TodayPrice

Tag: NANS

  • NANS slams Akpabio, senators over ‘chaotic’ senate sessions

    NANS slams Akpabio, senators over ‘chaotic’ senate sessions

    ABUJA – The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has expressed concern over Senate President Godswill Akpabio and other senators for the chaos and personal attacks in the 10th National Assembly.

    The student body expressed concern over lawmakers’ conduct, warning that such behaviour undermines good governance and Nigeria’s international reputation. This condemnation occurred during the NANS Solidarity March to the National Assembly in Abuja, aimed at addressing tensions in the Senate. Comrade Oladoja Olushola, NANS President-Elect, delivered an address emphasising the need for decorum and accountability among senators.

    NANS highlighted the troubling trend of personal vendettas and political rhetoric overshadowing critical issues like economic reforms, inflation control, and social harmony. The association stressed that senators must prioritise legislation benefiting Nigerians over divisive conflicts.

    NANS warned that ongoing infighting could worsen political divisions and hinder collaboration between the National Assembly and the Presidency. Furthermore, NANS urged Senate President Akpabio to strengthen the relationship between the legislative and executive branches, emphasising the importance of delivering democratic dividends to Nigerians.

    Comrade Olushola stated, “The recent exchanges in the Nigerian Senate, marked by attacks and counterattacks, are deeply concerning. As Nigerian students, we feel compelled to address these developments. The trend of personal attacks and political rhetoric is troubling, especially as the Federal Government strives to reshape the country’s economic trajectory.

    “Elected representatives must focus on national issues impacting citizens’ well-being rather than pursuing personal vendettas that could undermine the integrity of individuals, the Senate, and Nigeria. The world is watching, and it would be disheartening to see our legislative institution reduced to an object of ridicule.

    “Given the seriousness of the alleged misconduct, which is already in court, I urge all parties to act appropriately and avoid comments that could incite unrest. NANS recommends that the Senate take disciplinary action against any senator found guilty after the court’s verdict.

    “If these tensions persist, they risk further inflaming the political landscape, leading to negative consequences for both the Senate and the country, and deepening divisions among Nigerians. We encourage Senate President Akpabio to remain committed to strengthening the synergy between the National Assembly and the Presidency, led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

    “As Nigerian students, we will not stand idly by while our political institutions are eroded. We make this statement not to take sides, but to emphasise the need for accountability and order in the Senate. We call for calm, restraint, and a renewed commitment to peace-building in the interest of national progress and the well-being of all Nigerians.”

  • NANS condemns incessant kidnapping of students, urges FG to rescue abducted Benue varsity students

    NANS condemns incessant kidnapping of students, urges FG to rescue abducted Benue varsity students

    The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has raised concerns over the increasing rate of student kidnappings across tertiary institutions in the country, calling on the Federal Government to urgently address the menace that has made campuses unsafe.

    The student body specifically appealed to the government and security agencies to intensify efforts in rescuing the three female students of Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, Makurdi, Benue State, who were abducted on February 25 while returning from a night study session within the university premises.

    Eyewitnesses reported that the kidnappers emerged from a nearby bush and forcefully took the students away.

    In a statement issued on Sunday in Abeokuta, NANS National Vice President, Inter-Campus Affairs, Akinbodunse Sileola Felicia, described the abduction of students on and off campus as an alarming trend that must be tackled immediately.

    She expressed concern that campuses, once considered safe, have now become porous, making them easy targets for criminal elements.

    “Apart from the psychological and physical trauma inflicted on the kidnapped students, their parents and guardians are also in distress. If students living within campus premises can be kidnapped, those residing off campus are at even greater risk,” Akinbodunse stated.

    She urged the university management to go beyond merely suspending academic activities and reinforce security, especially at night when students engage in study sessions.

    NANS also criticized the slow response of security agencies in rescuing the students, warning that failure to act swiftly would embolden criminals to continue such nefarious activities.

    “NANS is alarmed at the rate students are being kidnapped on campuses. This disturbing trend must be stopped before it spirals out of control.”

    “We commend the management of Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University for suspending academic activities, but they must also strengthen campus security to prevent a recurrence.”

    “If urgent action is not taken, NANS will not hesitate to mobilize students for nationwide protests until the abducted students are rescued,” Akinbodunse declared.

