National Association of
Nigerian students(NANS) is the mother of all Nigerian universities unionism
which was ought to be a body that fight for rights and privileges of students
and to ensure that we have good Education system and sound academics
environment alongside with ASUU and other student bodies. In those years when
NANS was NANS there was unity among all Nigerian students with the spirits of
ones and comprise of young vibrant, energetic and student minded union, were
ever the called for assembly students across the federation will match until
the seen the light of the day.
History has inform us
how students struggle for the independent of Nigeria and also how students
stood against the SAP implementation in Nigeria in 1992
and so many movement for emancipation of our rights. The irony in NANS of today
is quite alarming when the leadership in NANS was dictated by stalk holders who
are Non- students or university drop out, who are in forefront in NANS affairs
to manipulate and maneuver issues according to what suit them and their Godson,
it will not be an exaggeration to write NANS of today is full of impersonation
and factional teams who are more corrupt then some Nigerian politicians.
The ongoing nationwide
8 weeks strike by ASUU which has paralyzed academic activities in Nigeria on
failure of the federal government to implement the 2009 agreement was quite a catastrophe
for Nigerians and a shame for Nigerian government as the giant of Africa, who
are bless with abundant natural and human resources, but the issue at stalk,
health workers are on strike, bad road network, no water supply and
environmental sanitation, electricity is privatize, similar story in all sphere of life in Nigeria, there was nothing
to write home about. Even due there was an effort by the government to ensure
that striking lecturers resume back works, but the ASUU under the leadership of
Dr. Nasir Isa Fagge remain adamant until the 2009 agreement is fully implemented.
The scenario has reach
zenith as series of meetings and negotiationshas been holding between ASUU delegate
and FG representatives but concluded deadlock, to the extent that ASUU has pull
out negotiations and very soon FG will declare ‘no work no pay’ which will
implicit stress to our lectures. When Nigeria politicians are paid millions of
naira every mouth as take home apart from other allowances and yet some loot
billions of dollars to swizz account. A country where 6 million is spent every
day in Mr. President Kitchen and billions of naira for his welfare and yet
cannot afford 92 billion for striking lectures. Just because their children are
not studying in Nigerian universities.
Third party is
emergency needed between the two fighting elephant,which will mediate and call
for dialogue so that issues will be resolve, who are those third party? The traditional
rulers, theNigerian Generals, the statesman, the elite and of course the
Nigerian students.The best in position to mediate over are the Nigerian
students.Since ASUU demand is purposely for student’s welfare as well to
promote the Nigerian educational system. Students umbrella is NANS and yet NANS
executives are stooges of FG whose interest is to safeguard the reputation of
President Jonathan calling for sacking Minister of Education and Minister of
Labour and Productivity, so that, they will be used in 2015 polls and be given
millions of naira as what happen during the fuel subsidy protest.
The leadership of NANS
led by YinkaGbedo has failed Nigerian students which was jettisoned the
interest by using strike to make money for their pocket. They have failed to organize
a peaceful demonstration against FG failure in fully implementation of 2009 agreements
but rather calling of state of emergency in ministry of Education. We are tired
of press release, we need action and we have constitution back up in peaceful
assembly. If not history will repeat itself as in 1993 when ASUU wasled by
prof. AttahiruJaga and now currently the INEC boos, when on strike and lasted
for 8 mouths.Which no one will pray for such to happenagain.NANS leadership is
immature; I wonder how they will mediate over ASUU strike.
The leadership
should be able to consulate beliefs as well as mobilize its members and the
citizenryfor positive action. The leaders should commune emotionally with their
followers. They should not be selfish individuals who ride on the back of the
people in order to achieve personal goals and ambitions. The goals of the
leadership must not be at variance with those of thefollowers. Like national
leadership, the leaders of the movement must be ready to suffer severe
deprivation in the interest of the people. No matter how important or effective
the leader may be, the qualities that endear him to his people may soon fade
away, ifhe operates in an ideological vacuum. Even if he manages to cope, as
most charismatic leaders do, things could be very difficult for his successors.
This is why the issue of ideology is linked with leadership. Until then, we can
say aluta continue victoria acerta!
Sadiq Ibrahim
Ayuba(SQ)
Student of power
and political analyses (BUK)
