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Tag: NANS

  • NANS accuses Jonathan of complicity in Rivers crisis

    NANS accuses Jonathan of complicity in Rivers crisis

    The National Association of Nigeria Students (NANS) yesterday accused President Goodluck Jonathan of being the brain behind the Rivers State crisis.

    It described Jonathan’s earlier denial of involvement in the crisis as false.

    NANS said: “President Goodluck Jonathan must stop distancing himself from the matter because, whether he likes it or not, he is vicariously involved in it. The direct involvement of the First Lady in the matter, which she publicly admitted to when 16 Bishops from the Southsouth paid her a visit at the Presidential Villa last week, implies Mr. President’s tacit involvement in it. Therefore, Mr. President cannot continue to feign ignorance or indifference in this sensitive matter.”

    According to a statement in Abuja by its Acting Senate President, Comrade John Shima, NANS gave the President and the Federal Government a 14-day ultimatum to resolve the crisis.

    Failure to heed to the ultimatum, the group said, “NANS shall be left with no option than to convene its next Senate Meeting at Port Harcourt, where it shall take a more decisive position and action on the Rivers State crisis”. “For the benefit of foresight, the action may include taking over the city of Abuja and paralysing all economic, social and political activities in the nation’s capital.”

    NANS demanded that “adequate security is provided for the Rivers State House of Assembly, so that the legislators can return to work”. “If that is done, then the majority will have their way and progress will be made, which is the true beauty of democracy.

    NANS called for “the immediate redeployment of the Rivers State Commissioner of Police (CP) Mr. Mbu Joseph Mbu, who from every indication has gone political”. “Since he has clearly shown that he cannot work harmoniously with the governor, then the CP should be redeployed immediately from the state. NANS hereby declares a 14-day ultimatum to the Federal Government of Nigeria and all its relevant organs to resolve the crisis in Rivers State.”

    The statement added: “The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), in keeping up with its traditional obligations as the bastion of democracy and vanguard of the oppressed and downtrodden, hereby condemns in its entirety, the show of ignominy unfolding in Rivers State, which culminated in the ferocious disruption of proceedings at the State’s House of Assembly on Tuesday 9th July, 2013.

    “We are, however, not oblivious of the fact that the festering crisis in the state has its roots in the acrimonious quest by the First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, to practically dictate to the ‘obstinate’ Executive Governor of Rivers State, His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi, how he should run certain affairs in Rivers State.

    “Even though President Goodluck Jonathan can also not be said to be inculpable in the matter, he is also a member of the PDP and from the neighbouring Bayelsa State. So, we actually hope that the PDP would use its internal mechanisms to bring this lingering problem to end.

    “We must bear in mind that the situation in Rivers State depicts a huge threat to the security of the state and, by extrapolation, the entire nation. The Executive Governor of Rivers State, Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi, has since made public, his own feelings of insecurity. There were reports last week of the deployment of policemen to the Rivers State Government House and the Rivers State Liaison Office in Abuja respectively, without the knowledge and approval of the state governor. That action by the police authorities is highly condemnable.

    “Mr. President should not forget that his cardinal responsibility to the state and its citizens is the provision of security for human lives and properties. This includes the lives of state governors and other high-profile individuals. Governor Amaechi has publicly declared that he is not comfortable with the Commissioner of Police in Rivers State, Mr. Mbu Joseph Mbu. We wonder why the Inspector-General of Police is reluctant to redeploy Mr. Mbu from the state. Mbu clearly gave a clue in an interview with a national television station that he works at cross-purposes with Governor Amaechi.

    “The President’s thumbprint is firmly embedded in the ongoing crisis in Rivers State.

     

     

     

     

     

  • Late NANS Senate president buried

    Late NANS Senate president buried

    The late Senate President of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Comrade Donald Onukaogu was last Friday buried in his home town in Ezehinnitte Mbaise, Itu, Imo State.

    Onukaogu died in a ghastly motor accident on June 13while on his way to the University of Uyo on a national assignment to intervene in the crisis that erupted in the institution after four students of the university were killed by policemen.

