A final year student of law was at the weekend shot dead with many others injured in Bayelsa State following a bloody clash that broke out in an election organised by the National Association of Nigerian Students ( NANS ).
It was gathered that the election, which was held in Otuoke, the hometown of former President Goodluck Jonathan, snowballed into a cult war as students fight with assorted rifles, machetes and other weapons.
Details soon…
The National Association of Nigerian Students ( NANS ) has issued a 24-hour ultimatum to the management, Petroleum Training Institute ( PTI ), Effurun, Delta, to reverse the increase in the school’s tuition fee.
NANS’ President, Mr Chinonso Obasi, in a statement on Monday in Abuja, said that new tuition fee as officially released by the school management was adverse; hence it would be resisted by Nigerian students.
PTI recently released its approved schedule of charges for 2017/2018 academic year with tuition fee of old students increased from N26, 000 to N81, 000 and that of new students from N43, 000 to N91, 000.
Obasi said that though the Nigerian economy was not at its best times, students should not be exploited.
“Four years ago when I graduated in the same institute, the tuition fee was N14, 000 and it is so embarrassing to see a new official fee of N81,000 and N91,000 respectively for old and new students.
“We understand that times are hard and the Nigerian economy is not stable, that notwithstanding, Nigerian students must not be used as a means of increasing internal generated revenue (IGR).
“The Act establishing PTI is exceptionally different from other conventional tertiary institutions in Nigeria.
“ PTI is a special institution whose mandate is to train specialised technicians to meet global competition in the oil and gas industry.’’
He said that foreign training which the Petroleum Technology Development Fund ( PTDF ) and Tertiary Education Trust Fund ( TETFund ), sponsor with millions of dollars could be done by PTI.
Obasi said that NANS would partner with PTI’s management to take advantage of the President Muhammadu Buhari’s anti-corruption strides and tackle the problem of abandoned projects in the institution.
He said that the factors that led to infrastructural decay, lack of adequate training of teachers and poor funding of the institute should be exposed instead of exploiting students.
“NANS urges President Muhammadu Buhari, as the Minister of Petroleum, who supervises PTI to advice the institution’s management to unconditionally reverse the tuition fee schedule within 24hrs or face mass action from NANS,’’ Obasi said.
NAN
The National Association of Nigerian Students ( NANS ) has called for immediate suspension of those suspected of complicity in reinstating Mr Abdulrasheed Maina, former Chairman of Pension Task Team, into civil service.
NANS’s President, Chinonso Obasi, in a statement on Sunday in Abuja, said that suspending suspected accomplices in the case would ensure credible probe of the scandal.
Maina was in 2012 accused of misappropriating N100 billion pension funds while he headed the Presidential Task Force on Pension Reforms, an assignment given to him by former President Goodluck Jonathan.
While investigation was being conducted on the allegation, he deserted his job as a Deputy Director in the Ministry of Interior, and disappeared from the country.
He was declared wanted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission ( EFCC ) and the Police, and was dismissed from service.
But Maina resurfaced in the country few months ago and was reinstated in service and deployed back to Ministry of Interior as acting Director.
This development drew the flak of President Muhammadu Buhari, who ordered immediate disengagement of the officer from public service, and demanded report on the issue from the Head of Service of the Federation.
However, Maina is believed to have escaped from the country again.
Obasi said that revelations emanating from government circles, particularly in respect to breaches of service rules, insubordination, allegations and counter-allegations on act bordering, were embarrassing.
He said that Buhari was elected to clear Nigeria of corruption and impunity, hence a case of such magnitude should not be trivialised.
He said, “Just recently, a mind-boggling revelation was made of how Maina was smuggled back to the civil service after almost five years of absconding.
“The elevation of Maina from Deputy Director to Director with evidence of official exchange of correspondence amongst government officials is nothing but attempt to ridicule the public image and psyche of Nigerians and the civil service system.
“As advocates of sane and corrupt-free Nigeria, we make bold to ask President Muhammadu Buhari to swiftly suspend all heads of commission, extra-ministerial departments and ministries involved in this sour saga.