    The association urged the Federal Government, Benue State Government, and security agencies to prioritize the safety of students and secure the immediate release of the abducted students unharmed.

  • NANS elections: 52-year-old aspirant disqualified

    NANS elections: 52-year-old aspirant disqualified

    A presidential aspirant in the coming national convention of the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, Prince Maiphebn, who gave his age as 52, has been disqualified from contesting the election.

    This is just as 15 other aspirants have been cleared for the post by the Independent Convention Planning Committee (ICPC), set up by the student body.

    The results of the screening exercise were made known on Wednesday night in a statement signed by the chairman, Prince Koyoyo, and secretary, Comrade Adio Friday, (NANS ICPC 2025).

    Maiphebn, from the University of Jos, whose matriculation number read PGLAW/UJ/00190/10, confirmed to have been admitted into the university in the year 2010/2011 academic session and was expected to have graduated in the 2012/2013 session.

    The statement read, “The Independent Convention Planning Committee (ICPC) of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has officially released its screening report for the upcoming national convention slated for February 23rd-27th, 2025, at Old Parade Ground, Abuja.

    “After a thorough vetting process, 15 aspirants including Ansaku Shedrack from University of Abuja, Atiku Abubakar Isa from Abubakar Audu University, Ayingba, Righteous Aondowas from NSUK Keffi, Maiyaki Isaq Mohammed from Federal University of Technology, Minna, Benjamin Daoupam from Plateau State Polytechnic, Agada Noah from Federal University, Lokoja, Yusuf Umar From Nasarawa State University, Keffi, Gambo Abubakar Mohammed from IBB University Lapai, Godia T Adam from NSUK Keffi, Eve Dominic from BSU Makurdi, Olushola Oladoja from University of Jos, Salahudeen Suleiman From University of Abuja, Musa Mosses Atah NSUK Keffi, Jeremaih Friday, BSU Makurdi and Mamud Abubakar from KWASU, Malete have been cleared to contest, while Prince Maiphebn (52 years old) from University of Jos, whose Matriculation number read PGLAW/UJ/00190/10, confirmed to have been admitted into the University in year 2010/2011 academic session and expected to have graduated in 2012/2013 was disqualified.

    “Abbah Owocho from BSU Makurdi and 4 other aspirants have also been disqualified for failing to meet the genuine studentship criteria.

    “The screening exercise, conducted in line with NANS constitutional provisions, aimed to ensure that only bona fide students participate in the election, upholding the integrity of the association.”

  • Most fake number plates used for crime bear presidency, NANS tag  —  FRSC boss

    Most fake number plates used for crime bear presidency, NANS tag  —  FRSC boss

    The Lagos State Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Kehinde Hamzat, said FRSC officials have commenced a special operation to root out fake number plates nationwide.

    According to him, most fake number plates used to perpetuate evils in the country bear the tags of respected institutions such as the presidency, Nigerian Youth Council (NYC) and the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS).

    The FRSC boss disclosed this on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily programme on Friday, February 7, 2025.

    Hamzat asserted that the abuse of such numbers is becoming a security threat, adding that the corps has not yet traced the producers of fake plate numbers but has started going after their users.

    “We think that most of these number plates are labelled presidency, NYC, NANS and some others, knowing fully well that these are established institutions that probably law enforcement agents wouldn’t want to disturb. We now discover that they use all these things to perpetuate evils, and it’s becoming a security threat to the country,” he said.

    Hamzat explained further that most plate numbers with the presidency tag are not registered in the Nigerian vehicle registration database.

    “If you check these numbers on the database, you’ll discover they are not anywhere. So when they misbehave, you start tracing the vehicle you can’t identify. We are trying to pick as many of them as possible to investigate and prosecute them appropriately,” he said.

    The operation is believed to be part of the FRSC’s commitment to maintain the integrity of the National Vehicle Identification Scheme (NVIS).

    The agency’s Corps Marshal, Malam Shehu Mohammed, recently directed his officers to arrest and impound vehicles associated with NANS structures.

    Reacting to the directive, NANS leadership threatened to shut down FRSC commands across the country if the agency implemented it.

    However, the FRSC has insisted that the threat by NANS leadership will not deter it from impounding vehicles with NANS tags and fake number plates.