    He died along with  four others, Comrades  Jeremiah Sorkaa, Abdulazeez Oladimeji, Japheth Duru, and Asa Ejieta, who were also on the peace-keeping mission.

    According to a statement by the Association of Campus Journalists,  the burial was well attended by top government functionaries, student leaders, traditional rulers, captains of industry, technocrats, civil servants, activists, and religious leaders.

    Some of the dignitaries included President Goodluck  Jonathan who was duly represented by his Senior Special Assistant on Youth and Student Matters; Hon. Ethel Amadi, the President Pan-African Parliament; Governor Rochas Okorocha was represented by Imo Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Hon. Kenneth Emelu; National Assembly member representing Ahiazu/Ezinihitte Mbaise Federal Constituency, Hon. Nnanna Igokwe and  Prof. (Mrs) Viola Onwuliri, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs.

    In his tribute, Chairman, Senate Committee on Navy, Senenator Chris  Anyanwu  said Donald”s  death “is a monumental loss”.

    “I urge you all to endure with faith. Therefore, you must pick up the spirit and courage to forge ahead having solace that your colleague died in active struggle for your good, believing that God who knows all will surely lighten your emotional burden”.

    The Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha described Donald as a strong comrade whose impact in NANS and National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) would be missed. He also acknowledged his humility and patriotism.

    Former Gov. Orji Uzor Kalu of Abia State said: “For those who know Donald, he was a vibrant, creative and smart young man”.

    Hon. Ekennia Obioma of Imo State House of Assembly said: “His sudden death is another monumental loss to the Mbaise nation, and indeed Imo State, given the strategic position he was occupying even at his very young age”.

    The Imo State Commissioner for Public Utilities, Public Safety and Entrepreneurship, Dr. Iheanyi Nwachukwu described Donald as a beloved friend and brother.

    Sen. Salihu Ibrahim said: “Donald was a very noble person; he was committed to the course and welfare of Nigerian Students and he didn’t compromise against the interest of the students”.

    Comr. Momodu Daniel, the Secretary General of NANS said “Donald was more than a friend, he was a brother. I find solace in what he had achieved at his tender age. He made himself a sacrificial lamb for the interest of the students he served. He was just the best”.

    The leadership of National Youth Council of Nigeria, Ezinihitte Mbaise Chapter where Donald was also the Chairman until his untimely death said: “Donald was a leader per-excellent. His uncompromising attitude to the plights of every Ezinihitte youth was overwhelming and as such cannot easily be forgotten”.

  • NANS-JCC elects exco

    The National Association of Nigeria Students-Joint Campus Committee (NANS-JCC), Niger State Axis has elected new officials that will pilot its affairs.

    Comrade Abubakar Mohammed of IBBU was elected chairman, while Usman Abdulmalik of Federal Polytechnic, Bida won the post of Secretary-General at the elections conducted at the School of Technology, Minna.

    Another IBBU student, Suleiman Yusuf, was elected Assistant General Secretary, while Yusuf Naheem of Colloge of Education, Minna was elected Financial Secretary.

    Others are: Comrade Abdulsalam Musa of School of Health Technology, Minna (Treasurer) and Maryam Alfa of College of Education, Minna (Public Relations Officer).

    In his post election speech, the President, Mohammed thanked members for giving him the opportunity to serve and promised to justify the confidence reposed in the new executives.

     

  • Strike: NANS to state position Friday – Gbadebo

    Strike: NANS to state position Friday – Gbadebo

    The National Association of Nigerian Students, (NANS) will come out with its position on the ongoing strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) on Friday, its president, Mr Yinka Gbadebo, said on Wednesday.

    Gbadebo told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that the body was still consulting on the issue.

    He said that for now, they were appealing to all parties involved in the strike to find ways of reaching a compromise as students were always affected during strikes.

    On the implication of the ASUU strike coming when the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) was also protesting, he said that it was not good for students to be at home for long.

    “The government should at least do something for the unions because they play an important role and in the interest of the nation’s academic future, there should be a compromise.

    “We are appealing to both unions to look into the plight of the students because the staying at home of the students could do damage to their future, “ he said.

