The Nation Newspaper

Tag: NANS

  • Ekiti cooperative societies get N50m loan

    Ekiti cooperative societies get N50m loan

    •Association gets 100 bikes

    •Buses for artisans, NANS

    The Ekiti State government has disbursed N50 million revolving loan to cooperative societies in the first phase of the Cooperative Revitalisation Fund.

    It also gave 100 motorcycles to the State Motorcyclists Association; an 18-seater bus to the state chapter of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) and a bus to the Joint Artisans and Technicians.

    Presenting the cheque to cooperative societies yesterday in Ado-Ekiti, Governor Kayode Fayemi said the fund would improve the lending capacity of the societies and the standard of living.

    He said: “Cooperative societies are viable networks that can evolve into sustainable business enterprises to enhance the economic development of Ekiti State, if harnessed. Hence the need to revitalise these societies cannot be overemphasised. Today’s activity is aimed at increasing the lending capacity of the societies, thereby reducing poverty in line with our vision to make poverty history in the state.”

    He said cooperative societies are expected to grow and expand to other areas of economic activities, such as establishment of cottage industries in cluster communities where raw materials are available, thereby reducing poverty and generating employment.

    Fayemi said his administration will continue to create a conducive environment for micro industries to thrive, adding: “The disbursement of the cheque is consistent with our efforts to stimulate economic development in furtherance of our 8-point agenda.”

    Presenting the keys of the buses and motorcycles to the beneficiaries, he assured commercial motorcyclists that he would not ban them from operating.

    He said they had contributed immensely to the development of the transport sector and the economy.

    Commissioner for Rural Development and Community Empowerment Folorunso Olabode urged the societies to be fair in the distribution of the loan, advising beneficiaries to invest in viable ventures and repay the loan promptly.

    Chairman of the State Cooperative Advisory Board Chief Adeola Ayoola said the Board had been working hard to unify cooperatives societies.

     

     

     

  • Students protest hike in LASU’s fees

    Students protest hike in LASU’s fees

    The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) yesterday stormed the office of Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola to protest the school fees hike at the Lagos State University (LASU).

    The students were led by their Southwest Coordinator, Sunday Ashefun, who blamed the continuous unrest in the school on the hike.

    They barricaded the entrance to the governor’s office, urging Fashola to reverse the school fees increment without delay.

    Ashefun urged the Federal Government to honour its 2010 agreement with the Academic Staff Union of Colleges of Education (COASU) and Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP).

    They said students in tertiary institutions must go back to school.

    The students urged the managements of the University of Lagos (UNILAG); College of Education, Ikere-Ekiti; and Tai Solarin College of Education (TASCE) to lift the ban on unionism.

    The also called for the conversion of the Higher National Diploma (HND) certificate to Bachelor of Science degree (B.Tech) in Technology; implementation of the 26 per cent budgetary allocation proposed by the United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) and removal of the supervising Minister of Education.

    They vowed to resist plans by the Federal and state governments to introduce new tuition fees in tertiary institutions.

  • Cleric bags NANS outstanding leadership award

    The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has conferred its outstanding leadership award on the general overseer of Faith Revival Apostolic Church (FRAC) Lagos, Apostle Paul Adenuga.

    The presentation, which held at the church’s headquarters along Idimu- Egbeda Lagos last Sunday, was attended by church members and executives of the students’ body.

    Explaining the choice of the cleric for the award, NANS president, Mr. Yinka Gbadebo said: “It is an honour that is well deserved by him. He has stood by NANS over the years to promote peace and quality education.

    “He has come around on several occasions to defend the average Nigerian students. He has been very philanthropic to many students to enable them acquire good education.”

    Gbadebo added: “He has on so many occasions helped the association to rise above board. During the last ASUU strike, there was a time many people did not even understand the reason behind the strike and at that moment, we needed somebody that would broker peace for us to have a way forward and he came up and played that role.

    “We intend to involve him more in the building of NANS because a lot of us do not have character and charisma anymore because we are all interested in our personal gains.’’

