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Tag: National Association of Nigerian Students

  • NANS lauds PRO, Police Command over international award

    The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has lauded DSP Abimbola Oyeyemi, Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Ogun for the recent international award and recognition as “Best Police PRO in Nigeria.’’

    The award was presented recently at the 15th Conference of Security Watch Africa held on Nov. 15 in Banjul, Gambia.

    NANS National Public Relations Officer, Mr Bestman Okereafor, made the commendation in a statement on Monday in Enugu.

    According to Okereafor, NANS joins lovers of security in congratulating a hardworking and dedicated Police Public Relations Officer, Ogun, DSP Abimbola Oyeyemi.

    Read Also: FRSC, NADDC chiefs, others for auto awards

    “This award is a victory to us all who are looking forward for a reformed and effective Nigeria Police.

    “We say big congratulations to Nigeria Police, Ogun Command under the leadership of Mr Ahmed Iliyasu and the command’s Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC).

    According to NANS, the great achievement had been made possible through collective efforts.

    “NANS is imploring Nigerians,specifically residents of Ogun to remain peaceful as well as steadfast in dissemination of information to the police and other security agencies.’’

    NAN

  • NANS splits as group returns to NUNS

    The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has split.

    The splinter group has returned to the defunct National Union of Nigerian Students (NUNS).

    NUNS, proscribed by the Federal Military Government led by Gen. Olusegun Obasanjo in April 1978, was resuscitated after the election of its national executives at the Kaduna Polytechnic at the weekend.

    The executives are led by Comrade Salaudeen Lukman, a student of Geology and Mineral Science from Kwara State University, Malete, Ilorin.

    Others are: Faruk Isah, vice- president, National Affairs, Ladoke Akintola University, Ogbomosho; Abdulazeez Musa Alhassan, vice-president, External Affairs; Abdulazeez Musa Alhassan from Bayero University Kano; Okonkwo Collins, vice-president, Special Duties Uni Uli, Anambra State and Odugbemi Olohunfemi Ojotina, public relations officer, Kogi State University, among others.

    Addressing reporters after their emergency meeting, the President of Second Republic NUNS, Comrade Lukman, said: “NUNS is a child of necessity to salvage a recurring problem of loss of ideology, political hijack, display of hooliganism/thuggery and mass domination of non-students in the existing apex students’ body, hence we shall not deviate from the core values and principle of operation in constructive alutarism with diplomacy.”

  • Why Nigerians can’t trust David Mark as President – ex-SUG leader

    Former National President of the National Association of Nigerian Students and Senatorial aspirant for Benue South Senatorial district, Daniel Onjeh said Thursday that Nigerians should not take former Senate President, Senator Davis Mark serious in his bid to be President of the country.

    Onjeh who spoke with newsmen after obtaining his nomination form in Abuja said the former Senate President failed woefully as Senate President and can therefore not be trusted with the mandate to lead the country.

    Read Also:DAVID Mark to EFCC on N748m house: you’re chasing shadows P5

    He said further that after serving in the hallowed chamber of the National Assembly for a long time, Mark was a monumental failure to the people of Benue South throughout his stay in the senate.

    He said: “Well, ideally it would be appropriate to support one from your home town particularly for the position of President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. It is and exalted office every ethnic group or tribe would want to have his/her own occupy. But unfortunately in my own view, he does not deserve the support because, he has been given the responsibility before and he failed.

    “David Mark was a monumental failure to the entire Benue South people. Like they say, charity begins at home. He practically made the Senate his permanent abode. He has been there twice as an ordinary senator and twice as a sitting senate president.

    “When he was a sitting senator under Goodluck Jonathan, one would be correct to say he was a defacto- President in the Country. He had everything at his disposal to effect the change you expect to see in this nation particularly with respect with Benue South people.

    “He talked about addressing the poverty issues in the country within 2 years. He was there as a sitting senator and a defacto-president of Nigeria, and his people were living in abject poverty and deprivation and the length of his stay is not commensurate with the level of development on ground in Benue South because there no molecule of development in Benue South.

