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Tag: -NANS

  • NANS appeals to labour to suspend proposed nationwide strike

    NANS appeals to labour to suspend proposed nationwide strike

    The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has called on the United Labour Congress (ULC) to reconsider its plans to embark on a nation-wide strike bearing in mind the fragile state of the economy.

    According to the body,  its appeal was based on the fact that the nation’s economy which is recovering from a recession may be further affected by the strike.

    In a statement issued by the National Public Relations Officer of NANS, Bestman Okereafor, on Tuesday and made available  to the Next Edition, the students urged the Federal Government to seriously dialogue and meet workers’ demands as much as possible.

    The statement reads in part; “The attention of the national leadership of all Nigerian students under the auspices of NANS has been drawn to the proposed nationwide industrial action to be embarked upon by some organised unions.

    READ ALSO: Labour set for nationwide strike

    “NANS has no doubt that if the planned strike should hold, it will greatly affect all sectors of the nation’s economy negatively, especially the students’ constituency.

    “Especially, considering the fact that Nigerians are just gradually moving out of the pain of the recent recession of the economy had on them.”

    It appealed to the Federal Government to as a matter of urgency look into the plights of workers and meet their demands.

    It would be recalled that the workers unions have jointly given the Federal Government a 14-day ultimatum which expires on Thursday, to press for the N65,000 being demanded as minimum wage.

    The leadership of the three unions, ULC, Nigeria Labour Congress, Trade Union Congress had harmonised their separate demands and agreed to peg the minimum wage at N65, 000.

  • C’: NANS lauds Buhari’s acceptance to sign bill

    C’: NANS lauds Buhari’s acceptance to sign bill

    The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has applauded President Muhammadu Buhari for agreeing to deepen democracy by signing the `Not-Too-Young-To-Run’ Bill.

    “By this action, President Buhari has demonstrated that he is a listening President and father who seeks for the betterment of the youths.

    “Nigerian students will continue to support Mr President’s programmes meant to better the lots of Nigerians,’’ NANS’ National President, Mr. Kadiri Aruna, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Enugu.

    Read also: Democracy Day: Live in peace and harmony for a better Nigeria, Buhari tells Nigerians

    According to him, the assertion of Mr. President was a welcomed developed.

    NAN reports that Buhari in his Democracy Day Speech on Tuesday, assured Nigerians that he will be joined by “few promising youths to sign the `Not-Too-Young-To-Run’ Bill soon.’’

    Kadiri noted that NANS and other pro-young people’s group had long waited for Mr. President’s positive stance on the bill.

    “This bill will deepen democracy and give all especially youths that constitute the bulk of population of the country as sense of belonging.

    “It will also make the political space more inclusive and dynamic as more young people will bring in their innovations,’’ he said.

    The students’ leader, however, urged political parties in the country to implement the provisions of the bill when signed into law to create a space for young people to contribute to nation’s growth and progress. (NAN)

  • PTI, NANS agree on tuition fee reduction

    The National Association of Nigeria Students (NANS) has resolved the stand-off  between it and the management of the Petroleum Training Institute (PTI), Effurun, Delta over tuition fee increase.

    NANS president, Mr Chinonso Obasi, led some executive members of the association to engage the management of PTI in a constructive dialogue inside the institution’s premiseson Tuesday.

    NANS had on Monday issued a 24-hour ultimatum to PTI ’s management to reverse the approved schedule of charges for 2017/2018 academic year in which tuition fee was increased by 130 per cent.

    The dialogue which commenced in the morning lasted until night before the management led by the PTI Principal, Prof. Sunny Iyuke, agreed to shift ground.

    Iyuke said that the institution was underfunded and needed to execute a lot of projects.

    “The school fee has increased because the costs of things have also risen. Four years ago, we were paying N14,000 as school fee but things have changed.

    “We want to provide quality education for our students; this proposed fee is just an initial; we should be realistic.

    “We need funding to be able to justify the purpose for which PTI was established,” he said.

    The Professor of Chemical and Process Engineering who was appointed in July 2016 said that the institution was operating on loans.

    READ ALSO: FG to launch first African Sovereign Green Bond in December

    Speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) shortly after the extensive deliberation, Obasi said that the previous fee for General Welding was N51,000, ND 1, N42,000 and HND 1, N43,000.

    He said that the management increased the tuition for General Welding to N115, 800, ND 1, N99, 800 and HND 1, N103, 800.

    The NANS president said that after the dialogue, the PTI management agreed to shift ground by slashing down the fee to N81, 600 for General Welding, N67, 200 for ND 1 and N68, 800 for HND 1.

    “We came to PTI upon 24- hour ultimatum given to the management to give an unconditional reversal in the tuition fee that was increased and the management quickly invited us for a dialogue.

    “There was about 130 per cent increment and we have been able to bring it down to 60 per cent in the sense that the institution is underfunded.

