The Nation Newspaper

Tag: National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS)

  • NLC decry decay in education sector, wants improved funding

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) on Monday joined Nigerian student to protest against the continued decay in the nation’s educational system, lamenting that the fight for a better educational system has been left for too long for the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU)

    NLC’s Head of International Relation and National Assembly Liason, Comrade Uche Ekwe who stood in for the President of Congress, Comrade Ayuba Wabba said it was unfortunate that education budget has continued on the downward trend in the past twenty years while the country was still far from the 26 percent recommended by UNESCO for education funding.

    While commending Nigerian students for the initiative, Comrade Ekwe said the country national budget in the last 20 years has fallen short of UNESCO standard.

    He said “In the past, Nigerian students have not organised themselves in this manner. The campaign which is to save education is apt, adding that for the past 20 years, our National budget has not met the international requirements as recommended by UNESCO that at least 26% of its annual budget should be for education.

    “But we have not gone beyond 12% and in implementation, we have not gone up to 7% and this struggle has been left for ASUU alone for a very long time. Other Nigerians now felt that ASUU are trouble people. But because they are in the education sector, they know the damage and the danger of what is going on and the longer they leave this, the more decay you have in the sector both in terms of infrastructure and manpower.

    “The student as the composition of NANS is a strategic part of the labour movement for several reasons. They are huge body of the young people and very important of the future of every country, also they are the children of the working people.

    “We have maintained that more funding should be channel to the education sector and our  affiliate, ASUU have done a deep research papers about sourcing of raising this fund, so am advising government to work at those document from ASUU and ensure they have the political will to implement”.

    President of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) Comrade Bamidele Akpan lamented the dilapidated structures in the nation universities, adding that this has affected the quality of students been turned out by the Institutions.

    Read Also: NLC dares governors over N30,000 minimum wage

    He said: “If you go to our campuses, what you see is dilapidated structures. The International community sees our educational system as one who dished out certificate to people who don’t merit it. Lack of Laboratories, lack of libraries, lack of basic amenities. And yet we have leaders who enjoyed free and compulsory education and even complained to us that when they were in school, they had free education, they had hostel accommodations, and were even fed with chicken and fish, that to some extent they wanted to protest of being fed”.

    Some of the placards carried by the students read in parts” Stop commercializing education, “FG  attend to ASUU and COEASU now, “Our lectures halls are similar to bakery oven, FG should meet up their agreement with COAESU,

    Others are “No Nation can survive without good education, 26 percent UNESCO standard now or nothing, adhere to UNESCO budgetary recomendation on education, education is our right, don’t mortgage our future”.

  • NANS to embark on nationwide assessment tour of tertiary institutions

    The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) said on Friday that it would soon embark on a nationwide assessment tour of tertiary institutions in the country.

    The National President, NANS, Danielson Bamidele, disclosed this in an interview  in Abuja on Friday.

    Bamidele said that the tour became necessary in view of the poor state of infrastructure in tertiary institutions across the country.

    “We feel that government needs to do more.

    “In fact we are going to embark on campus tour to document all those dilapidated structures that TETFund has failed to do with the huge sum of money given to them over the years.

    “We are documenting all those things. We have a committee working on it  headed by myself, we are going to move round and ascertain all these things and even present it for you to see that  the state of structures of our campuses are quite dilapidated.

    “With Kick backs here and there, people give with one hand and collect with left hand,  until we meet  with TETFund  and push this issues to them.

    “And maybe after our nationwide tour then we will be able to address properly,’’ he said.

    On the increase of tuition fees by some tertiary institutions, Bamidele urged the government to address the issue to reduce the burden already felt by parents and guardians.

    Read Also: University Professor commits suicide in Makurdi

    “If you go to the various institutions in this country you see tuition been increased from even N30 N35, 000 to as high as N250,000 to N300,000.

    “I give you example of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akumba Akoko, I will give you an example of University of Medical Sciences in Ondo town.

    “One just happened recently in Rivers states University of Science and Technology and it took our intervention to claim that they did not but that was what they were actually doing.

    “They even went as far as threatening some of our members until I was involved before they said they were not increasing and this is  something that has been persistent.,

    “And off course this is something we feel that the minimum wage that is been paid is not even enough even the one we are agitating that they should increase is not even enough to pay the school fees of a child and yet we have parents who have two three children in tertiary institutions.