    “Infact Benue South has been completely disconnected from the federal government. The dividends of democracy which ought to have come through the same man who wants to run for election today is not there.

    “Apart from the deplorable State of Benue South, I want to talk about the security angle which he promised to address within the shortest possible time while boasting of his military background, and experience.

    “One would have expected that he brought that to bear before the Goodluck Jonathan administration to address series of security issues we had in the Country, ranging from Book Haram to Kidnapping, Herdsmen/ farmers clash that we had in Agatu, a very notorious one for that matter at the time they were in Government.

    “Agatu people were attacked at will, several lives were lost, lives were lost in Agatu than we have under this administration but that was right under the nose of the same man who is claiming to provide security for the nation who was a sitting senator.

    “People died in Agatu and we didn’t hear remark or any major statement in condemnation of the attack of Agatu people or an attempt to proffer solution to the security challenges that we had in Agatu.

    “Agatu is one of the local government areas we have in Benue South and of course, we are all aware of what transpired in the killings that took place in Agatu where several homes were destroyed and people were displaced and as I speak with you, we still have remnants of IDPs in that environment.

    “This is a man who couldn’t attend to the immediate security challenges of a zone in a State. I am not sure if he has the capacity to handle the challenges in the country.

    “He also mentioned the issue of restructuring and I think he just brought into the cliché of restructuring. Of course, it is a good thing, but he was also a sitting senator for 8years. He could have as well moved for it. So, I believe that is their usual way to hoodwink their way to the people and making them believe that they are building bridges for them where there are no rivers.

    “For Senator David Mark, perhaps he would live up to his promise if he is given the opportunity of fulfilling the promise of restructuring they same way he fulfill the promise he made to the people of Benue South people that he was going to create an Apa- State for them when he was the Senate President and indeed we all know we have an APA State in Nigeria, so we have 37 States in Nigeria.”

     

     

  • NANS suspend award for politicians, others

    ….Says the country’s educational system needs swift, immediate action

     

    The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has suspended the conferment of awards on politicians, private and public organizations or institutions.

    The student body said it took the decision in order to reorganize the processes leading to the recognition of awardees.

    NANS President, Danielson Akpan, who disclosed this at the inauguration of new executive members of the association, said the ban was with immediate effect.

    He said: “The National Association of Nigerian Students have today suspended all awards in whatever form to politicians, organizations and others. This suspension is with immediate effect.

    “I have placed embargo on all forms of awards till we get it right as an association.

    “I will like to tell the politicians that there is a new sheriff in town.”

    Read Also: NANS condemns attack

    Akpan, in his inaugural speech, said the state of the country’s educational system called for immediate, bold and swift action.

    He assured that the student body would not only pressure the government to improve learning conditions but to ensure that government and relevant stakeholders came together to lay a new foundation academic excellence.

    Akpan said: “The task before us is enormous but surmountable. There is work to be done. The state of our educational system calls for immediate action, bold and swift. And we will act, not only to pressure government to improve learning conditions, but to ensure that government and relevant stakeholders come together to lay a new foundation for academic excellence that will transform our schools, colleges of educations, polytechnics and universities to meet the demands of a new age.

    “There is a need for a new vision and paradigm of higher education, calling for major changes in policies, practices, means of service deliveries and linkages with local and global institutions.”

  • NANS convention: Between fact and fiction

    Genuine students have really been pained that, over the years, some so-called stakeholders (non students) took it upon themselves to always choose or select the leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) for students. This had been the culture for many years. Bonafide students never had a say in who became the NANS president and other officers.

    The just-concluded convention was tailored to toe a similar path. For the avoidance of doubt, before the convention proper, some of the members of the convention were bribed and they sent their thugs after Gideon Obande, a top contender from the Nasarawa State University, Keffi (NSUK), and he sustained injury on his face for no reason.

    It is worrisome that the election that was to be conducted on Saturday July 7, 2018, was delayed by some already compromised convention members until Tuesday July 10, 2018. By then, most of the real delegates (presidents of the Students’ Unions Government) that were to vote at the convention faced logistics challenges and needed to return to their respective school.

