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  • NANS, Youths Endorse Fed Lawmaker for 2nd Term

    NANS, Youths Endorse Fed Lawmaker for 2nd Term

    The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has endorsed House of Representatives member, Tolulope Akande-Sadipe as their preferred candidate from the Oluyole Federal Constituency.

    Led by the National Vice President, External Affairs, Comrade Akinteye Obatunde Afeez, the students’ body on Wednesday, stormed the Ajinde, Ibadan residence of the Oluyole Federal Representative, who is seeking a second term, to express support for her re-election.

    Speaking on behalf of others, Comrade Akinteye, while reeling out Akande-Sadipe’s achievements, said the students body has been watching her antecedents closely for years.

    He commended her love for education, saying through her office, she has helped several students in the Diaspora.

    Speaking on why NANS pitched its tent with Akande-Sadipe, Akinteye said, “She has built different school facilities in Oluyole Federal Constituency that have provided a good learning environment for pupils. Recently, she presented a bill to make JAMB valid for three years; she is a thoughtful woman”.

    Akinteye urged her to put more efforts in effectively developing the students’ Constituency, saying Youths and Students in the constituency are committed to voting for her.

    The other students who took turns to speak, unanimously, declared support for Rep. Tolulope Akande-Sadipe based on her performance in the House of Representatives in Abuja.

    The leadership of the students’ union during the visit also presented a Certificate of Endorsement to the House of Representatives member.

    Akande-Sadipe, in her response, expressed delight over the endorsement, saying the gathering was about the future of Oluyole.

    According to her, “I want to thank NANS leadership for coming out to validate this God blessed mandate. My team and I are just starting. The agenda for a better Oluyole Federal Constituency is still on track. We will commit more into education, in Oluyole Federal Constituency.”

    She promised not to take the endorsement for granted, adding that in her little way, she will support education and give pupils the conducive environment to learn.

  • Osun: NANS kicks against tribunal judgement as student group threatens protest

    Osun: NANS kicks against tribunal judgement as student group threatens protest

    Following the Friday judgement of the Osun State Election Tribunal which sacked Governor Ademola Adeleke and declared former Governor Gboyega Oyetola as the winner of the July 16, 2022 governorship election, some student bodies have kicked against the development.

    The National Association of Nigerian Students, Zone D, in a statement, signed by its Deputy Coordinator, Alao John, decried the tribunal judgement.

    Towing the path of Governor Adeleke, the student body also called the development a “miscarriage of justice.”

    NANS alleged that, “it is on record how some stalwarts of the All Progressives Congress have boasted federal might that they would win the tribunal case without any iota of doubt.

    “It has been observed in Nigeria that truth often surrenders to manipulations of the ‘big men.’

    “Also, out of the three judgements that ought to be read, only two were read with one in support of the Peoples Democratic Party.”

    The South-West student body however urged the Osun people to remain calm and be law-abiding.

    On its part, the Osun State National Association of University Students, Campus Monitoring Committee, threatened protest over the tribunal judgement.

    NAUS, in a statement signed by its Chairman, Eruobami Ayobami, obtained Saturday, claimed the tribunal judgement was against the will of students.

    “We want to reaffirm our stand against any individual or decision that is not for justice and equity, and we would not hesitate to come out for mass protest against such act.

    “The leadership of our union in the state is committed to defending the rights of students at all times,” NAUS said.

    It was gathered that that mixed reactions have trailed the tribunal judgement. While stakeholders in the APC have continued to laud the judgement, the PDP have cried foul, as Adeleke also vowed to appeal ruling.

    The tribunal led by Justice Tertse Like cancelled election in 744 polling units due to over-voting.

    It subsequently ordered that the certificate of return be presented to Oyetola as it sacked Adeleke.

  • NANS Protest Against Prolong ASUU Strike in Benue State

    NANS Protest Against Prolong ASUU Strike in Benue State

    By Isaac Kertyo, Makurdi

    Members of the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, Benue State chapter on Monday staged a peaceful protest against the prolong strike embarked upon by the Academic Staff Union of Nigerian Universities.

    The students barricaded major streets in Makurdi, the Benue State capital, causing traffic jam as they moved round the town to register their grievances.

    The group who carried placards with various inscriptions such as ” Education is a right, not a privilege” among others said they were in the streets to press home their demand for universities to be reopened.

    Chairman of NANS in Benue State, Comr Matthew Faasema who spoke to Day Break in an interview lamented that ” we are here in the streets to register our grievances over the prolong ASUU strike. We resolved during our congress in Sokoto recently to stage a nation wide protest”.