    According to him, though the demands of the two unions would improve their productivity and welfare, they should also consider the students.

    Gbadebo said that there should be give-and-take from both the government and the unions in resolving the problems.

    NAN recalls that ASUU had directed its members to embark on an indefinite strike nationwide since Monday.

    The action followed the inability of the Federal Government to implement some of the issues contained in a 2009 agreement it had with the union.

    ASUU also said the government had reneged on the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) it entered into with the union in December 2011.

    ASUP has also been on strike since April– over several issues.

  • Candlelight for NANS Five

    It was an emotion-laden scene last Wednesday when students of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) in Ile-Ife, Osun State gathered to mourn five officials of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), who died in an auto crash on their way to Uyo, Akwa Ibom State capital, to mediate the crisis at the University of Uyo (UNIUYO).

    Donald Onukaogu, a student of the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO) and Senate President of NANS, on June 14, died alongside Abdulazeez Kabir Oladimeji, University of Ibadan (UI); Jerry Sorkaa, Benue State University (BSU); Japhet Duru, Federal Polytechnic, Nekede (NEKEDE POLY) and Asa Ejiate, Delta State University (DELSU).

    Joined by NANS officials from other campuses, the students held a candlelight procession for their fallen leaders. The procession started at the OAU gate with a minute silence. Afterwards, the mourners moved round the campus, singing dirges.

    Student-leaders and NANS officials from OAU led the tributes’ session, which made the procession emotional.

    NANS President Yinka Gbadebo of OAU was absent, but he was represented by the Secretary General of the association, Daniel Momodu, 300-Level Political Science OAU.

    In his tribute, ‘Daniel said: “Their death is our collective loss and it is on this note that we call on all Nigerian students and our colleagues at the University of Uyo to always remember these martyrs, who lost their lives in efforts to protect the interest of the students.”

    The mourners urged the Federal Government to compensate the families of the late students’ leaders, because “their death is irreparable”. The deceased were described as heroes, who fought for the oppressed.

    The National Co-ordinator of Education Rights Campaign (ERC), Taiwo Hassan, said the students’ death should be seen as a nudge for NANS to unite and convene a national congress to tackle what they called police brutality against students.

    Present at the event were Samuel Adegbola, former president of Association of Campus Journalists (ACJ), his successor, Aderemi Ojekunle, chairman of OAU Students’ Union Transition Committee, Ayo Shedrach, and Steven Olajide, General Secretary of the committee. Others were Sheyi Babaeko, Tunde Badmus, Jamal Oladapo and Oluwatobi Omisakin, among others.

  • My take on police extra-judicial killings

    It was a rude shock after turning to CNN recently to see that Nigerians are on the street protesting thus shutting down once again the nation’s economy.

    All the airports, seaports, road transports, banks, schools, markets, shops, offices have all been closed down in protest of the rise in killing of Nigerians by people that are supposed to be protecting them. The demand of the protesters is just one thing, reforms in Police sector.

     

    In response to Christiana Amanpour reporting live from Lagos, Nigeria, “The NLC chairman has declared that they are not going back to work until all the police officers that perpetrated this criminal act are brought to justice.”

    “Festus Keyamo, Pastor Tunde Bakare of Save Nigerian Group (SNG), leaders of all civil society groups and members of opposition in Nigeria, had vowed that occupy Nigeria will not stop until the police men face trial and significant reforms are carried out in the Nigeria Police….”

    Despite the fact that more than 15 Nigerian students have lost their lives to Nigeria police bullets this year alone, the so called activists, opposition groups and trade unionists are only interested in issues that deal with politics, corruption of a lawmaker, useless Governors Forum Elections among others that can only serve their interest.

    After the death of four Nassarawa state University students during a protest 3 months ago against lack of water in their hostels, no reasonable action was taken to put a stop to this madness, even no comments from the fire brand activists and oppositions warming up for Aso Rock in 2015.

    Just last week, four University of UYO, students were killed by police officers in another protest against a hike in transportation fees by the school authorities. Yet the so called hope of Nigeria sees this event as non-relevant, they preferred to be paper tigers.