    Gideon was left at the mercy of a compromised convention organising body that was mostly populated by non-students of  higher institutions in Nigeria. When the convention reconvened, the organising body accredited 272 delegates for voting. After the election, the votes turned itself to 275. Where did they get the additional three votes?

    In fact, some of the people accredited were not worthy to be called students based on the fact that they were thugs imported to rig the election. This made Gideon and members of his camp to pull out of the convention. Then, the legitimate delegates who found him worthy elected him as NANS president.

    It was when students at the convention were probing the additional votes and shouting “we no go gree” that Gideon pulled out of the election where the legitimate students voted him as their leader.

    It is very unfortunate that there were a lot of electoral frauds and irregularities on the just concluded convention. Gideon had no any other option than to pull out of the convention because there was no provision for taking any issues to the court of competent jurisdiction by the aggrieved parties based on the fact that NANS is not a registered organisation with Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC). It is just a pressure group that cannot sue and be sued.

    The outgoing Senate President of NANS, Comrade Taiwo Bamigbade from the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA) who had benefitted from a free, fair and credible election equally pulled out of the convention. He was the one who organised a fresh election where Gideon emerged as NANS president.

    We are aware that the so-called stakeholders will never allow NANS to have just one president because of their selfish interest. That was why they declared one Bamidele Danielson as their president.

    However, as a member of the Convention Planning Committee, I can authoritatively announce that students’ community in Nigeria has spoken with one voice. They have elected Gideon Obande as NANS president and nothing will change this fact. Whoever is parading himself as NANS president other than Gideon is an impostor who is being pushed by a group of discredited stakeholders who are using the name of NANS to curry political favour.

    I use this medium to say congratulations to Gideon Obande – the number-one student of Nigeria.

    • Ibrahim is the secretary of NANS Convention Planning Committee and a Post-graduate Building student, ABU, Zaria.

  • Plateau massacre: NANS condemns incessant killings, demands justice

    The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has condemned the recent killings in Plateau State in which Police confirmed 86 persons, including children dead on Sunday.

    A statement made available to newsmen on Friday in Abuja and signed by NANS Senate President, Mr Taiwo Bamigbade, urged the government to urgently arrest the situation.

    He expressed concern that brutal killing of human beings were becoming common in the country as value was no longer placed on human live.

    “NANS hereby condemns in totality the unceasing brutal killings of innocent citizens, including children, students and parents by suspected herdsmen in various parts of the country for selfish reasons.

    “Again, we state categorically that it is an aberration that since the heinous attacks began, no meaningful arrests and prosecutions have been recorded except to console the victims, which is the height of injustice and insensitivity.

    “To see helpless and innocent children and their parents massacred in cold blood as seen in Plateau State during the weekend is wicked and a great evil in the sight of God.”

    Read Also: U.S. condemns Plateau killings

    He, therefore, urged President Muhammadu Buhari to take urgent necessary measures to secure lives and properties, stressing that it was the primary purpose of government.

    Bamigbade, however, described the procurement of fighter helicopters by the Federal Government toward curtailing the menace of deadly attacks as a highly commendable proactive action.

    He also urged the president to rejig the security apparatus of the country for better results and demanded the arrest and prosecution of the perpetrators of the evil deeds.

    NANS Senate President further enjoined members of the public to always report any communal disputes and disagreements to security agencies for prompt action.

    He also urged all Nigerians to desist from hate speeches or playing dangerous politics.

    He charged the citizens to report community disputes to the Police rather than taking laws into their hands, to avoid retaliatory attacks.

    The Plateau Government has imposed dusk to dawn curfew on three communities of Barkin Ladi, Riyom and Jos South local government areas following the massive killings. 

    NAN

  • Honour for health exam board boss

    The hall was decorated with white and purple fabrics. It was also embellished by yellow balloons to accentuate what the recipient, and the organisation she represents stands for – timeless gold- cast by tenacity of purpose.