    Comr Faasema who blamed the Federal Government over its failure to Implement the agreement it had entered into with ASUU, maintained that the position of the union is for the best interest of the Nigerian students.

    “This is not the first time, year in year out, ASUU is going on strike. We are making our demands very clear to the Federal Government that this is what we want, we want to go back to the class”.

  • ASUU Strike: Nigerian Students Are Ready To Be Shot To End Strike – NANS President

    ASUU Strike: Nigerian Students Are Ready To Be Shot To End Strike – NANS President

    The President of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Sunday Asefon on Thursday suggested that the union is prepared to hit the streets to protest the strike embarked by the Academic Staff Union of Universities.

    Mr Asefon made the comment while speaking on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily.

    According to Mr Asefon, the government appears not to be interested in ending the strike as focus shifts to elections in 2023.

    He referenced the protests in Benin-city embarked by some university students.

    “We are talking about education, we are talking about life,” he said. “Our life is no longer being discussed by the leaders, these leaders that we elected; but rather, their focus now is about election. This election that we are talking about is because of their parochial and selfish interest.

    “We are battle ready, the highest they can do is to shoot us,” he said. “If they shoot, they will ask their police to shoot us, if we die, the generation coming will know we died because of fighting for them. They would also know that they shot us because they are preparing for election. But we need to take action”

    Mr Asefon noted that the government should stop playing politics with the ASUU issue.

    “If you have an opportunity to meet the ASUU and federal government, federal government will tell you they inherited the problem from PDP, the ASUU will tell you this negotiation has been on since when Jonathan was there but what we believe as students is that government is continuous; they should be able to fine tune and find a solution to this matter,” he said.

    “We should not be at the receiving end every time and as such, they should stop using us to play politics.”

  • 2023 Presidency: Ngige, Nwajiuba should resign Immediately – NANS

    2023 Presidency: Ngige, Nwajiuba should resign Immediately – NANS

    National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has said the Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige and the Minister of State for Education, Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba, should resign instead of aspiring to be president.

    NANS expressed concern that “individuals who do not have any credible past or present can now come out to declare their aspiration for the office of the president without shame,” under the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    The students maintained that the incumbent President Muhammadu Buhari “has degraded the office of the president so much” that the likes of Ngige and Nwajiuba could put themselves forward for the exalted office.

    “Many of such disappointment is the embarrassing declaration of intention and purchase of interest form by the duo of the Minister for Labour and the Minister of State for Education, Mr Chris Ngige and Mr Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba respectively,” they said in a statement signed by the Ogun State Chairman of NANS, Damilola Simeon and made available to DAILY POST on Thursday.

    The students stressed that the duo of Ngige and Nwajiuba have “failed to resolve the lingering ASUU strike among many other issues confronting the ministries they both head.”

    Simeon said, “By norms, failures like Mr Nwajiuba and Ngige should resign from their positions and tender open apology to Nigerian students and their parents for failing to resolve the crisis in the education sector.

    “Unfortunately, they have raised their shamelessness by showing intention to run for the most serious office of the federation.

    “Should Buhari be responsive and sensitive to national concerns, both men ought to be greeted with letters of dismissal as Ministers not later than 24 hours after their official declaration. Or what hope lies in a man who has failed in handling just a single ministry aspiring to be the President?”

    In the same vein, NANS described as heartbreaking, the fact that the APC dignified “these failed Ministers with access to purchase nomination form of the party,” saying “this is a proof that the party leadership emphasises income generated from sales of form above national interest.”

    The statement added: “This goes with the unbelievable fact that the form is sold for 100 million Naira in a country where over seventy percent of her citizens survive below a dollar per day; and a ruling party that has failed in addressing this poverty rate is mocking her citizens through this.

    “Our concern is also that these individuals purchasing the interest form of the APC and their counterparts in PDP for as much as N100 million and N40 million, respectively, lack conscience. We believe no individual with legitimate income and good intention would purchase the form to aspire for a presidential job of less than N60 million salary in four years at such amount.

    “This is an open mockery of the Buhari anti-corruption crusade facade. Even at this, it is ridiculous that someone like Governor Yahaya Bello and Nyesom Wike of Kogi and River States, who are owing salaries and/or pension could boldly purchase form. This exposes how badly our polity has been brought to its lowest ebb.

    “In conclusion, as much as we respect the power of parties to determine their internal affairs, as well as political rights of individuals, it is important that we make our concerns known in the interest of our dear country.”

