‘Why we’re promoting students rights’
Comrade Usman Ayuba is a HND II student of Department of Business Administration at Jigawa State Polytechnic. He is the newly elected Zone A Coordinator of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS). He spoke about his motivations in this piece. the campus during the period. of inspiration to lead a After my tenure, I was prevailed revolutionary leadership that upon to contest for Zonal will reclaim the lost glory of the Coordinator of Zone A, NANS educational system and more and I thank the Almighty God importantly it motivates me to for the success recently at the challenge the unfair status quo Minna Convention in Niger towards education in Nigeria. State.
The passion to improve students’ welfare drives my activities
My desire to venture into students unionism was driven by the passion I have to contribute my quota towards the improvement of the welfare of students, I started as the Welfare Director of the Students Union Government (SUG) of my institution during my National Diploma days and because of my unwavering commitment and success, I was elected as SUG President. We implemented laudable programmes and projects aimed at ameliorating the challenges students face in
My aspiration is to see that schools have better conditions for students
My major driving force stems from the fundamental fact that Nigerian students are continuously faced with the issue of decay in infrastructures, facilities and teaching/learning culture in our tertiary institutions. This unfortunate situation and many more problems have been a source of depression and simultaneously a source
My plans for students as Coordinator of NANS Zone A are…
To lead a responsible and consultative leadership with the SUG Presidents of higher institutions of learning in Zone A to initiate programme of action that will galvanize the students to serve as active resistance group against the violation of students’ right on campuses, reinstatement of all politically victimized students among others.
For the present challenges faced by students, my administration will continue to mount a credible pressure on governments to demand for better and improved funding to meet the UNESCO recommendation of setting aside 26 per cent budgetary allocation to the education sector. And we would give solidarity to the ASUU struggle until government meet its demands and settle all outstanding all Academic and Non-academic staff issues.
We urge FG to intervene on the ASUU strike
The entire executive, senate and zonal structures of NANS are united and have therefore issued a unified press statement concerning the matter. The industrial action by ASUU is a child of necessity and we condemn the federal government in strongest terms for making the academic environment unhealthy and appeal that it explores the path of honesty and act with wisdom to honour the ASUU-FG 2009 agreement.