strikes, hence the need for ASUU to always consult students’ leadership as critical stakeholders before declaring or proceeding on strike in the future.

    Also, university students have expressed happiness over ASUU’s decision to call off its strike.

    Some of the students told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kano yesterday that they were happy to hear that the union had called off the five-week old strike.

    Al’Amin Lawal, a 200 level student of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, said he was short of words to express his happiness over the new development.

    Musa Bala, a 300 level student of Bayero University Kano, described ASUU decision as a welcome development, as  students would now resume normal academic activities.

    Similarly, most of the parents, who spoke to NAN on the issue, expressed gratitude to God for making it possible for the government and lecturers to reach an agreement on the strike.

    They, however, advised the lecturers to always go for dialogue in resolving dispute rather than resorting to total strike.

    ASUU President Prof Biodun Ogunyemi, on Monday in Minna directed university lecturers to resume work yesterday.