  • No Party will hold Presidential Primaries in Abuja Until ASUU strike Ends — NANS Declares

    No Party will hold Presidential Primaries in Abuja Until ASUU strike Ends — NANS Declares

    The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) says there will be no presidential primaries in Abuja until the federal government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities resolve their differences and call off the strike action.

    This was made known in a statement issued on Sunday by Sunday Asefon, NANS president.

    ASUU has been on strike since February 14 due to several unresolved issues — one of which is the union’s insistence on making use of the University Transparency and Accountability Solution (UTAS) as a preferred payment option, instead of the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS).

    Amid the strike action, Chris Ngige, minister of labour and employment, and Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba, minister of state for education, have declared their interest to contest the 2023 presidential election.

    NANS described the declaration of the ministers as “total disrespect” for students who currently “languish” at home due to their “collective failures”.

    “We have also in the past weeks seen those saddled with great responsibility in the education sector and those saddled with responsibilities of resolving labour crises declaring interest to contest for the seat of the President come 2023,” the statement reads.

    “We are surprised by their effrontery and total disrespect to the Nigerian people for having the courage to even moot the idea of contesting talkless of picking up the N100m presidential form while students languish at home because of their collective failures.

    “Politicians have shown no concern for the plight of the students but are only busy in their selfish and inordinate ambitions to become the next President.

    “Let me say without mincing words, the two major political parties should forget any political gathering in Abuja or elsewhere except there is a solution to the lingering ASUU strike.”

    NANS threatened to frustrate all the activities leading to the selection of party candidates if ASUU remains on strike.

    The association said the federal government should either resolve the strike or get ready to “give direct orders to the security operatives to shoot us at the site during party conventions to select a presidential candidate”.

  • Strike: NANS gives FG, ASUU 2 weeks deadline to open varsities

    Strike: NANS gives FG, ASUU 2 weeks deadline to open varsities

    THE National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, has given the federal government and the striking Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, two weeks deadlines to resolve their differences and return students to classrooms.

    This came as the umbrella body of Nigerian students flayed the extension of a four-week strike earlier declared by the university lecturers, saying by the action, ASUU was the real enemy off Nigerian students.

    Regretting that ASUU chose to extend its strike even in the face of relentless appeals from students and well-meaning Nigerians, the students’ body insisted that both warring sides must do everything possible to end the strike or face the wrath of Nigerian students upon expiration of the ultimatum.

    A statement signed by NANS President, Sunday Asefon, and Secretary-General, Adekitan Lukman, released to the media, Wednesday, said the position of the body was made at the expanded National Executive Council, NEC, of NANS held on March 15,20222.

    The ultimatum to end the strike, the statement said, begins from March 25 to March 28, 2022.

    The students equally passed a vote of no confidence on the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige, and his counterpart in the Ministry of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu to continue to lead the government negotiation team.

    Recall that ASUU had on Monday extended its one-month warning strike by two months over the failure of the government to meet its demands

    NANS threatened that all major roads across the country would be blocked by students in mass street protest on the expiration of the ultimatum if the strike was not called off for students to resume classes.

    It appealed to traditional rulers, religious institutions and former NANS leaders who are currently occupying one position or the other government at all levels to prevail to intervene by engaging both ASUU and government to reopen the universities for academic activities to thrive.

    “The expanded meeting was well attended by leaders of our various structures across the country. The meeting expressed great disappointment in the Federal Government and ASUU for their lack of empathy to the cause of Nigerian students who are the major victim of this unnecessary show of strength.

    “NANS passes vote of no confidence on the Minister of Labour and Productivity and his counterpart in the Ministry of Education to continue to lead government negotiation team. They are either incompetent to engage productively with ASUU at the highest level or they lack the goodwill and trust to build consensus and find an amicable resolution.

    “We call for the immediate intervention of traditional institutions and religious institutions to prevail on the Federal Government and ASUU to reopen our universities while they continue their negotiation. We believe that every sector of the nation shall be adversely affected by our actions if this strike is not called off.

    “Also the underlisted past NANS leaders currently occupying political positions across the country are by this publication called upon to intervene, lobby and advise Federal Government and ASUU appropriately on what to expect if this strike is not called off,” the statement read.

  • Nigerian Students Protest Over ASUU Strike

    Nigerian Students Protest Over ASUU Strike

    The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has held a protest against the lingering strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).

    The students led by the national president, Sunday Asefon, gathered on Monday morning at Unity Fountain in Abuja, displaying various placards and chanting songs of solidarity.

    The protest was also held in other states including, Kofar Nasarawa, Kano State; Jos, Plateau State; Minna, Niger State; Jalingo, Taraba State; Ekiti State; Oyo State, among others.

