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Tag: NANS

  • Ex-President faults NANS’ solidarity visit to Jonathan

    The Yinka Gbdebo-led National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) came under fire for paying a solidarity visit to President Goodluck Jonathan and commending him.

    Former President of the association, Comrade Daniel Onjeh, described the visit as ‘politically motivated’, adding that NANS leadership did not say how Jonathan would rescue the Chibok girls and address the security challenges facing the country, among other issues.

    Onjeh vowed that Nigerian students would henceforth, resist any attempt by NANS leadership to ridicule the association.

    “They (NANS) should have used the opportunity to challenge the First Lady and the President, to use their immense influence and innermost powers to address the Chibok Girls issue and the rot in the education sector which require a declaration of a state of emergency.

    “Only 31 per cent of those who sat for the West Africa Senior School Certificate Examination five subjects and above including English and Mathematics. Universities, polytechnics and colleges of education only resumed recently after a prolonged strikes,”.

    The conferment of the  Grand Commander on Jonathan”, Onjeh said: “is null and void as it lacked the requisite legal backing of the appropriate organ of NANS charged with the responsibility.”

    The statement continued: “Many Nigerians could not believe the recent spectacle of the Yinka Gbadebo-led National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) passing a vote of confidence on Dame Patience Jonathan, wife of the President and President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan.

    “Yinka Gbadebo and his fellow sycophants, including some former presidents of the once prestigious Students’ Union, told the First Lady that they have endorsed her husband for a second term. Their sycophancy became more visible when they met the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, a former university lecturer under whose watch universities, polytechnics and colleges of education were on strike for more than half of their academic calendar.

    “Mr. Gbadebo and his co travelers gave President Jonathan the hitherto non-existent and meaningless award of Grand Commander of Nigerian Students. That conduct and action negate the principle and charter of demands of NANS.

    “It is completely at variance with what NANS stands for or stood for since one is now confused about NANS. If such honour exists at all, it’s the prerogative of NANS Congress, not even NANS Senate to ratify before being conferred on the beneficiary. There is nothing wrong in the leadership of NANS paying a courtesy visit to the First Lady, or her husband, the President, since by virtue of their positions they are symbols of the state and deserve due respect.

    “What is wrong, however, is using such an opportunity for personal aggrandisement instead of pursuing the common interest of the greater majority of their constituents – the students. The Yinka Gbadebo-led executive has completely derailed from the focus and priority of NANS and this has exposed the level of rot in modern student unionism.

    “The Chibok school girls, who are their immediate constituency, have been living in nightmare since their abduction over 145 days ago; yet not a word was uttered about them by Mr. Gbadebo and his coterie of shameless sycophants. This is wicked, heartless, unconscionable and in bad taste. Mr. Gbadebo and those former NANS leaders, who went on this misplaced and opportunistic courtesy visit, are a disgrace to fond memories of our past student heroes who laid down their lives for a better Nigeria. They are not and can never be the true reflection of the minds of Nigerian students.

    But in a swift response, Gbadebo said Onjeh was only trying to raise unnecessary dust  because he was not part of the delegation to President Jonathan

    Speaking with The Nation, Gbadebo said NANS’ decision to visit President Jonathan was favoured by other past presidents, who also went with him for the award presentation.

    He said: “Before God and man let me say the reason he (Onjeh) was doing this was because he was not invited to be part of the delegation.

    “The First NANS president Comrade Sunday Oladele, with other nine past presidents including myself making 11, went on that trip. Also on the trip were NANS executives and the four zonal coordinators. Can you then tell me that the 11 of us including other members were wrong in our decision?, he asked on phone.

    “In November last Year, Onjeh was stripped of his membership ofNANS because of his nefarious activities. NANS found out that he had been defrauding people in the name of the association.  So, NANS took that decision at the 68th Senate meeting held at the University of Port Harcourt in November last year. A communiqué issued after the meeting stated NANS resolutions categorically. We even run the adverts in some national dailies including The Nation Newspapers.”

  • NANS wildcard (1)

    In 2001, Croatian tennis star, Goran Ivaniševiæ was invited to participate in Wimbledon – one of tennis’s oldest and most prestigious grand slams – as a “wildcard.” He was ranked World No. 125, prior to that he was the World No.2 at the height of his career.