    “What do you expect them to do? So we feel that t is outrageous and they should off course help us acquire education instead of making every frantic attempt to keep us in illiteracy,’’ he added.

    NAN

  • Delta: NANS kicks against poor budgetary allocation to education

    The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) Delta State, has blasted the Delta State Government over the paltry sum allocated to education in the proposed Delta State 2019 budget .
    The students’ body frowned at the disparity in the 8% budgetary allocation to education for 2019 as a against the recommended minimum 26% by UNESCO.
    The body urged the State Government to make basic and secondary education tuition free, in order to encourage students back to school and make good the future of Delta State.
     Dio Oghale Emeka Rex, Chairman, NANS /JCC Delta State made this known weekend in Asaba-Delta while on a courtesy visit to the leadership of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Delta State Council.

    Read Also: NGO provides educational support to girls in Kaduna

    Rex called for support to assist them amplify their demand for an upward review of the budgetary allocation proposed for education.
    According to Comrade Rex, “We want to passionately call the attention of NUJ Delta State chapter to our demand to the government of Delta State to review upwardly the percentage allocated to education in the 2019 budget and to introduce free education for basic and secondary school in Delta State. As you are all aware, the amount allocated to education in Delta State 2019 budget amounts to 8% of the total budget as against the 26% recommended by the UNESCO which is currently not good for our education sector. You will also agree with me that to promote education and to encourage students back to school, the government needs to make basic and secondary education tuition

  • NANS hails boxer Anthony Joshua’s victory

    The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) on Sunday congratulated the Nigeria-born boxer, Anthony Joshua, on his victory over the Russian Alexander Povetkin to retain his World Heavyweight titles.

    The NANS’ congratulatory message was contained in a statement titled: “Inspiration for All Nigerian Youths’’, signed by its National Public Relations Officer, Bestman Okereafo in Enugu.

    Joshua had on Saturday night defeated Povetkin through a Technical Knock Out (TKO) in the seventh round of the fight at the 80,000-capacity Wembley Stadium, London.

    With the victory, Joshua thus retained his WBA, IBF, WBO and IBO world heavyweight championship belts.

    The association attributed the victory to hard work and consistency, adding that Joshua remains a big source of inspiration to other Nigerian youths.

    Read Also: Video: Anthony Joshua knocks out Povetkin

    “Anthony Joshua had in series of times proved that you can be the best you want to be through hard work, dedication and focus.

    “Nigerian youths are proud of the great boxer and we will strive to emulate his virtues by putting Nigeria first in anything we are doing.

    “We say thank you for continuously making Nigeria proud,’’the statement reads.

    With the win, the 28-year-old boxer moved on to 22 fights unbeaten in his professional career.

    The successful bout also gave Joshua his 21st win by TKO.

    In April 2017, Joshua became a unified heavyweight world champion after he knocked out Ukrainian Wladimir Klitschko at the same Wembley Stadium.

    NAN

  • NANS congratulates Buhari on his emergence as ECOWAS chairman

    The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has congratulated President Muhammadu Buhari on his emergence as Chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

    The congratulatory message is in a statement signed by NANS’ National Public Relations Officer, Bestman Okereafor, on Wednesday in Enugu.

    Read Also:Find lasting solution to farmers, herders crisis – NANS tells FG

    Buhari emerged as ECOWAS chairman on Tuesday at the end of the commission’s meeting in Togo to replace Togolese President, Faure Gnassigbe.

    NANS, therefore, stated that it was joining West Africans and Nigerians in congratulating Buhari, stressing that “Nigerian students consider this as victory for all Nigerians.

    “We have no doubt that President Buhari will bring about positive changes in West African states. We believe he will promote freedom, equity and social justice, which will bring about the much-anticipated peaceful co-existence among member states.

    “Once again from all Nigerian students schooling both at home and in the Diaspora, we say congratulations to our beloved President, Muhammadu Buhari.”

    NAN

     

  • Invasion: Be role models NANS urges senators, others

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    NAN

  • Petroleum Summit: NANS commends Kachikwu

    Petroleum Summit: NANS commends Kachikwu

    The National Association of Nigerian Students ( NANS ) has commended Dr Ibe Kachikwu, the Minister of State for Petroleum, over Nigeria’s hosting of the International Petroleum Summit ( NIPS ).