    The venue was the Hall of the Central Laboratory, Yaba Lagos. It was filled to its capacity.

    The people gathered to witness the presentation of Exemplary Leadership Excellence Award to the Registrar/CEO, West African Health Examination Board (WAHEB), Dr (Mrs) Gladys Ihunda as icon of humanitarian services by the executive of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS).

    WAHEB is the regulatory body in charge of Schools of Health Technology and Hygiene in Nigeria. WAHEB organises qualifying examinations for the schools.

    The award was instituted by the Executive of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), who equally added ‘Emblem of Retirement Wish’ to spice it up.

    Dr Ihunda said the award by NANS has propelled her to do more in sanitising the examination board-from lecturers to students, adding that the standard of integrity and quality will be maintained.

    According to Dr Ihunda, examination malpractice is difficult to comprehend and people involved in it should be bothered because “it is a big disease”.

    Dr Ihunda said: “When a student graduates and is given a certificate, it is given as a proof of being schooled.

    “I will not be tired of fighting examination malpractice, and maintaining the set excellent hallmark for which WAHEB is known.

    “I believe it is not quantity but quality students that should be awarded certificates that are merited through dint of hard work.”

    Dr Ihunda expressed her gratitude  to Almighty God who had seen her to such a level of receiving numerous unsolicited awards even in the face of many challenges.

    “This award came as I was experiencing big challenge in my life. But I thank God because God Himself fought my battle. All petitions written against me were withdrawn one after another. So, this Award has come to spur me into doing the right things. Glory is to His Wonderful name,” said Dr Ihunda.

    She advised that “tutors should be able to teach well. Non-defense of certificates by students is a slap to tutors.  There should never be any compromise in discharging responsibilities by health officers produced by WAHEB.

    “Tutors should always do their best by impacting the right knowledge in students because parents and guardians paid the tuition fees so that they can be taught. So, teach them well. No tutor should be found aiding or abetting in examination malpractice. We all need to stamp out examination malpractice so as to be globally relevant,” she said.

    The delegate of NANS led by Ibrahim Shehu Agboola said Dr Ihunda’s success in the leadership of WAHEB is as a result of her resolution to succeed because she was determined to.

    Agboola said: “She is rare and exceptional specie that has outstandingly showed that she is born with the capacity to teach and educate humanity.

    “NANS decided to give this award to encourage her good deeds. The recognition of your outstanding imprint on the sands of time will remain forever. We see you as a globally career builder who is thinking global. And locally you are an inspiring and committed mentor of our time.

    “Dr Ihunda is highly noted for her brilliant hard work, open door policy and humility to her subordinates. She exhibited honesty in handling the finances of the various offices by being firm, incorrupt, prudent, professional, transparent, simple and dedicated people’s servant. She detests, condemns and fights corruption in all ramifications. This has earned her respect from all,” stated Agboola.

    Other delegates of NANS at the event were Bello Shehu Tijani, Adewale Razak, Rilwan Adeniyi, Omoniyi Tawakalitul and Wisdom Opaka.

  • Not-Too-Young-To-Run: NANS lauds Buhari’s acceptance to sign bill

    The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has applauded President Muhammadu Buhari for agreeing to deepen democracy by signing the `Not-Too-Young-To-Run’ Bill.

    “By this action, President Buhari has demonstrated that he is a listening President and father who seek for the betterment of the youths at heart.

    “Nigerian students will continue to support Mr President’s programmes meant to better the lots of Nigerians,’’ NANS’ National President, Mr Kadiri Aruna, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Enugu.

    According to him, the assertion of Mr President was a welcomed developed.

    Buhari in his Democracy Day Speech on Tuesday, assured Nigerians that he will be joined by “few promising youths to sign the `Not-Too-Young-To-Run’ Bill soon’’.

    Read Also: NANS decries petroleum varsity’s neglect

    Kadiri noted that NANS and other pro-young people’s group had long waited for Mr President’s positive stance on the bill.

    “This bill will deepen democracy and give all especially youths that constitute the bulk of population of the country as sense of belonging.