“The Head of Service of the Federation, and the Chairman of Federal Civil Service Commission deserve nothing but immediate suspension from office and probe for allowing themselves to be caught in this web of professional misconduct.’’
The NANS president said that it had become imperative for Buhari to rid his administration of those who were making mockery of his commitment to fight corruption.
He said that the police and ant-graft agencies should do all they could to bring Maina to answer to the allegations against him and shed light on how and why he returned to the civil service after absconding for over four years.
“We insist that same measures taken by the presidency in the cases involving the suspended Secretary to the Government of the Federation and the Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency be meted out to everyone involved in `Mainagate’.
“This case should be diligently probed and prosecuted and the report should not be swept under the carpet.
“To this end, we hereby issue a seven-day ultimatum to the Federal Government to act and do so with the highest sense of sincerity regardless of those involved and their closeness to the corridors of power,’’ he said.
Obasi said that if no action was taken at the expiration of the ultimatum, Nigerian students would be left with no option than to organise a nationwide mass action.
NAN
The National Association of Nigerian Students ( NANS ), on Thursday applauded Otunba Gani Adams over his appointment as the Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yoruba nation by the Alaafin of Oyo.
The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, confirmed the choice of Adams for the title on Sunday during his 79th birthday celebration.
Aare Ona Kakanfo in the pre-colonial Yoruba history was a supreme military title conferred by the Alaafin of Oyo.
The NANS’ National Public Relations Officer (PRO), Mr Bestman Okereafor, gave the commendation in a statement issued in Enugu.
Okereafor, however, called on the new Aare Ona Kakanfo to see this sacred position as a clarion call to service in the defence of the fundamental rights of the Yorubas.
He said the title was also a call to uphold the rich cultural heritage and inheritance of the Yoruba nation, without any fear of favouritsm or nepotism which might be caused by political interference.
“The leadership of NANS, under the leadership of Comrade Aruna Kadiri, heartily congratulates and felicitates with Otunba Gani Adams on his emergence as the new Are Ona Kakanfo of Yoruba nation.
“NANS wishes to specially commend Iku Baba Yeye, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III, the Alaafin of Oyo for the critical decision.
‘’We believe that the decision, no doubt, has been taken purposely for the total emancipation and revival of the Yoruba culture and in defence of the Yoruba nation’s rights.
“This is indeed a progressive, one coming after 19 years of the demise of the former Are Ona Kakanfo, the late Chief M.K.O. Abiola,’’ he said.
He said the late Chief Ladoke Akintola and the late Chief M.K.O. Abiola were the last two personalities to occupy the powerful Yoruba traditional position, in recent time in history.
Adams, 47, has 52 chieftaincy titles to his credit so far in the country.
The Aare Ona Kakanfo title was held last by the late Abiola, the acclaimed winner of the June 12, 1993 Presidential Election, who died in 1998.
NAN
The National Association of Nigerian Students ( NANS ) has commended the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board ( JAMB ) for remitting the sum of N5 billion to the coffers of the Federal Government.
NANS’ President, Mr Chinonso Obasi, in a statement on Sunday in Abuja, said such remittance from JAMB within a short period under the leadership of Prof. Is-haq Oloyede showed a great deal of probity.
Obasi said that he was in support of the Federal Government’s move to probe the former administrations of JAMB and the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency ( NIMASA ).
He urged the Federal Government to extend the probe to other agencies.
The Federal Executive Council, FEC, presided by President Muhammadu Buhari recently ordered the probe of past heads of JAMB and NIMASA over poor remittances in the past.
The Minister of Finance, Mrs Kemi Adeosun, told the FEC that JAMB for the first time remitted N5 billion to the government with a balance of N3 billion still to be remitted.
She said it was a big difference when compared to maximum N3 million per annum remitted in the past.
Obasi said that the remittance of such amount from a non-focal revenue generating agency of government underscored the importance of transparency in the administration and management of government business.
“The development is highly commendable and all heads of Federal Government agencies and parastatals should emulate the registrar of JAMB.
“I urge President Buhari to beam his eagle eyes on all other agencies of the Federal Government to ensure that all loopholes that encourage corrupt practices are prevented and blocked.