    NANS President Chinonso Obasi said in a statement issued in Abuja that the hosting a summit of such magnitude for the first time was a good omen for the Nigerian economy.

    The theme of the maiden summit is “Deepening collaboration in the African Oil and Gas Industry: Challenges and Opportunities for Investment”.

    Obasi said he considered it a unique opportunity to woo investors to Nigeria and Africa’s oil and gas sector.

    “In the past, most Nigerian energy and petroleum industry players spent huge foreign exchange to attend the popular Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) in Houston, U.S.

    “Today, Kachikwu has changed the narrative by conceptualising and hosting the new Nigeria OTC, that seeks to bring investors and players in the sector to Africa for the first time.

    “I will also like to acknowledge the Minister of State for the opportunity given to NANS to be part of the unique event.”

    He said he believed the opportunity provided by the summit would foster greatness for the Nigerian petroleum sector.

    Kachikwu, had earlier at a break-out session of the summit on Monday, said that multinational oil firms would soon stop shipping out the crude oil they produced in Nigeria.

    According to him, the government is planning to put in place frameworks for multinational oil and gas firms to build refineries in Nigeria, thereby processing a substantial amount of crude produced from its oil fields.

    “We will get to a point where Nigeria, definitely, would be a major supplier of refined petroleum products.

    “It just has to happen. Nothing else makes sense. We are also saying directly to oil companies that a time would also come when we would not be open to see them move around all the crude oil they produce in Nigeria.

    “We will like to see integrated refining and integrated processing here. It gives us more jobs and creates more investments,” Kachikwu said.

    NAN

  • NANS urges FG to invest more on education

    NANS urges FG to invest more on education

    …Hails FUOYE’s VC on infrastructural development

    The National Association of Nigerian Students ( NANS ) has called on the Federal Government to provide adequate funding for the education sector.

    The National Public Relations Officer of the student body, Comrade Odebunmi Idowu made the appeal in a statement on Sunday in Abuja.

    His appeal comes in wake of the government’s plan to declare an emergency in the sector in April.

    Idowu noted that no nation can develop without paying adequate attention to its education, adding that as a nation, Nigeria must begin to give priority to the sector.

    “We cannot afford to continue to do the same thing and expect a different result. No nation can progress with such mindset. We need to put efforts together to move the nation’s education sector forward,” he said. 

    He commended the Vice Chancellor, Federal University, Oye-Ekiti, Prof. Kayode Soremekun, over the massive infrastructural development going on at the university. 

    Idowu said that NANS observed during its assessment tour of the institution that Prof. Soremekun had credibly acquitted himself in running the affairs of the university.

    He said: “We need to put efforts together to move the nation’s education sector forward. 

    “As custodians of Nigerian students, the National Association of Nigerian Students wishes to use this press release to sound a warning to some bad eggs trying to sabotage the VC’s effort in making the university great. 

    “We took this position after an on-the-spot assessment of the university. NANS commends Prof. Soremekun for the rapid pace of evident development to meet the felt needs of the university and Ekiti community and Nigeria by extension through the training of well-rounded graduates to innovatively meet specific industry/market place needs.

    “We want to use this opportunity to call on other administrators of academic institutions in the country to glean invaluable lessons from the disciplined, dedicated and transparent manner which the Vice Chancellor has administered the affairs of the institution.”

    He appealed to the federal government to release more funds to the institution for further projects. 

    Idowu urged other administrators of academic institutions in the country to emulate the disciplined, dedicated and transparent manner which Prof. Soremekun is using to administer the affairs of the university. 

    “We want to use this opportunity to call on other administrators of academic institutions in the country to glean invaluable lessons from the disciplined, dedicated and transparent manner which the Vice Chancellor has administered the affairs of the institution. 

    “If all administrators of our universities follow the steps of Prof. Soremekun, our universities would be a reference point in Africa and globally. We encourage other VCs to copy the good development strides going on at FUOYE and ensure they replicate same at their institutions,” he added.

  • Help hospitalised first class graduate- NANS

    Help hospitalised first class graduate- NANS

    The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has called for financial support for a hospitalised first class graduate of Micheal Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike (MOUAU), Mr Emeka Ejike (23).

