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Tag: NANS

  • ASUU Strike: NANS threatens to boycott general elections

    The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has threatened to boycott the 2019 general elections should the Federal Government fail to meet the demands of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).

    The chairman of the Abuja chapter of NANS, Mojeed Omolaja, stated this in Abuja on Wednesday at a one-day conference organised by Online Publishers Association of Nigeria with the theme: “Free Press and objective reporting in the 2019 election year.”

    He also distanced the FCT chapter of NANS from the faction of NANS led by one Akpan Daniels Bamidele who was said to be a student of Nasarawa State University, Keffi.

    The Bamidele-led NANS had visited President Muhammadu Buhari where he endorsed his re-election.

    Omolaja insisted that the NANS officials who paid courtesy call to the President were not fair, adding that the FCT chapter of NANS stood for integrity.

    He said, “We in the FCT here are not part of those who went to eulogise the President; we stand for integrity and anything we get right in FCT will be got right in all the states of the federation because we lead and others follow.

    “The Nigerian students will not vote in the forthcoming election if academic activities do not resume in the universities.

    “In this forthcoming elections, we the FCT chapter of NANS that controls other chairmen in other states have deemed it fit not to participate in the election until when ASUU calls off the strike, because they can’t be playing with our future.

    “Their children are going to school abroad and we are here and they still want their children to come and rule over us with their lackadaisical attitude towards our education.

    “It is quite unfortunate that at this point in time students are at home doing nothing.

    “The major reason we are at home is that ASUU is on strike and we expect the Federal Government to meet their demands because this incessant issue is a catastrophic setback to the students.

    “Imagine somebody spending seven to eight years to finish a four-year programme. It is not done abroad. Is it because our parents don’t have the financial muscle to send us abroad?”

     

  • Strike: NANS accuses ASUU of blackmail, denies collecting N150m cash gift from Buhari

    The leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has distanced itself from the purported allegations by the Academic Staff Union of Universities claiming it received N150 million from the presidency.

    The students union body disclosed this in a statement signed by Mr Adeyemi Amoo, it’s National Public Relations Officer, and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria in Abuja on Saturday.

    Amoo called on Nigerian students to discountenance the allegations by ASUU, saying that the association was ready to protect the interest of all the students.

    He said President Muhammadu Buhari, who is a known person in character and style to virtually all Nigerians, would never dole out such amount of money for any reason, which would not be of any national benefits or developments.

    NAN reports that President Buhari on January 3, met with the leadership of NANS to resolve issues with ASUU.

    “Our attention has been drawn to the purported and sponsored allegation, that NANS had been bribed by President Muhammadu Buhari with a whooping sum of N150million to protest against ASUU.

    “We commend the well-meaning, intellectual and genuine civil society groups for not falling for this blackmail, as we’ve been informed that they’ve also been lobbied by ASUU to join them in pushing this blackmail.

    “We are not surprised that this blackmail isn’t flying beyond the pseudo groups they’ve been able to arrange and mobilise with cash.

    “President Muhammadu Buhari, is a known person in character and style to virtually all Nigerians, even the oppositions know that Buhari will never give out such amount of money for any reason(s) that is not of national benefits or developments.”

    Amoo explained that NANS had earlier declared November 17, 2018 as a nationwide day of mass action tagged: “SAVE EDUCATION RALLY ” held simultaneously across the states of the federation, to protest the incessant strikes across universities, polytechnics and colleges of Education.

    He added that in October 2018, NANS national leadership, met with the Minister for Education, to fine-tune ways of finding a long-term solution to the regular strikes in the educational sector.

    “We demanded as the major stakeholders in the sector, to always have representatives at the meeting of ASUU with Federal Government, as this was targeted towards adding to the strength and voice of ASUU, so as to make government yield to their demands speedily.

    “The Federal Government on her own side sees the request of been an observer at the negotiation table with ASUU as a welcome development.

    “NANS was invited twice to the meeting of Federal Government with ASUU, ably represented by the NANS national president, Danielson Akpan, but was walked out twice by the ASUU leadership, insisting that such negotiations must not be done in the presence of younger ones.”

    The statement added, “NANS, therefore, uses this medium to inform Nigerian students and Nigerians at large, that its leadership will not, has not and will not for any reason sell the interest and integrity of our dear organisation.

    “Conclusively, we want to tell ASUU that NANS is not for sell, we have not and will not turn our struggles to a source of empowerment,” he said.

  • Strike: NANS to commence mass action against FG, ASUU, ASUP January 7

    The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has issued a noticed to all its structures and organs to commence mobilization for mass action against the federal government, the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU, and the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP).

    This was contained in a statement signed by the association’s president, Danielson Akpan, on Sunday.