“Corruption is evil and the worst thing that can happen to a country in dire need of financial resources for development.
“I wonder why any right thinking person would choose to abuse public trust bestowed on him by engaging in corrupt practices, stealing public funds that can used in addressing other development challenges,’’ he said.
Obasi called on Nigerians occupying public offices to endeavour to be responsible and patriotic in the management of government businesses.
He reiterated his call for the inclusion of the association in anti-corruption fight in order to stamp out the scourge and channel resources to critical needs of national development.
He said that the association would reach out to Federal Government agencies with a view to fostering interaction and building leadership capacity for Nigerian students.
The National Association of Nigerian Students ( NANS ) on Thursday urged Federal Government and Non-Academic Staff Union of Universities ( NASU ) to shift ground for industrial harmony.
NASU National President Kadiri Aruna made the appeal in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria ( NAN ) in Enugu.
NAN reports that NASU’s members and Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities ( SSANU ) had been on strike for past three weeks over certain demands.
Aruna said that the strike which was called off by Academic Staff Union of Universities ( ASUU ) early this week would not make much impact if NASU remained on strike.
He, however, said that NANS would engage the Federal Government as well as the leadership of NASU and SSANU to look to the plight of students and find a way to resolve issues.
“As a matter of fact, by next week we are going to write officially to Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Education, NASU, SSANU and other stakeholders in tertiary education sector for them to consider Nigerian students.
“The recent call-off of strike by ASUU will not make an impact if the non-academic staff members of universities are not working.
“The strike of non-academic staff of universities means that the campuses, although opened, but cannot function normal,’’ he said.
Aruna, however, urged students to return to campuses and resume classes in order to meet up and cover the academic activities for the session.
“We want our members, Nigerian students, to resume lectures forthwith in order to show our commitment to learning and appreciate lecturers that had resumed classes,’’ he said.
The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has condemned the recent downward review of cut-off marks for admission into tertiary institutions.
The President of NANS, Mr Chinonso Obasi in a statement on Thursday in Abuja, said that such downward review of cut-off marks would encourage indolence among candidates.
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) had at a stakeholders’ meeting on Aug. 22, reviewed downward the cut-off marks for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
The minimum cut off marks for admissions into universities was fixed at 120; polytechnics and colleges of education pegged at 100, while that of innovative enterprising institutes was fixed at 110.
The stakeholders said that institutions were at liberty to raise their cut off marks for admission above the minimum set by JAMB.
Obasi, however, argued that knowledge acquisition was a function of determination and hard work, adding aspiring students should not be encouraged to relapse into laziness.
“If over the years, students were able to work hard to meet cut off points, it does not make any logical sense to now lower the standard.
“The inability of any student to meet the cut-off points is a function of outright indolence that should not be encouraged.
“The general impression is that Nigerian graduates are not employable; therefore, lowering of standard will translate to a disastrous outcome in the future by churning out young people who cannot fit into the demands and expectations of the 21st century.
“Nigerian youths are intelligent and willing to learn but because of the enabling environment provided by tertiary institutions abroad, Nigerian students who attend school abroad always break records,’’ he said.
Obasi said that the 21st Century was driven by innovation and competitiveness, adding that lowering the entering level into tertiary institutions would kill young peoples’ zeal to step up performance.
The NANS president said that the challenges of the tertiary institutions in Nigeria were beyond the prospects of gaining admission.
He listed some of the challenges facing higher education as lack of modern day teaching facilities, low level of morale by the teaching staff, lack of adequate facilities and lack of enabling environment for effective learning.
Obasi urged concerned authorities to conduct a comparative study and analysis of policies from other climes that support functional learning in order to produce young people who would be globally competitive.
The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has called on the Federal Government to look into the plight of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to avert the indefinite strike.
Mr Chinonso Obasi, National President, NANS made the call in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja on Monday.
“It is with deep pain and regret that NANS received the news of another indefinite strike by ASUU over the Federal Government’s indifference to their plight.
“Nigerian students sees the break down in negotiations as a further proof that political leaders don’t care about their future.