    Adenuga appreciated the students for counting him worthy to receive the award and dedicated it to God.

    He said: “I dedicate this award to the Almighty God.  I appreciate the students because they are the future of the country. They love the truth that is why they are appreciating men of God that are putting more effort to preach undiluted word of God.”

  • NANS honours MAUTECH VC

    The National Association of Nigerian Students Union (NANS) has honoured Prof Bashir Haruna Usman, Vice-Chancellor of Modibbo Adama University of Technology (MAUTECH) in Yola, Adamawa State with leadership award of excellence.

    The award was presented by National NANS President Yinka Gbadegbo.

    Dr Bashir Aliyu, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration), who received the award on behalf of VC, thanked the association for the recognition, dedicating the award to staff and students.

    He attributed the success of his administration to the visionary leadership of the institution’s Students’ Union Government (SUG) for its sensitisation campaign against examination malpractices and other vices on campus. He commended the union on the recent donation of dustbins to the university, urging them to make good use of the university facilities.

    Gbadebo said the award was an annual event in which the public and students were allowed to nominate the best performing Vice-Chancellor, Rector and Provost through the social media. Prof Usman emerged first in leadership excellence and judicious utilisation of funds and execution of projects that have direct benefit to students.

    In a related development, the parliament of MAUTECH Students’ Union has also honoured the Registrar, Alhaji Ibrahim Ahmadu Ribadu and six others. It also unveiled the constituency projects of its senate members.

    In his opening remarks, the Speaker, Ibrahim Bello, said the projects included procurement of 10,000 mosquito nets and 50,000 note books for students.

    He said the selection of the beneficiaries was based on the recognition of their outstanding contribution in their respective areas of specialisation.

    Responding on behalf of the recipient, Dr Umar Boboi, a representative of Girei Local Government in Adamawa State House of Assembly, thanked the senate members of MAUTECH SUG for acknowledging their performance in various areas of responsibilities, assuring the students of their support and cooperation at all times.

    Others honoured included Dr Jafaru Ali, Deans Students Affairs; Dr Halilu Hamman, Chairman Adamawa State Universal Education Board; Alhaji Salii Buba Secretary Adamawa Pension Board; Mr Wilson Yerima, Principal Account, Adamawa State University, Mubil; Hajiya Maryam Nyako, Executive Director Adamawa Education Endowment Fund and Helen Daniel.

     

  • NANS honours VC

    NANS honours VC

    The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has conferred an award of excellence on the Vice-Chancellor (VC) of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), Prof Bartho Okolo. The VC was named the Best Vice-Chancellor in Nigeria in infrastructure development.

    Presenting the award in the VC’s conference room, NANS president Yinka Gbadebo said the award was to recognise Prof Okolo’s strides in infrastructure development, and for providing an enabling learning atmosphere for students.

    “In as much as you have given students in UNN the best atmosphere to excel in their studies, and those dilapidated hostels and classrooms are being refurbished by your administration, provide the best library any Nigerian university ever has, we, on behalf of over 40 million Nigerian students, present this award to Prof Bartho Okolo as the best Vice-Chancellor in Nigeria in terms of infrastructure development,” Gbadebo said.

    The NANS president explained that the decision to honor Prof Okolo was unanimously taken by NANS senate based on the report submitted by the executive arm of NANS after its fact-finding visit to UNN in January.

    The students’ leader implored the VC not to allow distraction to derail his work, but to see the award as a catalyst that would propel him to work harder for the development of university.

    While commending the VC for listening to voice of reason and lifted the ban placed on students’ unionism in the school, Gbadebo enjoined students to identify with NANS campaign against campus prostitution and cultism, maintaining that it was time to make campuses free of crime.

    Responding, Prof Okolo said he was overwhelmed by the honour.

    He remarked that his administration would do more to improve the standard of education in the university. “We don’t feel we have done enough, those of us who have seen the standard of education in other countries are pained by the level of education in Nigeria; we will continue to do our best to make it better,” he said.