    The ASUU commenced a nationwide strike on November 4 after the lecturers accused the federal government of not implementing previous agreements.

    The association had earlier issued an ultimatum of two weeks to FG, ASUU and ASUP on December 23, to call off the strike or face confrontation.

    According to the correspondence, the association blamed the parties involved (FG, ASUU and ASUP) of not making appreciable steps in resolving the crises.

    Akpan accused the university lecturers of not showing enough commitment to end the strike, saying they staged a workout during negotiations with the government despite the latter meeting two out of their three demands.

    The three major issues, the NANS leader said, include the non-payment of some academic staff salaries shortfall, non-release of operational license for NUPEMCO (Nigerian Universities Pension Management Company), and non-payment of earned academic allowances.

    “The minor disagreement over figures in salaries shortfall which the FG claimed to be N15 billion as against ASUU’s N25 billion,” he said.

    “None of the issues mentioned above directly improves the lot of Nigerian students or infrastructure and basic amenities on our campuses. Again, the question, why are Nigerian Students made to suffer for the interests of ASUU or ASUP which doesn’t improve lots of Nigerian students arises,” Mr Akpan said.

    He urged all structures and organs of the NANS to begin meetings and mobilisation immediately ahead of the mass action commencing on January 7, 2019.

  • NANS issues two weeks ultimatum to FG, ASUU over lingering strike

    NANS issues two weeks ultimatum to FG, ASUU over lingering strike

    The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has issued a two weeks ultimatum to the federal government and Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to end the lecturers’ strike or be ready for confrontation.

    This was contained in a statement signed by the association’s president, Danielson Akpan, on Sunday.

    The ASUU strike commenced on November 4 after the lecturers accused the federal government of not implementing previous agreements.

    ASUU has had several meetings with the federal government but both parties have been unable to reach a consensus.

    “The leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), after a holistic critique of the lingering industrial actions embarked upon by the academic staff of our tertiary institution has issued a TWO WEEKS ULTIMATUM to both the FG and ASUU to call off the lingering strike or face the full wrath of angry Nigerian students,” Mr Akpan said.

    The association also kicked against not being allowed to be part of the negotiation between federal government and ASUU.

    “To our greatest consternation, the Academic Staff Union of Universities has resisted vehemently, the idea of having students’ representatives during these meetings and rather, called for closed door meetings between the Federal Ministry of Education and the leaders of the Union.”

    “And the FG has agreed that we observe the negotiations, hence, we’re at the receiving end. We are worried and (are asking) – what is ASUU hiding? ”

    The union leader said the strike has affected students academics, the accumulating cost of accommodation and could disenfranchise students from participating in the 2019 general elections.

    He threatened a mass protest across the country and the mobilisation of 100,000 students for a protest in Abuja.

    “They must be ready to pay back monetary compensations to Nigerian students from their salaries that continue to count even when they are not working at all, at our detriment,” he added

    “We are determined to carry out these actions to the fullest, if our campuses are not reopened at the expiration of this ultimatum. We therefore urge the FG and ASUU not to test our resolve as Nigerian students have been patient and (have been) taken for granted for far too long,” Mr Akpan said.

     

  • NANS condemns assassination of Badeh, calls for fishing out perpetrators

    The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), on Wednesday condemned the killing of the immediate past Air Chief Marshal, Alex Badeh, retired Chief of Defence Staff.

     

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the former Chief of Defence Staff, Badeh, a four-star General of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), was shot dead on Tuesday along Abuja-Keffi Road.

     

    The Director of Public Relations and Information, NAF, Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola, confirmed Badeh’s assassination in a statement in Abuja on Tuesday.

    He said that that the former defence chief died from gunshot injuries sustained when his vehicle was attacked on Abuja-Keffi Road while returning from his farm.

    NANS’ National Public Relations Officer, Mr Bestman Okereafor, in a statement in Enugu, urged security agents to ensure that the perpetrators of “this evil are brought to book without delay.“

    “The attention of the apex students governing body, NANS, has been drawn to the gruesome assassination of Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh, a retired four-star flag officer of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF).

     

    “NANS, in all totality, condemns the killing and considers this as very unfortunate, disheartening and one that has no doubt once again portrays our beloved country in a negative way and manner in the commity of nations.

     

    “If a former Chief of Defence Staff can be assassinated in such a manner in a democratic rule, what then is the fate of common defenceless Nigerians?

     

    “NANS is calling on security agents across the country to step up security measures as the Yuletide draws nearer, and specifically ahead of the 2019 General Elections,’’ he said.

     

    He said the association was not unaware of the Federal Government’s efforts to tackle insecurity in the country even though it was being frustrated by some political gladiators.