    “It will also make the political space more inclusive and dynamic as more young people will bring in their innovations,’’ he said.

    The students’ leader, however, urged political parties in the country to implement the provisions of the bill when signed into law to create a space for young people to contribute to nation’s growth and progress.

  • JOHESU Strike: NANS gives FG 10-day ultimatum to resolve issues

    The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) on Saturday issued a 10-day ultimatum to the Federal Government to resolve the ongoing strike action embarked upon by the Joint Health Sector Union.

    President of the student body, Aruna Kadiri, conveyed NANS ultimatum to the federal government at a briefing in Abuja on Friday.

    He said the union would embark on a mass protest nationwide if the issues raised by JOHESU were not addressed before the end of the 10-ultimatum by the government.

    Kadiri said some students in major campuses had been forced to return home because they could not access medical care when they fell ill while the condition of others had gone critical due to the ongoing strike by the health workers.

    Kadiri said: “If it is not resolved before then (10-day ultimatum) we will come out enmasse and occupy the streets until government takes us back to our campuses.

    “We hope it does not get to that stage. We will give government some time to resolve the issues.

    Read Also: JOHESU: Lagos Assembly appeals to workers to return to work

    “We are still gathering information on the number of students in our campuses who have returned home and those whose condition has become critical for the unavailability of health workers in the hospitals.”

    Kadiri said NANS had appealed to JOHESU to suspend its strike in the interest of millions of Nigerians and their families who were bearing the brunt of the action.

    The NANS President advised doctors who were still in hospitals not to obstruct the ongoing talks between the government and JOHESU.

    Kadiri said: “The health union is requesting for the implementation of the adjusted consolidated salary structure.

    “We gather that the medical doctors have been addressing conferences and trying to distract the Federal Government from resolving the issues with JOHESU. We warn that the doctors must work to resolve the crisis and not to fuel it further.

    “NANS pleads with the union to suspend its strike in the interests of millions of Nigerian students and their families. We give the Federal Government a 10-day ultimatum to dialogue with the striking health workers.”

  • NANS meets OAU management over students’ suspension

    The leaders of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) in Zone D have met the management of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) in Ile-Ife, Osun State, over the suspension of students’ union leaders and union activities.

    The NANS’four-man team, led by zonal coordinator, Comrade Lukman Adekitan, was received by the Vice-Chancellor (VC), Prof Eyitope Ogunbodede, and other  principal officers.

    Lukman said the meeting focused on reconciling the management and students, with the aim of facilitating the restoration of union activities in the school. He added that NANS pleaded with the school management to recall the students’ leaders suspended last year.

    According to NANS coordinator, the meeting yielded positive results and a number of agreements were reached with the school management.

    He said: “As NANS leaders in the Southwest, we have responsibility to facilitate reconciliation between students’ leaders and their schools’ management. The objective of this meeting with the OAU management is to settle the differences on ground and pave the way for the reopening of the school portal.

    “We urged the management of the school to reinstate students’ leaders that were suspended and restore unionism unconditionally as socio-political tensions on ground diminish to the minimum.”

    The Dean of Students’ Affairs (DSA), Prof Isiaka Aransi, confirmed the meeting between the management and NANS leaders, but said “no agreement” was made.

    CAMPUSLIFE spoke with the school Chief Security Officer, Mr Babatunde Oyatokun, who was at the meeting. He confirmed that the school met with NANS leaders, pointing out that the suspended students would only be recalled if they pledge to be of good conduct.

    Oyatokun said: “About five of them (NANS leaders) came and we all had a meeting in the Vice-Chancellor’s office. Everything we discussed had to do with the issues of reinstatement of students’ union activities. We also discussed how the suspended students could be reinstated.

    “Management is working on the reinstatement of the students, but if the students would comport themselves when they are reinstated. The VC made it clear to NANS members that before the reinstatement process starts, the affected students must stop all the subversive publications that they are putting on the internet. It is when they stop this that the management will know that they are ready for reinstatement.”