    The VC said his administration did not invent anything new but prioritised the features of quality assurance in education and tried to bring the university to the same level with its peers across the world.

    Prof. Okolo added that the secret behind the success of his administration was the passion to do the right thing regardless of the opinion of detractors. “We have not done anything to impress anybody, all we have done was out of our passion to do the right thing, we will continue to do what we are doing despite the persecution,” he said.

    On the NANS president’s entourage were members of the association in South-south and Southeast zones, including Chinonso Obasi, Andrew Ugwu and former NANS president Yinka Dada, among others.

  • President’s aide, NANS praise provost

    President’s aide, NANS praise provost

    The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Youth and Students Affairs, Comrade Jude Imagwe, has visited the Federal College of Education (Technical), Umunze, Anambra state on a fact-finding mission.

    The institution’s Provost Prof Josephat Ogbuagu, who received Imagwe, guided him during the tour of the college’s facilities at both the temporary and permanent sites.

    Ogbuagu’s achievements have earned him another term.

    Imagwe was impressed with some of the facilities, including Emma Uguru Ultra-modern lecture hall, new lecture theatre, School of Sciences complex, the Virtual library, and the main library, among others.

    He praised the management’s prudent use of resources, and enthroning harmony among staff and students and the host community.

    He advised the students to embrace dialogue for conflict resolutions, shun vices and not allow themselves to be tools in the hands of politicians.

    Imagwe highlighted the Federal Government’s strides in health, education, power, transportation, agricultural sectors, among others, noting that the president has demonstrated this through the formulation and implementation of the right policies.

    The Chairman of the Students’ Caretaker Committee Mr Charles Anya, pleaded with President Goodluck Jonathan to prevail on the Ministry of Youth and Student Affairs to assist students of the college in constructing a befitting Students’ Union secretariat with a vehicle for their operation.

    The highpoint of the event was the presentation of of an award of excellence by Mr Anya to the President.

    In a related development, the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has conferred an award of excellence on Prof. Ogbuagu as the Southsouth/Southeast ‘Outstanding Chief Executive of the Year.’

    The award was presented to the provost by the executive council NANS Zone B at a well -attended ceremony in the council chambers of the college.

    Ahead of the presentation, the leader of the delegation Comrade Chinonso Obasi, who praised Prof. Ogbuagu for his transformation of the institution, said NANS executive council paid unscheduled visits to the college on several occasions, noting that the college stands out among its counterparts nationwide.

    He said Ogbuagu”s nomination was simply on merit and in recognition of his selfless service, especially in the education sector.

    He also said the college has also been designated as the fastest growing tertiary institution in the Southsouth/ Southeast zone, attributing this to Ogbuagu’s hardwork.

    Showing appreciation for the award, Ogbuagu promised the institution’s support to NANS.

     

  • NANS disowns official over Akpabio’s ultimatum

    NANS disowns official over Akpabio’s ultimatum

    The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) yesterday disowned its Southwest Coordinator, Sunday Ashefon, for giving Akwa Ibom State Governor Godswill Akpabio 14 days ultimatum to find Prof. James Olomo.

    Olomo, a lecturer at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State was allegedly kidnapped in Akwa Ibom on October 17 last year.

    NANS in a statement by its Vice- President (Special Duties), Comrade Ubon Marcus, in Abuja said the ultimatum does not represent the association’s official position.

    The statement described Ashefon as an attention-seeker, who felt he could make Akpabio notice him through blackmail and propaganda.

    Marcus noted that as the chief security officer of the state, Akpabio has provided security agencies with the resources to tackle crime, adding that he even established special security teams, such as Operation Thunder and Quick Response Squad, to rid the state of criminals.

    He said he wondered why Ashefon should attempt to “insult Akpabio over the alleged kidnap of a man who is said to have come to the state for private concerns, which the governor is unaware of.”