    Same story goes for Olabisi Onabanjo University, OOU, student victims of police arbitrary and illegal act of impunity in Ogun State and the recent University of Benin final year student that was killed.

    The only reaction to this madness came from the Education Right Campaign (ERC), issuing statements to condemn the killing and National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) who actually protested the killing of Nigerians with little or no support, even though NANS as an organization is battling with credibility problem

     

     

    Imagine that ASUU, NASU, NLC, NBA, NMA, TUC, SNG, NURTW, PENGANSAN, CIVIL SOCIETIES, Opposition Parties, Nollywood stars and a host of others joined hands with NANS in the campaign against police brutality and extra-judicial killings, my dream news on CNN might come true.

    Also, the dead five students’ leaders which include the Senate President of NANS might be alive today. There would have been no reason for them to respond to the urgent call from UYO after the killing of 4 students by Nigerian police force; they would not have died in that accident on their way to UYO.

    Police brutality is not only against student,  it also affect the whole populace as No section of the society can claimed that they have not lost members to the brutal killings of the Nigeria Police Force(NPF) and yet, it was greeted with silence and energy was directed toward frivolous issues

    I think it is high time NANS realized that, they have no allies in the struggle with all these so called mushroom civil societies and opposition groups. How many times have students joined ASUU, NLC, Anti-corruption crusaders, to stage protest marches?  It is uncountable and students have even lost comrades in the process or spent times in prisons. But when it came to issues that pertain to students, all these fire brand activists and groups that mobilized students for their own cause always abandon them and left them to dance to the music of sorrow alone.

    Talking to many of these people both in Nigeria and in Diaspora always makes me sick. They address you with little respect because you carry the tag of student as if students are different from human beings; the students killing cannot be treated in isolation and the NLC, TUC and others should stop acting as if being a student is a crime. I know some people will argue that, the culture of killing innocent students is not just something that started today, but my concern is why Nigerians don’t make use of this type of event to demand for reforms in relevant public institutions so that people that died will not die for nothing.

    Turkey has been witnessing a massive uprising that started from a peaceful protest on relocation of a garden. But they quickly make use of the event to demand for reforms in many sectors when the police responded with force which in turn has threatened the Prime Minister’s job. We don’t need to wait for fuel subsidy to be removed or till free and fair elections are nullified before we realize that killing of students that are the hope of the country is the beginning of the end of Nigeria.

    The increasing rise of the spate of police brutality in Nigeria, not only poses dire consequences for the stability of the Nigerian polity, but also undermines the policing and judicial processes. The situation appears to have significantly deteriorated today.

    A detailed new report catalogued by many international organizations, demonstrates that the assault, brutality and extra-judicial killings are still going on under the watch of the Nigerian police. Widespread corruption in the Nigeria Police is fuelling abuses against ordinary citizens and severely undermining the rule of law in Nigeria.

     

    On a daily basis, countless ordinary Nigerians are accosted by armed police officers who demand bribes and commit human rights abuses against them as a means of extorting money. These abuses range from arbitrary arrest and unlawful detention to threats and acts of violence, including sexual assault, torture, and extrajudicial killings. Police also routinely extort money from victims of crimes to initiate investigations and demand bribes from suspects to drop investigations.

    I am so sad to even go to the in-depth analysis of the decadence in the Nigerian Police Force because it will become boring, a street vendor can give adequate summary on the characteristics of Nigerian police and the danger it poses.

    According to Robert F Kenndy “Few will have the greatness to bend history itself, but each of us can work to change a small portion of events. It is from numberless diverse acts of courage and belief that human history is shaped. Each time a man stands up for an ideal, or acts to improve the lot of others, or strikes out against injustice, he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope, and crossing each other from a million different centres of energy and daring whose ripples build a current which can sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression and resistance”.

    I hope the Nigerian opposition groups; human right activists, labour unions and civil societies will come back to their senses of reasoning and understand that in any society, the hope of the people hinges on their ability to act according to the interest of the masses and not their own selfish interest.