    A “wild card” is often awarded to an individual or team that has not qualified through normal process or qualifying series which allow them to enter competitors whose abilities are below the required standards. In some instances, wild cards are given to the host nation in order to boost their chances.

    As an avid tennis fan, I watched the final with the enthusiasm a Manchester United, Arsenal or Chelsea fan would watch their teams play. His No. 125 position was not sufficient to earn him an automatic place in the main draw at Wimbledon but, given his past record as a three-time runner-up – 1992, 1994 and 1998 – he was awarded the “wildcard” for entry into the singles draw. What happened next was one of the sweetest stories to come out of tennis.

    He defeated former and future World No.1 players Carlos Moyá, Andy Roddick and Marat Safin to reach the semi-final, beating home favourite Tim Henman in five set at the semi-final, setting-up a match with the previous year’s runner-up and former US Open champion Patrick Rafter.

    In a match lasting over three hours, Ivaniševiæ defeated Rafter 6–3, 3–6, 6–3, 2–6, 9–7. With the win, Ivaniševiæ became the lowest-ranked player and the first wildcard entry to win Wimbledon. He made history and the wildcard paid off just when he thought he was done with tennis.

    Don’t get carried away with a bit of tennis history as I’m not writing about tennis today but about the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) which last week extended its own version of a wildcard to President Goodluck Jonathan by conferring on him the title of “Grand Commander of Nigerian Students.” As expected of an event of this nature, it generated ruckus within the ranks of Nigerian students.’ It is coming on the heels of the conferment of “Mandela Icon Award” on Chief Olabode George by Zone C – North Central – of NANS which is equally causing disquiet in the ranks.

    I wrote a three part series on NANS last year which brought me face to face with the rot within the association and the pathetic state of student unionism in the country. As a result of calls I got from concerned stakeholders – past and present NANS Presidents, varsity authorities etc – I started questioning where we got things so wrong. NANS, as presently constituted – I was told by a concerned stakeholder – is a “platform for anything goes.”

    I was made to understand that since the NANS convention is slated for Asaba from September 11 (today) through Sunday, the present leadership has all this planned to grab a “piece of the action” before their tenure elapses. That is where we are!

    My curiosity for writing the series last year stemmed from receiving correspondences from three individuals claiming to be “president” of NANS. What followed was like opening up a can of worms of accusations and counter accusations which goes to show that the house of present day NANS is actually built with tinderbox waiting to be ignited at the slightest provocation.

    In the run up to its 26th convention, student delegates from institutions of higher learning across Nigeria converged in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, and “elected” Yinka Gbadebo of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) Ile-Ife as the president. The congress was controversial because Prince Miaphen and Adelu Monehim James of OAU kicked against Gbadebo’s election.

    After the controversial and heated convention, NANS witnessed a split along ethno-religious lines when a former undergraduate from Usman Dan Fodio University, Sokoto (UDUSOK), announced a “Northern NANS.” This almost tore the union apart, but the students eventually came together after finding a common ground of agreement.

    However, that split fostered deeper ideological conflicts and schisms between different interest groups and weakened the broad platform of NANS; this unfortunately has continued to date. One delegate was compelled to allege that: “Student unionism has been infiltrated by dirty money politics as well as brigandage by members of some confraternities and cult groups.”

    But some past activists strike a more sympathetic note. They see the new developments as not simply evidence of student leaders’ “degeneration,” but as a symptom of broader problems in the larger society like in 2005 when the then NANS president Orkuma Hembe used the platform to campaign for Obasanjo’s third term gambit and even went further to award him “Defender of Democracy”. Perhaps he was too young, or does not have a sense of history to remember that it was this same defender of democracy that proscribed NUNS, the precursor of NANS and under whose administration some NUNS activists were rusticated from their various universities.

    The conferment of the “Grand Commander of Nigerian Students” on President Jonathan is generating comments because of previous antecedents. Rewind to the 1990s. That era birthed the rent-a-crowd presidential endorsement movements. First to emerge was the Arthur Nzeribe, Abimbola Davies and Jerry Okoro movement which sought an extension for Babangida’s military government through the Association for Better Nigeria (ABN).