    Marcus further said that to the best of his knowledge, security agencies in the state had been performing their duties. He urged the public to approach such agencies whenever security issues arose.

    Sympathising with the family of Prof. Olomo over the unfortunate incident, the NANS VP warned Ashefon to either desist from making unguarded statements or face serious actions from students.

    He enjoined him to apologise to students for “using its much respected platform to peddle blackmail and propaganda, rather than projecting their legitimate interests.”

    Marcus urged the NANS Southwest coordinator, whom he described as a “fresh comrade”, who recently assumed office, to focus on the tenets of the struggle rather than attacking Akpabio, who has done a lot to sustain the struggle.

    He cited the hosting of the last NANS national convention in Uyo by the governor as the greatest support any governor has given to NANS, saying students should be grateful for this.

    According to him, Akpabio holds education in high esteem as shown by his free and compulsory education policy and the provision of educational infrastructure.

    Marcus said the governor’s timely intervention in the crisis in the University of Uyo (Uniuyo) prevented it from worsening and provided an enabling platform for the return of peace.

    He apologised to Akpabio and advised him to continue his good programmes.

     

  • NANS disowns official over Akpabio

    The National Association of Nigerian Students on Tuesday disowned its South-West Coordinator, Sunday Ashefon, for giving Akwa Ibom State, Governor Godswill Akpabio, 14 days ultimatum to find Prof. James Olomo.

    Olomo, a lecturer of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, was allegedly kidnapped in Akwa Ibom State on October 17, 2013.

    NANS in a statement signed by its Vice President in charge of Special Duties, Comrade Ubon Marcus, in Abuja, said the ultimatum does not represent the official position of the association.

    The statement described Ashefon as an attention seeker who felt he could make Governor Akpabio notice him through cheap blackmail and propaganda.

    Comrade Marcus noted that as Chief Security Officer of Akwa Ibom State, Akpabio, has provided security agencies in the state with resources to tackle crime and even established special security teams such as “Operation Thunder” and “Quick Response Squad” to further rid the state of criminal elements.

    He wondered why Ashefon should attempt to “insult the governor over the alleged kidnap of a man who was said to have come to Akwa Ibom for private concerns which the governor does not know about.”

    He further stated that to the best of his knowledge, security agencies in the state have been performing their duties and called on the public to approach such agencies whenever security issues arise.

    While sympathizing with Prof. Olomo’s family over the unfortunate incident, the NANS VP warned Ashefon to either desist from making unguarded statements or face serious actions from Nigerian students.

    He advised him to apologise to Nigerian students for “using its much respected platform to peddle blackmail and propaganda rather than projecting the legitimate interests of students.”

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  • We’ll rebrand NANS

    We’ll rebrand NANS

    THE newly elected executives of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Zone D (South West) have pledged to work towards rebranding the students’ union body.

    This was disclosed by the Public Relations Officer, Mr. Olatinwo Jeremiah, during an interview with our reporter. He noted that NANS currently has a low rating among students and the public, thereby fostering misguided public opinions about it.

    He promised that students’ welfare would be the priority of the current tenure. According to him, “The new leadership of NANS zone D is pledging its total commitment to topnotch, apt and strategic advocacy for members. We will give our all in making the government do the needful. The welfare of our members is our priority.”

    He, however, appealed to students across tertiary institutions to see themselves as one indivisible body, calling on them to support NANS so as to reach the promise land.

    He lauded the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and the federal government for resolving their differences and expressed optimism that the strike would mark a turning point for Nigerian educational system.

  • NANS honours Etsu Nupe

    The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has conferred the most student friendly Royal Father of the Year award on the Etsu Nupe.

    Presenting the plaque to the monarch in his palace in Bida, Niger State, NANS Secretary-General, Daniel Momodu, said the award was in recognition the monarchs ruler for his contributions to education development, youth empowerment and nation building.

    The monarch thanked the students for the honour, adding that he would continue to be their friendly. He urged them to be good ambassadors of the country.