    The NANS President addressing journalists in Abuja said the protesters will match from the Unity Fountain to the Federal Secretariat before proceeding to the National Assembly.

    Asefon said the students union has given the Federal Government up till the 28th of February to meet and resolve the issue with ASUU or face a national mass action by Nigerian students.

    He described as unfortunate the attitude of the Federal Government who he accused of playing hide and seek with ASUU since 1999 when it signed the agreement with the academic union.

    From the Unity Fountain, the Nigerian students marched to the National Assembly. They were however stopped by security operatives at the gate.

    A few of the students tried to put up resistance, but they were overpowered by security agents.

    Security agents while addressing Nigerian students during their protest in Abuja on Monday, February 28, 2022. PHOTO: Sodiq Adelakun/Channels TV

    NANS, last week issued a one-week ultimatum to the Federal Government to resolve its disagreement with ASUU or face a national mass action by Nigerian students across the country.

    The President of the association gave the ultimatum last week Monday, in Sokoto shortly after signing the reviewed Constitution of the association at the Sokoto State Government House.

    He vowed that every Nigerian student that the ASUU strike has sent home will participate in the strike and block all the Federal roads and the office of the Minister of Education and the office of the Minister of Labour should also be blocked.

    According to the NANS President, “If Nigerian students are at home, office of the Minister of Education and Minister of Labour cannot be opened.”

  • ASUU Strike: We’ll Block All Roads Linking To Abuja – NANS

    ASUU Strike: We’ll Block All Roads Linking To Abuja – NANS

    The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has threatened to block all roads to Abuja if the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU)’s strike is not called off.

    The association said that it will also match the Abuja streets on Monday to protest against the strike action by ASUU.

    Speaking to BBC Hausa on Tuesday, the vice president of the union, Yazid Tanko Muhammad, said the protest had become necessary in order to rescue the educational system of the country from incessant strike actions.

    He said: “The reason we choose to embark on a protest is that it is the only language that can be understood and it is the only way we can show the world our situations and feelings towards the strike.

    “So, it is a protest which if we start, will not stop until the issues are resolved and the lecturers resume work.

    “So we will block the roads linking Abuja from Kogi, Abuja from Kaduna and Abuja from Nasarawa states.

    “That means we will block the whole Abuja on that day. We will also block the Federal Secretariat.

    “That is why we are calling on Mr President to show concern and solidarity to us by not attending to work on that day.

    “He should please remain at home. Since everyone is a student, either a Minister, Senator, House of representatives member they were all students before they reached the level they are now.

    “So, we are doing this because of the future of our education and the country.

    “We can’t just stay at home and watch. No country in the world can go on strike for a whole month without any concrete reasons like a pandemic or similar things.”

    He said the protest will involve students, parents and civil servants who will join them to tell the world the situation they are facing in the country with regards to their education.

  • NANS Gives FG One-Week Ultimatum To Resolve ASUU Strike

    The National Association of Nigeria Students (NANS) has issued a one-week ultimatum to the Federal Government to resolve its disagreement with the Academic Staff Union of University (ASUU) or face a national mass action by Nigerian students across the country.

    President of the student’s association, Sunday Adedayo, revealed this on Monday, in Sokoto shortly after signing the reviewed Constitution of the association at the Sokoto State Government House.

    “The Nigerian students have concluded and given the mandate that if the Federal Government and ASUU do not resolve this between today and Friday, Nigerian students should mobilise and give the language the government understands.

    “A day of national mass action has been fixed – February 28, which is next week Monday. Every Nigerian student that the ASUU strike has sent home should block all the Federal roads and the office of the Minister of Education and the office of the Minister of Labour should also be blocked. If Nigerian students are at home, office of the Minister of Education and Minister of Labour cannot be opened,” the NANS President said.

    He described as unfortunate the attitude of the Federal Government who he accused of playing hide and seek with ASUU since 1999 when they signed the agreement with the academic union.

    He lamented that the government has bastardised the education system at the primary and secondary level and NANS is not going to open its eyes and watch the government destroy the tertiary education.

    NANS is in Sokoto for its constitutional review conference where the association reviewed its forty years Constitution at the Sokoto State University.

    The reviewed Constitution was signed at the Sokoto State Government House in the presence of Sokoto State governor Aminu Tambuwal.

    Speaking earlier, Governor Tambuwal appealed to ASUU to find a way of resolving their disagreement without embarking on strike.

    Governor Tambuwal also called on the Federal Government to find a way of meeting the demands of ASUU despite the fact the country is facing economic challenges.