    Anyone familiar with Nigerian history will know that their activities contributed to what would later culminate into the June 12 crisis and its attendant repercussions. It ushered in the Abacha regime and a similar organisation, the Youth Earnestly Ask for Abacha (YEAA), founded by the trio of Daniel Kanu, Johnbull Adebanjo and Emmanuel Okereke.

    In the last couple of months, the Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria (TAN) that seeks to sell the Goodluck Jonathan candidature to Nigerians is simply reenacting the Abacha and Babangida inglorious years. Recollect also that in the run up to the election in 2011, there was a neighbour-to-neighbour movement that carried out a vigorous campaign for Jonathan.

    It is within this prism that we can situate the present conferment especially by its timing and nature. Some are questioning the rationale of the award against the backdrop of the myriad of problems confronting the “students” on campuses they still found the time to be conferring awards on politicians instead of concentrating on their studies.

    Given the steady decline of NANS over the years, its endorsements are not out of sync with its previous sophistry. This same group lost three members to a road accident some years back while on a similar trip to bestow a “Governor of the Year” award on Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State.

    A couple of years ago, it was going to confer on Olabode George the Kwame Nkrumah award in the name of the All Africa Students Union. The latter organisation disowned it calling the promoters a band of frauds but they still did not back off from that pursuit. Penultimate week, they succeeded in granting him the Nelson Mandela icon award. The sad part of all these is that these are supposed to be the “leaders of tomorrow.”

    Before castigating real students for allowing their association to be hijacked by hawks, let’s not forget that this is an association that has been infiltrated by cults and fraternities on campuses. I was informed that students’ with genuine leadership intentions keep away for fear of their lives.

    At the conferment of the award on Jonathan, Yinka Gbadebo, was quoted as saying he would mandate all students to cast their votes for Jonathan. How he proposes to “mandate” his colleagues into voting a candidate of his choice is not as worrisome as the blatant manner he makes these declarations without any scruples about being embarrassed if contradicted by his constituency. “What do our children learn in universities these days?” A concerned parent reacted.

    It befuddles the mind really. But what is clear is that what we call NANS today is simply a band of opportunists looking for every opportunity to take their share of the proverbial national cake. Their desperation to be included in the routine sharing of the national cake perhaps explains why you never see these professional students ever associated with anything academic. They are junketing about while the serious ones are busy in the classrooms.

     

  • ‘NANS should demand good governance’

    A former Vice President of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Kabir Adamu, has urged the association to demand better funding of education.

    Kabir, who is the chairman of Northern Students’ Forum, made the call while speaking to CAMPUSLIFE on issues affecting the association. He faulted the postponement of NANS convention by planning committee, noting that there was no basis for the shifting.

    He said NANS must demand better governance in 2015, urging students to reject desperate politicians. He said: “As the 2015 general election approaches, I urge students to unite for a collective purpose. They must join forces to bring down the mightiest walls of oppression and injustice in our society and we should reject the temptation of desperate politicians, who use crude tactics of divide and rule the people.”

    He said students must be vigilant and never lose hope for a better country.

  • Inadequate power supply will end with my regime – Jonathan

    Inadequate power supply will end with my regime – Jonathan

    President Goodluck Jonathan on Friday maintained that his successor will not face the challenge of inadequate power supply in Nigeria.

    He made the remark at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, while receiving a delegation of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), led by the Senior Special Assistant on Youth Affairs, Jude Imagwe and NANS President, Yinka Gbadebo.

    The President said his administration is doing everything possible to tackle electricity supply challenges in the country.

    He also reiterated the commitment of his administration to delivering free, fair and credible elections in the country.

    According to him, Nigeria will no longer be a laughing stock but be respected globally as far as credible election is concerned.

    The President assured that tertiary institutions in the country will not just be big in population but also in quality, saying he will leave no stone unturned in the efforts to return Nigerian universities to its lost glory and high standard.

    President Jonathan said he will do everything to ensure Nigerian universities are rated among the top 500 in the world.

    During the visit, he was decorated as the Grand Commander of Nigerian Students (GCNS).

    Among the delegation were 10 former NANS presidents and ‎eight former NANS senate presidents, Student Union Presidents in universities, polytechnics, monotechnics and colleges of education.‎

    Thanking the students, the President said the award and words of encouragement will spur his administration to do more.