     

    “On this sad note, NANS is bidding the former Chief of Defence Staff farewell.

     

    “May God grant the Badeh family, government of Adamawa and the Nigerian Air Force the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss, we pray that his gentle and rugged soul rest in peace, Amen.’’

    NAN recalls that the late retired four-star General and flag officer of the Nigerian Air Force was the 18th Chief of Air Staff from Oct. 4, 2012 to Jan. 16, 2014; and the 15th Chief of Defence Staff from Jan. 16, 2014 to July 13, 2015.

  • NANS hails FG on reduction of JAMB, NECO form fees

    The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), on Thursday applauded the Federal Government for reducing the cost of JAMB and UTME form fees for final year secondary school and post-secondary school examinations.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Federal Government, after the Federal Executive Council meeting on Wednesday, announced the reduction in JAMB form fees from N5, 000 to N3, 500 for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

    The Senior Secondary Certificate charged by National Examination Council (NECO) has been reduced from 11,350 to N9, 850 and Basic Education Certificate handled by NECO, N5, 500 to N4, 000.

    The reductions take effect from January, 2019.

    “NANS considers this decision as a good and progressive minded one,’’ NANS National Public Relations Officer, Mr Bestman Okereafor, said in a statement issued in Enugu on Thursday.

    Okereafor, however, urged the Federal Government to prioritise the issue of education and especially the ongoing ASUU/COEASU strike.

    According to him, the strike has truncated the chances of “some of our compatriots graduating in 2018, simply because the academic calendar has been altered. “

    “NANS considers this decision as a good and progressive minded one, but strongly believes that resolving the ongoing ASUU/COEASU strikes would be better.

    “We are of the opinion that schools must be made conducive for all students on campuses as it was in the days of old.
    The association noted that many students were admitted without assurance of smooth sail throughout the expected period of study, “as we now have students spending six years for a four- year course. “

    “The Presidency must consider making our campuses a conducive atmosphere for learning and research purposes.

    “It is highly disheartening that we have lost quite a handful of young, hardworking and promising Nigerian students to the cold hands of death due to the ongoing strike.

    “Even as some of our students are now been exposed to various crimes, and drugs. For an idle hand they say is the devil’s workshop.’’

    Okereafor, however, appealed to the leadership of ASUU not to frustrate the process of negotiation with the Federal Government, rather consider suspending the strike in the best interest of all.

    According to it, the ongoing strike has done more harm than good to students.

  • ASUU strike: 11 UNIMAID students die in road accident

    The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) on Friday expressed sadness over the death of 11 students of University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID) in an auto accident on Tuesday.

    A total of 11 students of UNIMAID died in the accident on November 20 on their way to Damaturu from Maiduguri following the ASUU strike, according to NANS.

    The National Public Relations Officer of NANS, Mr Best Okereafor, gave the condolence in a statement issued in Enugu on Friday.

    “NANS mourns the fallen Nigerian students and in same vain attribute the demise to the ongoing Academic Staff Unions
    of Universities (ASUU) strike. NANS believes that if the strike was not ongoing; the students would have been in school, studying.

    “NANS is calling on the Federal Government to save our future and consider the souls of these fallen innocent Nigerian students often told that they are the leaders of tomorrow. Can we lead in grave?

    “In as much as we believe in the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration, NANS is on this sad note, calling on Federal
    Government to make students happy by meeting the demands of the striking ASUU and Colleges of Education lecturers without
    further delay,” he stated.

    According to him, ASUU should not politicise the industrial action but consider the lives of Nigerian students by shifting grounds.

    “We appreciate the ASUU agitations as some are students oriented and we are part of the struggle as we are most affected as well,” the NANS PRO further stated.

     

  • 2019: NANS threatens to vote out Buhari over ASUU strike

    2019: NANS threatens to vote out Buhari over ASUU strike

    The National Association of Nigerian Students has threatened to vote against President Muhammadu Buhari in 2019 if he refuses to meet up with the demands of the striking Academic Staff Union of Universities and Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union.

    NANS Spokesman Azeez Adeyemi, spoke to journalists in Abeokuta yesterday after a peaceful protest over the alleged refusal by Federal Government to meet ASUU demands.

    He said: “Mr. President, NANS is giving you this for free that, come 2019, we are going to show you the road through our votes to Daura if after today’s (yesterday’s) nationwide protest , you still not respect the voice of over 50 million Nigerian students.

    “We hereby call on the federal government to implement the demands of ASUU and COEASU, because, we have resolved not to go back on this struggle”.

    Adeyemi also expressed concern over the state of tertiary institutions across the country, accusing the Buhari-led government of budgeting low funds for the education sector.

