A lecture delivered by the
General Secretary of the
Delta State Polytechnic, Ogwashi-Uku Alumni Association, Sen. (Prince) Chris-Dan Obaro Obruche (MSc, mnim) in the DSPG Alumni national platform on December 12, 2023, on the role of genuine students in a leadership position, a case of NANS.
Sen. Obruche in his lecture, talked about a genuine student, studentship and student leadership, which according to him a student is an individual who is enrolled in a university or any other higher education institution, or someone who studies a particular academic subject.
He said the primary reason for attending school is to acquire academic knowledge, skills, and positive character traits that are necessary to contribute positively to society. Adding that it is not uncommon to find students of different ages, ranging from children to adults, who are enrolled in various types of institutions such as colleges, universities, monotechnics, and polytechnics.
Discussing, he said “A student leader, on the other hand, is a student who holds an elected or appointed position of leadership within their institution. These leaders are responsible for guiding, motivating, and influencing other students towards the achievement of a common goal. They are entrusted with a specific rank or status to oversee, lead, or guide other students in achieving their goals and objectives.”
“A genuine student leader is someone who possesses admirable qualities such as integrity, honesty, and respect for others. They are highly motivated, enthusiastic, and passionate about the well-being of their fellow students and the institution at large. They have excellent communication and interpersonal skills that enable them to interact effectively with other students and faculty members alike.
“Furthermore, a student leader is expected to be knowledgeable about the policies, rules, and regulations of their institution. They must also be aware of the rights and privileges of registered students within the institution. This knowledge empowers them to make informed decisions that will benefit their constituents while adhering to the rules and regulations of the institution.
“Consequently, a student leader is an authentic member of an institution with all the rights and privileges of registered students. They are entrusted with a position of leadership to guide, motivate, and influence other students towards the achievement of their goals and objectives. Genuine student leaders possess admirable qualities and are knowledgeable about the policies, rules, and regulations of their institution.”
Giving a brief history of NANS, Sen. Obruche said
“The National Union of Nigerian Students (NUNS) was a student association that brought together Nigerian students both within Nigeria and across the diaspora. NUNS was founded in 1956, following structural changes in the West African Students’ Union. It brought together student councils in Ife, Zaria, and Nsukka.
“In April 1978, Nigerian students were faced with the imposition of increased fees, and NUNS participated in a series of Campus protests across the whole of Nigeria known as the “Ali Must Go protests.” The government responded by sending in the army and police, leading to the death or serious wounding of over twenty students. Three universities were closed and NUNS was banned. Several university staff and students were dismissed.”
“The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), formerly known as the National Union of Nigerian Students (NUNS), was initially set up to bring together all Nigerian Students to form a common front where issues concerning students are discussed. Comments: provide the connection between NUNS and NANS.”
“In its earlier days, the student association was bold and helped shape the acceptance of any government in Nigeria. The student body functioned as a pressure group that constantly pressured governments to change their political objectives, allies, and all anti-student policies.”
“The 1978 Ali Must Go Protests was the Nigerian students’ uprising that followed an increase in fees. The former Secretary of the Nigerian University Commission (NUC), stated that the increase was necessary due to the “high cost of living in the country.”
“The NUC said that, even though all undergraduate students will continue to receive free tuition, the cost of housing would rise to N90 per student for a session lasting 36 weeks or N30 for a session lasting three terms.
“A former president of NUNS, Segun Okeowo, now late, led a nationwide student protest against this government decision. Okeowo also assembled university students from all over Nigeria in a demonstration against the military government’s perceived arbitrary increase in the price of meal tickets for students.
“After several meetings with the then Federal Commissioner for Education, Ahmadu Ali, without achieving a reversal, NUNS called out students on a national protest which was to be tagged ‘Ali Must Go.’ The widespread demonstrations created unrest among the general public and spread beyond the schools. The ‘Ali Must Go Protest” shook the fabric of the nation and led to a significant challenge for the Obasanjo military regime.
“To put an end to the rioting, the military government under Obasanjo ordered the closure of all campuses. The protest signalled to the government the seriousness of the students to challenge any policy against them and the willingness of the students to organise subsequent demonstrations. In addition, the “Ali Must Go Protest” helped galvanise student unionism across the nation and created a way to hear students’ voices. The protest brought respect to the student body and provided direction for future student agitations.
“Okeowo, who led the protest, was swiftly expelled from the University of Lagos; he eventually received his first degree in education from the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University) in 1980 and after the disbanding of NUNS, NANS was birthed in 1980 with Comrade Danlad Sunday Oladele pioneer president of NANS. Comrade Oladele who was from Yaba Technical College would be today shaking in his grave to see that young student leaders have deviated from the original norms, vision and principles upon which NANS was founded.
“The Present NANS
The current day NANS without apology to those involved is a NANS that has lost its founding principles, bearing and values. A NANS where fractionalisation is now seen as a norm. An association that is now a shadow of itself and a far cry from what it used to be known for.
“A NANS where supposed student leaders recycle themselves from JCC level to Zonal then National level and still have the temerity to blame politicians for corruption. A NANS that goes for the highest bidder. An association where supposed students move from one institution to another or continue buying various program forms to be eligible to stand in for election. A NANS that uses cultism in running its affairs and intimidating perceived political opponents and innocent students.
“A NANS where the SUG Presidents (original Senators) don’t vote but are rather ‘toronto’ by touts. A NANS where the real students with a genuine vision to lead and liberate the Association cannot even get near the convention ground let alone dream of contesting. A NANS which is the voice of Jacob and the Hand of Esau. A NANS where the so-called stakeholders come to campus to make money from management at the expense of students’ welfare. And the list is endless.
“My solution is NANS should be returned to campus, make it look less attractive without government funding, and rather be funded by students who are the legitimate owners and not the current ones hijacked by the celebrity/stakeholders’ students.
Comradeship and sportsmanship should be emulated. Accepting defeat and supporting the winner to succeed.
“It’s worthy of note that education has no age. And if a man gains admission genuinely for any accredited course. He or she is eligible to contest but the idea of going back to school just to be able to contest an election should be jettisoned by all and sundry.
“The man dies all who keep silent in the face of tyranny” is a quote often attributed to the German Lutheran pastor and theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer. It is a powerful statement about the importance of speaking out against injustice and oppression, because “In the end, we will remember not the words of enemies, but the silence of our friends” (Martin Luther King Jr).
“Those benefiting from this divide rule NANS shouldn’t come for my head but rather make their intellectual depositions and your opinions for the way forward and saving Nigerian tertiary education from decaying are welcome.
Wadoo!!!
Many thanks.