    “To whom much is given more is expected,” he stated.

    .

  • Contributors’ clinic

    LET us welcome DAILY NEWSWATCH to this column. Its August 27 edition goofed three times with its headlines: “NANS commends Fashola over (for) LASU fees”

    “AFDB (AfDB) grants $150m to Ebola affected (Ebola-affected) nations”

    THE NATION of August 27 comes next with this schoolboy mistake: “It was restored few (a few) weeks ago at N65 and it will take effect from September 1.”

    “…he said PDP does (did) not need Wike to win election in Rivers.”

    “The once popular Ejinrin seaport near Epe, Lagos State, which was once a beehive of activities from slavery to….” No oddity please: hive of activity, preferably, or beehive of activity (not activities)!

    “Among the dignitaries at (on) the occasion were….”

    “Okada riders, police clash set community on fire” A rewrite: Okada riders’, police clash sets community on fire”

    “Anambra seeks citizens’ input on (into/to) 2015 budget”

    “Residents of Ogun community seek organisation’s probe over (into) human rights violation”

    “Kwarans are no longer their brother’s keepers….” Fixed/stock expression: brother’s keeper (no matter the plurality)

    “…ethnic and political lines with the wealth of the state in the hands of just a few individuals.” Going by the context of this extract, it should be ‘few individuals’ and not ‘a few individuals’.

    “Dangote pays half year (half-year) bonus”

    “If that has (had) been the case over the years….”

    The Guardian front and inside pages of August 23 nurtured falsehoods for the second time in four years: “The new cases are people who had secondary contacts with late (the late) Patrick Sawyer….”

    “Eko Bridge repairs starts (why?), Lagos urges caution, cooperation”

    “Voters registration: Mimiko calls for deadline extension as protests mar exercise” This way: Voter apathy/registration

    “How to restore confidence in (to) Police Force, by Tsav”

    “Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development hereby invites stakeholders to the grand commissioning (inauguration or unveiling) of the 100,000 MT (100,000-MT) silo complex and flag-off (launch) ceremony….”

    “Congratulations to an outstanding public officer, accountant per (par) excellence and a man of integrity….”

    “…on your selection as one of the most exceptional accountant-general in the federation.”  Get it right: accountants-general

    Finally from THE GUARDIAN under review: “There seems to be international conspiracy (an international conspiracy) in (against) Ebola outbreak.”

    FEEDBACK

    USAGE HINTS:  “Beggars must not be choosers”, meaning “a person who is hungry and has no money to buy food should not complain when he is offered bread and cheese instead of roast lamb and new potatoes, with apple tart and cream to follow. He is in no position to argue with his benefactor and should be grateful for anything he is given”, is the standard proverb (not “Beggars can’t be choosers”).

    Similar proverbs are NEVER LOOK A GIFT HORSE IN THE MOUTH; HE WHO PAYS THE PIPER CALLS THE TUNE.

    “To have one’s cake and eat it” or “to eat one’s cake and have it” means “to have the advantages of two things or situations when doing, possessing, etc. One of them would normally make the other one impossible’. Mr. Andrew is engaged to one of the sisters but he would like to have his cake and eat it and go out with the other sisters.

    -Ize or –ise? The ending –ize and – ization are generally preferred to – ise and – isation in the 21st century usage, hence “sensitize”, like Womanize (not –ise), capsize (not –ise), hospitalize (not –ise), humanize, dehumanize, capitalize, doctorize, Russianize, Americanize, Africanize, Nigerianize, militarize, democratize, globalize, demonize, is the preferred form (not “sensitise”).

    Every user of English should keep abreast of the current tendencies and influences in the language.

    Lest we forget, CELEBRATER or Celebrator is reserved for someone having a good time while “celebrant” is reserved for someone who conducts a religious rite. If  “celebrator” becomes overworked/overused or becomes obsolete, then “celebrater”, the original word, will take over (Look it up in The New International Webster’s Comprehensive Dictionary of The English Language, page 214 and The Associated Press STYLEBOOK, page 36).