    “Our universities, polytechnics, colleges of education laboratories are no more updated, no research apparatus, our lecture rooms are dilapidated. Education that our mates got for free, food that you got from our cafeteria for free during the study is what you want to sell for us, we will resist it. Quality education and not just education is our property, we won’t buy it, and you cannot sell it to us”, he said.

    Similarly, in Minna, Niger State, students in a peaceful protest tagged: “Save Education Rally” decried incessant strikes in the education sector and called on the federal government to shift ground on the matter.

    They carried placards with inscriptions such as “FG should meet up their agreement with COEASU”, “Nigerian students are tired of unstable education”, “Save education save the future”, “stop mortgaging our future”, “Education is the future we have”, “No nation can survive without good education”.

    NANS Zone A Coordinator, Umar Faruk Lawal, said there was endemic decay in the sector which required urgent intervention, adding that although the agreement which led to the ongoing faceoff was reached before the current administration assumed power, government is a continuum.

    He urged the federal government to refrain from treating the issue with levity.

    “We are not happy with the federal government, all our institutions are shut down, we are not happy with the way things are going in the education system. Nigeria students should be called back to the classrooms.

    “We are not happy that all our institutions are shut down by ASUU, COEASU and NASU. The Federal Government should look into the sector and do something about it. The students are not happy sitting down at home”, he said.

  • NANS threatens nationwide protest over lingering NOUN law students’ crisis

    The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has issued a notice of mass actions over the protracted crisis between the Council of Legal Education (CLE) and National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN)

    It said the crisis had hindered the law graduates of the university from admission into the Nigerian Law School for over five years.

    A statement by the National Vice President (External affairs) of the association, Taiwo Bamigbade, and made available to journalists in Abuja on Tuesday, said the protest would begin on August 27 and would be in two phases.

    Bamigbade said the association had earlier written a letter to notify President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday over the crisis.

    The student body had issued a three months ultimatum to the federal government on May 23 to admit the Law graduates from NOUN into the Nigerian Law School.

    The student apex body described as unfortunate that its three-month ultimatum to the federal government received no attention, despite the plight of NOUN law students for the past five years instead it continued with gimmicks.

    “Sequel to our petition dated 23rd May, 2018 in respect of the intimidations, injustices and inhumanity to man meted out to students that were offered admission and graduated in the faculty of law of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN).

    “As stated previously, it amounts to fraud, deceit, discrimination and mischief against the Nigerian students and inhumanity to vulnerable citizens, especially the youths to formally admit, graduate and issue them deficient certificates after several years of study despite financial implication.

    “We will commence our mass actions with Phase-1 in the Federal Capital Territory from 27th to 31th August.

    “Consequently, we have decided that enough is enough and shall inevitably shut down the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, against any public activities taking place in the period.

    Bamigbade stated that the phase one protest which would be a five-day mass action will take place in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, while phase two will take place on October 1.

    Recall that ‎the judgment of Justice Hilary Oshomah of the Federal High Court. Port-Harcourt, Rivers, on October 4, 2017, hands-off the matter to the academia to resolve.

    The bodies include the National Universities Commission (NUC), Council of Legal Education (CLE) and the Federal Ministry of Education.

    ‎However, the decision of the court did not go down well with the NOUN, Law Graduates Forum, who stated that the court unconsciously renounced its jurisdiction on all academic and students’ matters.

    The forum also frowned at the nonchalant attitude of the three academic bodies in resolving the misunderstanding despite the judgment‎.

    The letter was copied to the Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki and Speaker, House of Representatives, Mr Yakubu Dogara.

    Others are: The Minister of Education; Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission; Director-General, Nigerian Law School and the Vice-Chancellor, NOUN. ‎

  • LAUTECH: NANS appeals to Oyo not to increase school fees

    LAUTECH: NANS appeals to Oyo not to increase school fees

    The National Association of Nigerian Students has appealed to the Oyo State Government not to increase tuition at Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, under the present economic realities in the country.

    The appeal was made on Saturday in a statement jointly signed by Bestman Okereafor and Moronkola Abiola, NANS’ National Public Relations Officer and Chairman of Joint Campus Committee, respectively.

    They said that NANS would not tolerate any form of students oppression as the leadership of the association is set to mediate matters confronting the students in the institution.

    “This is not excluding the issue of alleged planned increments in school fees, ranging from N250,000 to N300,000 based on the discipline.’’

    According to the statement, the alleged planned fee increase is unjust.

    “The general public should remember that LAUTECH was under lock and keys for two years as a result of workers’ agitation for payment of salary and incentives.

    “It is therefore unfair to risk any further alteration in the university’s academic calendar as a result of this planned tuition hike.

    “That is why we pray it does not happen.’’

    NAN