    Rest in peace the NAN’s five. I just hope you don’t die for nothing.

    Egbeleke, is a masters student in development studies at the Institute of Social Studies of Erasmus University the Hague, Netherlands

     

     

  • VC condoles with NANS

    The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN), Prof Abdulganiyu Ambali, has commiserated with the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) and students on the death of five NANS officials, who died in a road crash last Thursday.

    The students’ leaders led by the NANS Senate President, Donald Onukaogu, were going to Uyo, Akwa Ibom State capital to mediate in crisis rocking the University of Uyo (UNIUYO) when the incident happened.

    Ambali spoke at the inauguration of the recently-elected Students’ Union Government (SUG) executive of the university held last Saturday in the school auditorium.

    The VC described the death of the students as unfortunate and a great loss to the nation.

    In his speech titled, Obey the rules, Ambali enjoined the union officers to obey the rules and regulations of the school, and carry out all their activities in accordance with the union constitution. This, he said, would require the executive to be disciplined, responsible, peaceful and cooperative, adding that great things would be achieved in a situation where people work together.

    “As long as you obey the rules and regulations of the university, you will always find us as partners in progress,” he noted.

    Ambali charged the union officials to continue to sustain the culture of peace and stability established in the university through the use of dialogue in addressing issues, stressing that students should not take law into their hands or engage in socially disruptive behaviour in advocating their interests.

    The VC also stressed the determination and commitment of his administration to ensure that students of the institution receive the best university education in the most conducive environment.

    The Dean of Students’ Affairs, Prof Omotesho, said his unit would continue to work with the leadership of the SUG to promote the mutual understanding between the school authority and the students’ body.

    The Dean said that the unit would organise a leadership workshop for the union leaders to orientate them on task ahead of them. He commended the outgoing executive led by Abdulmalik Aremu for recording successes during its tenure.

    Present at the event were the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academics), Prof Bayo Lawal, his Management and Research, Technology and Innovation counterparts, Prof Yisa Fakunle and Prof Felix Olawale, Bursar Mr Ayo Sijuola, and other principal officers of the school.

    The union is led by Ahmed Lawal. Other members include Modupe Hassan, Vice President, Kabir Jimoh, General Secretary, Timothy Orupe, Assistant General Secretary, Roland Ajetunmobi, Financial Secretary, Lukman Ayilara, Welfare Secretary, Olarenwaju Balogun, Public Relations Officers (PRO), Isiaq Akande, Sport Secretary, Ikhuemein Oyakhire, Social Secretary ans Kamil Akorede, PRO II.

    Members of the Students’ Representative Council (SRC) were also sworn in. The council is led by Mumeen Alawaye, Speaker while Olajide Taiwo, was elected the Deputy Speaker and Abiodun Ishowo, the Clerk.

    Ahmed thanked the university community and students, who he said have given him the opportunity to lead them. He stressed that his administration would not encourage corruption.

    In an interview with CAMPUSLIFE, Modupe solicited for support and cooperation of the students so that the union would improve on the successes recorded by its predecessor.

  • NANS auto crash: Police denies culpability

    Abia police command has denied being the cause of the auto crash that claimed the lives of the Senate President of the National Association of Nigeria Students (NANS), Donald Onukaogu, and four other officials of the union.

    Eye-witness account said the accident was caused by an alleged road block mounted by the police on the highway.

    The NANS officials were said to be on their way to Uyo to mediate in the crisis that engulfed the University of Uyo early last week over increase in some fees of some departments and transport fare for off campus students when their bus rammed into an oncoming truck at Ariam in Ikwuano LGA of Abia State.

    Speaking in a telephone interview, Commissioner of Police, Abia State, Usman Tilli Abubakar, denied that police road block caused the accident, saying that police did not mount any road block at any point on the road.

    Abubakar attributed the crash to bad road, explaining that according to the driver of the truck, with registration number Lagos XX 260 EKY,

    Nnamdi Onyekwelu, the driver of the NANS bus, was trying to avoid a serious pothole on the middle of the Umuahia/IkotEkpene Federal Highway when he collided with the truck which was also trying to negotiate a sharp bend.