    “Inquire” is the preferred spelling, NOT “enquire” and “inquiry” is preferred to “enquiry” (DICTIONARY OF USAGE, page 91). Besides, in American English, the general preference is to use “inquiry” (GOOD WORD GUIDE, page 99). The debate continues. Well done, brother! (Bayo Oguntunase, Language activist, Adoro62@yahoo.co.uk)

    MR. Wabara, I have always enjoyed your every Sunday tonic—Wordsworth. Keep it up. I wish to draw your attention to our discussion on the word ‘about’ in one of last month’s editions. You inadvertently repeated what was required to be corrected as the correction. Secondly, one of your contributors to that edition should have said, ‘about 1,720 or 1,700’…rounded to the nearest 10 or 100 (sic) would have read rounded up or down to the nearest 10 or 100. And this: 1,729 or 1,700 (to the nearest 10 and 100 respectively). For instance, 1,755 can be rounded up to 1,800 (not 100). Thank you. (Surveyor J. O. Amayo, Benin City, 08051646227)

    THE next two contributions by Mr. Kola Danisa (07068074257) are from THE NATION of August 24: “Over four months after their abduction, the girls are yet (have yet) to be located.”

    “Liberia is (has) yet to return to….”

    DR. Stanley Nduagu (08062925996) sent in the next faulty extract from Aba: “The Nigerian nurses as endangered specie (species)” (Nigerian nurses and midwives’ advertorial) ‘Species’ is both singular and plural. The word ‘specie’ has no place in English language.

    More knowledge-based, well-researched, therapeutic and constructive contributions are welcome.

  • NANS endorses Jonathan for second term

    The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) endorsed yesterday President Goodluck Jonathan to run for a second term in office.

    President of NANS Yinka Gbadebo, who led the National Executive members of the association on a visit to First Lady Dame Patience Jonathan, expressed their support at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

    The delegation, which passed a vote of confidence in Jonathan, also presented a certificate of credence to Dame Jonathan for her pursuit of peace and empowerment of women and the youth.

    “As pragmatic and visionary Nigerians, we can see through the veil of distraction and boldly applaud the Goodluck administration for infrastructural and social transformation.

     “We have unflinchingly determined to put all political detractors and evil geniuses to shame in 2015 by giving Mr President the singular and total support of all Nigerian students.

    “As a united association, all students have been mandated to cast their votes for President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan to emerge victorious and continue the good works of transformation,’’ he said.

    Gbadebo noted that in order to actualise this, NANS had floated the Nigerian Students Transformation Vanguard to champion this cause.

    The NANS president commended Jonathan for his support to Nigerian students and youths by appointing six past NANS leaders in his administration.

    According to him, the past leaders included the Ministers of Information and Education, Mr Labaran Maku and Alhaji Malam Ibrahim Shekarau.

    Others are the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Niger Delta Affairs, Mr Kingsley Kuku, and Senior Special Assistant to the President on Students and Youth matters, Mr Jude Imagwe.

  • NANS award surprises Nasarawa boss

    Chairman Nasarawa United FC  Isaac Danladi has described his choice for the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) 2013/2014 award as a surprise adding that he would do everything possible to justify the confidence reposed on him by NANS.

    Danladi, who is also the chairman of chairmen of Club Owners Association added another feather to his cap with an award as the most outstanding corporate builder and achiever in Nigeria in year 2013/2014.

    Danladi thanked the leadership of NANS for the award and promised to continue the good work and not to be deterred saying as future leaders they have a responsibility to the unity of Nigeria.

  • NANS greets UNN VC

    Students in higher institutions have been urged to shun tribal sentiments in their relationship with fellow students.

    The charge was given by the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Nigeria, (UNN), Prof Benjamin Chukwuma Ozumba, while receiving members of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) Southeast (Zone B) in his office last week.

    Prof Ozumba advised the students to be selfless in the discharge of their responsibilities and maintain good academic records.

    President of the Students’ Union Government of the institution, Christian Agu said the union had bridged the communication gap between students and management.

    Presenting a paper titled: “Moral behaviour and selfless service”, NANS Zone B President Ikechukwu Okorie advised members of the students’ union to unite for the progress of the institution.

    The Public Relations Officer, Mr Mike Asogwa, expressed gratitude to the VC for the cordial relationship with everyone.

    Agu expressed optimism that the visit would help the students’ body to understand the challenges faced by students.