  • South-East students condemn killing of EFCC officer

    South-East students condemn killing of EFCC officer

    The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), South-East Zone, has condemned the killing of Aminu Salisu, one of the operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), in Awka, Anambra.

    EFCC Spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, said this in a statement on Saturday in Abuja.

    Salisu, an Assistant Superintendent of the EFCC, ASE11, was allegedly shot dead by a suspected internet fraudster, while on a legitimate duty on Jan. 17.

    According to Oyewale, the students expressed their grief and solidarity with the commission, when a delegation, led by Comrade Charles Ijeomah, paid a condolence visit to the EFCC’s Chairman, Mr Ola Olukoyede, in Abuja on Friday.

    Ijeomah pledged the collaboration, cooperation and support of the entire Southeast students to the commission against financial crimes.

    “He said that the onus fell on the leadership to sanitise and give proper orientation to the students not to indulge in internet crime and we have been succeeding.

    “We are sorry for the incident that happened lately in Awka. Maybe you may have seen our comments, our stand, we condemned it.

    ”We are here to let the authority of EFCC understand that we commiserate with you and to tell you not to judge the Southeast with what happened.”

    The student leader said criminal acts were not in their blood and it was against their nature, stressing that the region comprised hardworking people.

    ”We don’t indulge in crime. Anybody that indulges in crime in the Southeast is not a true son of Igbo.
    ”We know how to make money but this idea of being in one room with a device to trick someone is not in our blood.

    ”Our aim of coming here is to let EFCC know that Southeast students are with you and that we are going to partner with you more to educate our students to end any kind of internet crime.

    ”We are 100 per cent open to any form of interaction, collaboration and cooperation between the students of South-east and the EFCC.”

    Speaking further, Ijeomah disclosed that the union had programmes and proposals that when implemented, would bring the EFCC closer to university campuses in the Southeast and help to further sensitize the students.

    The Commission Secretary, Mr Muhammad Hammajoda, who received the delegation on behalf of the Chairman appreciated the students on the condolence visit.

    He said that everyone was a stakeholder in the fight against corruption directly or indirectly.
    ”We don’t have any other country apart from Nigeria.

    ”You spent your personal money and time to be with us for you to understand what we are doing and to also be part of us.

    ”We appreciate you and we will continue to appreciate you. We will support you in trying to disseminate anti-corruption information,” he said.

    He, therefore, urged the students to take advantage of the existing Federal Government’s Student’s Loan Scheme for their benefit.

    He promised that the commission would identify with all the noble programmes of the students in the zone if invited.

    Hammajoda encouraged the students’ leaders on their crusade against students’ involvement in internet crime.

    “We are sinking day by day with corruption. So let’s educate ourselves that this cyber crime will not take you anywhere.

    ”All of us are victims. Nobody has protection against it.

    ”Anyone can be attacked. We have a very sound youth population with a very high IQ (intelligence quotient) and ingenuity to do many things,” he said.

    Also speaking, Chief of Staff to the Chairman, Michael Nzekwe, noted that “cybercrime has done too much damage to us as a country.

    ”If you check and find out how much it affected us, you’ll be shocked.

    ”Internationally, the image of the country has been battered. When you travel outside the country they look at you in a certain way with your green passport.

    ”So, cybercrime is just one thing that all of us have to put our hands together and be deliberate and intentional to see that we eliminate. EFCC has done so much in ensuring that.”

  • NANS Opposes NECO’s N50,000 Certificate Reprint Fee

    NANS Opposes NECO’s N50,000 Certificate Reprint Fee

    The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has strongly opposed the new N50,000 fee imposed by the National Examination Council (NECO) for certificate reprints, Okay.ng reports.

    In a reaction to the new fee, NANS clerk of the Senate, Abdulyekinn Odunayo, in a statement described the decision as outrageous and a commercialisation of education.

    The student body believes that the fee places an unjust burden on students, particularly during a time of economic hardship.

    NANS has expressed concerns about the lack of transparency in NECO’s fee structure and policies, and has called for an immediate reversal and reduction of the fee to a more affordable amount.

    NANS also advocates for an extension of the reprint request deadline to 5 years and urges for stakeholder engagement to ensure decisions that prioritize the needs of students.