    Mr Chinonso Obasi, the National President of NANS, in a statement on Thursday made the appeal after a visit to Ejike at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), Ituku/Ozalla, Enugu.

    He said the assistance could come from public spirited Nigerians, corporate organisations and government at all levels, adding that student needed N4 million to facilitate Grade-1 surgery.

    According to him, Ejike graduated from the Department of Biochemistry with registration number MOUAU/12/25585.

    The NANS president said that Ejike’s ordeal started during the mobilisation for mandatory National Youth Service Corps where he had an accident on Nov. 20.

    Obasi said the accident happened at Azia near Ihiala in Anambra while Ejike was on his way to Lagos for his NYSC programme.

    “Following the accident, he was rushed to St. Mary’s Hospital, Ihiala where he received his first aid treatment.

    “After the first aid, he was thereafter transferred to Federal Medical Centre, Umuahia for further medical examination and treatment.

    “Consequently, he was again referred to the UNTH, Ituku/Ozalla on Nov. 24 at about 7p.m., where he was received by Dr Chikeani Iloabuchie with hospital number (833255) into the Neurosurgery Ward.

    “His clinical history revealed that he looked healthy with no observed distress but was unable to move the limbs and arms; hence a radiological scan was recommended,’’ the NANS leader said.

    “For any financial assistance, you can make payments in favour of his father’s Bank Account as stated: UBA PLC, OKORO KINGSLEY EJIKE, 2025822373.

    “You can also contact the management of UNTH, Ituku- Ozalla for further enquiries.

    “We anticipate your kind support in saving the life of an exceptional Nigerian future leader in this time of uncertainty. May God bless us all.’’

  • IYC condemns killing, violence in NANS election

    IYC condemns killing, violence in NANS election

    The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide, Tuesday, condemned in strong terms, the killing of a final year law student in Otuoke, Bayelsa State, during the Zone B election of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS).

    The victim, Magam Elvis, a student of the University of Uyo (UNIUYO) was shot dead by suspected rival cultists, who came as delegates for the election that was held at the premises of the Federal University of Otuoke (FUO).

    Other victims sustained various degrees of injuries as rival cult groups engaged in a supremacy battle wielding guns, machetes, axes and other weapons.

    The Commissioner of Police, Mr. Asuquo Amba, arrested some of the suspects with arms including the Bayelsa State President of NANS, Mr. Perewari Benjamin and vowed to prosecute them.

    But the Chairman of IYC, Central Zone, Mr. Tari Porri, said the council would not allow anybody to destabilise the existing peace in the zone, which covers Bayelsa and parts of Rivers State.

    Porri, who frowned on the trend of students bearing arms in the name of cultism, described the violence in the NANS election as an aberration and embarrassment to the real essence of education.

    He said: “The IYC under my leadership in this zone will not tolerate activities relating to cult wars or inter-communal crisis. We will not tolerate anybody coming to disturb the already existing peace in the state.

    “If anyone is found wanting, we will mobilise the entire law-abiding Ijaw youths against the person. Youths should be law-abiding. They should not partake in organisations that will not bring honour to the state or organisation that will bring disrepute to the ijawland”.

    While advising the youths to identify with meaningful ventures that would bring joy and progress to the Ijaw nation, Porri, said no election was worth the life of any youth.

    “We are appealing to the entire youths in the central zone to be law-abiding and to be serious with their lives instead of engaging in vices that will destroy them.

    “Look at a young man who was just killed, a promising young man, a law student from the university of Uyo. The gains and aspirations of that young man had been cut short”, he said.

    Porri wondered the fate of the country where an organisation like NANS hitherto reputable for moulding talents and careers of youths had become a safe haven for criminals and cultists.

    He said: “We were all parts of NANS. When we were playing active NANS politics, we would shout and scatter things but you would never see a student beating and slapping another student much less handling weapons to kill.

    “This time around, young boys of 15 to 20 years will be moving about with guns. Some persons were also arrested because guns were found in their vehicles.  We say no to this because it is an aberration.

    “As the leader of Ijaw youth central zone, I appeal to students to stay clear of cultism and other activities that will destroy them and bring disrepute to the Ijaw nation”.