     

  • Chibok abduction: Jonathan has failed, says NANS

    Chibok abduction: Jonathan has failed, says NANS

    •Govt refusing assistance bad for rescue efforts’

    Exactly 100 days after over 200 pupils were abducted from the Government Girls’ Secondary School in Chibok, Borno State, the leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has criticised President Goodluck Jonathan for his “indolent and incompetent” leadership over the incident.

    In a statement yesterday by NANS Public Relations Officer (PRO), Comrade Victor Olaogun, the students’ body decried the further collapse of the Education sector since the Jonathan administration took over.

    It noted that besides the suffering from insecurity, Nigerian students suffered the President’s “incompetence” more than any other Nigerian.

    Olaogun said since the Boko Haram insurgents started their killings and destruction of property, over 800 students had been killed, especially at the Federal Polytechnic, Mubi; the Adamawa State University; the School of Hygiene in Kano; the College of Agriculture in Damaturu, Yobe State, among others.

    Olaogun said: “Or, do we talk about the killing of innocent National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members whose blood politicians have continued to march on to power?

    “We cannot but imagine the harrowing experiences of these innocent girls, who may have been subjected to terrible experiences in the last 100 days in captivity. There is hardly any nation where this could happen and the President would still have the temerity to stage a political campaign and dance Alanta, as our own President did in Kano few hours after the Iyanya bombing. It was a huge display of insensitivity and gross misconduct.

    “Also, I am a polytechnic student. With my mates in almost all the polytechnics across the federation and the colleges of education, we have been idle for over 10 months and somebody would tell me we have a government in place? We should recall also that the university education was put on hold for over six months before our colleagues could return to their various campuses. These are not only unacceptable but also condemnable.”

    The students’ leader also condemned the $1 billion (about N165 billion) loan request by the President.

    He said students would be mobilised for a protest to the National Assembly, if the lawmakers approve “the fraudulent request”.

    Olaogun said: “Let me warn all the senators and the members of the House of Representatives that if they want to return to their constituencies without being stoned, they should not even consider the loan request, not to talk of approving it. We are aware that the President and his clique of wanted elements …are busy piling up our commonwealth to fight their way back to Aso Rock in 2015. We will fight it and make life more difficult for them.”

    Also, a group, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), has said the failure of the Goodluck Jonathan administration to genuinely seek and accept assistance from other states and international organisations is a major reason the over 200 pupils of Government Girls’ Secondary School in Chibok, Borno State, have not been rescued.

    The schoolgirls were abducted 100 days ago by Boko Haram insurgents and have remained in the sect’s captivity since.

    In a statement yesterday by its Executive Director Adetokunbo Mumuni, SERAP said: “It is 100 days today that the girls were taken away from their families. The question Nigerians are asking is why this government has not admitted that it cannot do it alone. It is now time for the government to genuinely and proactively seek help and international assistance to obtain the badly needed intelligence, logistics and other support so that the schoolgirls can return to their families without further delay.

    “At this point, seeking such assistance will not breach Nigeria’s sovereignty. As a matter of fact, SERAP believes that Nigeria has a duty, under international law, not only to seek international assistance but also to accept any such assistance when offered. This is the basis of the principle of international cooperation for the protection of human rights. “

  • NANS aspirant makes case for free education

    A Vice-Presidential aspirant of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Oluwafemi Williams, has advised government at all levels to make education free. Oluwafemi said the present crop of leaders enjoyed quality and free education, but said none of them reciprocated the gesture to the generation after them.

    He said education was being seen as a privilege, which made managements of universities increase fees without considering the plight of the students. He said public institutions should be affordable for the poor.

    “This set of people that constitute the management boards were children of blacksmiths, hunters, farmers and so and became what they are today because of the cheap education they enjoyed. Now, they are big men and have failed to realise that all fingers are not created equal,” he said.

    He decried the poor standard of education in the country, saying: “It is a big shame for this kind of education to be made expensive. Why would you have over 80 students in a department and a lecturer teaching over 1,000 students in a classroom without teaching aids and so on? If this kind of education of little quality is made expensive, then I fear for the future of this country. Making it expensive should be termed extortion and corruption.”

    Oluwafemi urged other students’ leaders to rise against the problem of rising tuition in the country.