“Consequently, we wish to call on the Federal Government to do all it can to get ASUU back to the classrooms.
“The demands of ASUU are reasonable and touch on the integrity of government, especially in the light of the fight against corruption,” he said.
According to him, NANS finds it hard to believe that past governments would fail to honour agreements with members of ASUU for more than seven years.
Obasi, however, said the association in the light of the foregoing gave the Federal Government 21 days to resolve outstanding issues with ASUU in the interest of longsuffering Nigerian students.
He explained that the students would be forced to bear the brunt of the break down in the negotiation between the union and the government.
He added that NANS would be meeting in the coming week with leaders of ASUU to find out their irreducible minimum in their demands.
He threatened that if by the expiration of 21days ultimatum, the issue was not resolved, Nigerian students would be forced to ground activities in the country.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that ASUU on Monday officially announced the commencement of its nationwide industrial actions at a news conference held in Abuja.
The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has expressed displeasure over the bombing of University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID), Borno State, by the Boko Haram.
The association blamed the federal government for its slow action on the bombings of the university.
The NANS President, Mr Chinonso Obasi, said this when addressing reporters on the state of the nation in Abuja on Wednesday.
Obasi said the association had raised a committee on the northeast which was discreetly making investigation into the bombings.
He said: “The remaining Chibok girls still in terrorists’ captivity are also part of Nigerian students. It is unfortunate that the government has not taken any drastic measure on UNIMAID.
“They have not shown action in securing lives and property. The government only sends condolences. NANS is about to take a decision and it is a decision that will not favour the government.
“We have a committee which we constituted on the northeast but we did not bother to make it open. We do not want it public so that those against the interests of Nigerian students will not truncate our decisions.
“We have also encouraged our students to be vigilant. We have carried out some safety measures lectures. We do not depend on the government, but we can tell the government what we want.”
The NANS president said the association had lent support to the anti-corruption campaign of the Federal Government by exposing some vice chancellors who mismanaged the funds allocated to their universities.
The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) will resist plans by some tertiary institutions to increase tuition fees, its President, Mr Chinonso Obasi has said.
Obasi, in a statement he issued on Wednesday in Abuja, said that NANS had received the report that no fewer than 38 tertiary institutions had concluded plans to jack up tuition fees.
The NANS president said that the association was pained by the move as Nigerian students had over the years been made to bear the brunt of administrative ineptitude of managers of tertiary institutions.
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) had on Monday alerted Nigerians to the increase of tuition fees by 38 universities due to poor funding by the federal and state governments.
“In saner climes, education funding includes revenue from researches and consultative collaborations.
“Implementat0ion of UNESCO strategies, particularly commercialising research findings should occupy Nigeria educational institutions rather than constant hike in tuition fees payable by hapless students.
“However NANS believes that the planned hike in tuition fees would be the last straw that would break the cycle of obnoxious levy on learning and pursuit of education.’’
He regretted that the APC-led administration had not showed enough commitment to improving the education sector and the plight of students.
Obasi said that the students were made to study under poor conditions in spite their positive contributions to the success of the administration’s key policies and programmes, such as the fight against corruption, maintenance of peace and unity of the country.
He said that Nigerian students did not deserve such harsh punishment as fee increase would further limit the capacity of students to dream of a better future.
“Consequently NANS wishes to serve notice to the authorities concerned that Nigerian students will never endure any increase in tuition at this time of the nation’s socio-economic challenges.
“If administrators of Nigeria’s educational institutions have run out of ideas of funding and sustaining educational institutions in the country, they should feel free to liaise with students to explore new ways of funding the institutions.
“While we express our readiness to dialogue with chief executives of tertiary institutions, NANS wishes to reiterate the fact that Nigerian students have been patient with the President Muhammadu Buhari administration.
“The President Buhari administration should recognise that this is time to reward the understanding and cooperation of Nigerian students with education subsidy, proper funding of education and adequate welfare initiatives for students,’’ he said.
Obasi called on well-meaning individuals and stakeholders to hasten and find lasting solutions to the deplorable condition of the education sector in the country.