    The truck driver, Onyekwelu, who is in his mid- 50’s, looked very nervous as he fielded questions from newsmen.

    According to him, the NANS driver veered into his lane while trying to avoid the pothole, adding that he could not have avoided the collision as any attempt to dodge the bus would have taken him into the nearby valley.

    Onyekwelu, a father of four said that the accident was his first experience in his many years of driving with a popular haulage company, Trans Tabans, adding that immediately after the crash, he laid confused on the road until his conductor ran away to invite the police.

     

  • UNIUYO: NANS Senate President, four others die on peace mission

    The crisis that led to the killing of four students of  University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom  and the subsequent closure of the institution has claimed the life of the Senate President of the National Association of Nigerian Students [NANS], Donald Onukaogu and four others in a  motor accident.
    Seven others survived with injuries in the accident which occurred at Ariam in Ikwuano local government area of Abia state along the Umuahia -Ikot Ekpene federal highway when the  Hiace bus the students were traveling collided with  a trailer  from Akwa Ibom state which lost control before ramming in to them.
    The students leaders were said to be on their way to Uyo to mediate in the crisis that erupted in the university two days ago.
    The corpses have been reportedly  deposited at the Federal Medical Centre, Umuahia mortuary, while the injured are receiving treatment.
    Sources at the Federal Medical Centre confirmed to our reporter that twelve persons were brought to the hospital after an accident with five confirmed dead and six in critical condition.
    Earlier, while conducting the governor round the doctor on duty at the casualty ward, Dr Kalu said that the accident victims were brought in that morning and were said to have had a head on collision with a lorry at Ikwuano on their way to Uyo, Akwa Ibom state.
    .s.
  • NANS honours Vice Chancellor

    NANS honours Vice Chancellor

    The Vice Chancellor of Anambra State University (ANSU), Prof Fidelis Okafor has faulted claims that the standard of education in the country has fallen.

    Okafor who spoke yesterday after he was conferred with a honourary live membership award by the National Association of Nigerian Student (NANS) said the country’s educational system is not as bad as being portrayed in most quarters.

    The Senate President of NANS, Mr Donald Onukaogu led the 67th senate of the association comprising of 225 Students Union Government presidents of federal and state institutions in Nigeria to bestow the award on Prof Okafor.

    Speaking at the Uli campus of the University, Okafor said, “I don’t accept that education standard in Nigeria is falling, is not as bad as people try to make it seem. If it is true that educational standard is that bad, how come students of ANSU from the Engineering Department went to London to compete with other universities of the world and came out tops?”

    He agreed however that there is need to make the standard of education in the country better, and that in doing so, the trio of the government, the schools managements and the students must be ready to do their part.

    “The government must first be ready to provide an atmosphere that is conducive for learning in Universities and also provide all the necessary infrastructure, the lecturers and schools managements must also be up and doing in discharging their functions and the students must be ready to sit down and learn.”

    Speaking earlier, Senate President Comrade Onukaogu said that other functionaries sat and deliberated on the award and concluded that none other than Prof Okafor was fit enough for the award.

    He said ,“Six years ago when we used to come here, the institution was more or less a glorified secondary school, but today Prof Okafor has been able to change the institution, erecting structures in both campuses of the university and also maintaining a friendly disposition with students.

    “We knew a time when this institution went for four or more years without Students Union election because of interference from management who seek to impose one person or the other, but today elections are held regularly. You have also provided qualitative health care services for students.”

    Onukaogu said that these and other achievement of the Vice Chancellor qualifies him to enter into the league of NANS live membership award, which already has only six members including Imo State governor, Rochas Okorocha and Prof Wole Soyinka as recipients.

    Reacting on behalf of the institution, acting Registrar, Evangelist Okwudilichukwu Okechukwu said that the honour is not only to the VC, but to all staff and students of ANSU. He said that coming from NANS; a body which continually stands against schools management, the award is heart-warming. He stated that he is not surprised because to students of the institution, the VC has remained ‘daddy’.