    “It is a pity that a national asset like this has been abandoned by the Federal Government.

    “We have agreed to partner the institution to see how we can generate more funds from other sources for the institution,” he said.

    Obasi appealed to the institution’s management to always create the enabling environment to dialogue with students on issues.

    He also advised the students to take their academic work seriously assuring that the association would continue to negotiate and dialogue on their behalf.

    In the course of the deliberation, a minute silence was observed in honour of the late Dauda Mohammed, former NANS president, 2011/2012, who was buried a month ago.

  • NANS loses ex-president, Dauda

    NANS loses ex-president, Dauda

    The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has announced the death of Mr. Dauda Mohammed, a former national president of the association.

    He died at the age of 38 after a protracted illness.

    NANS’ President, Comrade Chinonso Obasi, who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja, said Mohammed died on Sunday enroute India where he had gone for medical treatment.

    Obasi said that the mail sent to him by Artemis Group of Hospitals, Delhi, India indicated that Mohammed passed on five minutes before landing at Delhi Airport.

    He said that the mail indicated that the hospital would conduct an autopsy on October 3 after which his remains would be released for transportation back to Nigeria.

    Mohammed departed Abuja for India on September 30 to receive treatment for liver cirrhosis.

    The Niger State Government had released N14 million to foot the medical bill after an appeal by NANS.

    “We declare one month mourning and national action against cancer as we pray God to console his family.

    “We also declare a national action against cancer and appeal to the governments at all levels to be more proactive on issues pertaining to the health of citizens.

    “Medical facilities in Nigeria should be standardised to enable our medical personnel handle complex forms of sicknesses,’’ Obasi said.

    The NANS president said that Mohammed’s family had been informed of his demise.

    Born in 1979, Mohammed was NANS’ President from 2011 to 2012.

    He attended the University of Jos (UNIJOS).

  • NANS applauds JAMB over N5bn remittance to FG

    NANS applauds JAMB over N5bn remittance to FG

    The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has commended the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) for remitting the sum of N5 billion to the coffers of the federal government.

    NANS’ President, Mr. Chinonso Obasi, in a statement on Sunday in Abuja, said such remittance from JAMB within a short period under the leadership of Prof. Is-haq Oloyede showed a great deal of probity.

    Obasi said that he was in support of the federal government’s move to probe the former administrations of JAMB and the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA).

    He urged the federal government to extend the probe to other agencies.

    The Federal Executive Council, FEC, presided by President Muhammadu Buhari recently ordered the probe of past heads of JAMB and NIMASA over poor remittances in the past.

    The Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, told the FEC that JAMB for the first time remitted N5 billion to the government with a balance of N3 billion still to be remitted.

    She said it was a big difference when compared to maximum N3 million per annum remitted in the past.

    Obasi said that the remittance of such amount from a non-focal revenue generating agency of government underscored the importance of transparency in the administration and management of government business.

    “The development is highly commendable and all heads of federal government agencies and parastatals should emulate the registrar of JAMB.

    “I urge President Buhari to beam his eagle eyes on all other agencies of the federal government to ensure that all loopholes that encourage corrupt practices are prevented and blocked.

    “Corruption is evil and the worst thing that can happen to a country in dire need of financial resources for development.

    “I wonder why any right thinking person would choose to abuse public trust bestowed on him by engaging in corrupt practices, stealing public funds that can be used in addressing other development challenges,’’ he said.

    Obasi called on Nigerians occupying public offices to endeavour to be responsible and patriotic in the management of government businesses.

    He reiterated his call for the inclusion of the association in anti-corruption fight in order to stamp out the scourge and channel resources to critical needs of national development.

    He said that the association would reach out to federal government agencies with a view to fostering interaction and building leadership capacity for Nigerian students.

  • Strike: NANS seeks constructive engagement between FG, ASUU

    Strike: NANS seeks constructive engagement between FG, ASUU

    The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has called on the federal government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities to engage in constructive efforts to solve the problems that brought about the ongoing strike.

    The students association has given the federal government a 21-day ultimatum to resolve the issues to enable students return to school failure which it would  shut all activities across nation.

    The students body decried the incessant and prolonged strike as one of the factors responsible for the falling standard of education in Nigeria.

    According to the president of NANS, Comrade Chinonso Obasi, incessant strikes and stoppage of academic activities as a result of lack of agreements or lack of adherence and implementation of duly executed memorandum of agreements between the Federal Government and ASUU did not reflect and demonstrate commitment to the sustainable development of the nation’s education sector.

    He said it did also not enhance the nation’s human capital development.

  • Cut off marks: NANS demands reversal

    Cut off marks: NANS demands reversal

    The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) under the leadership of Comrade Chinonso Obasi has condemned the recent backwards review of the cut off marks for admission into tertiary institutions in Nigeria.

    The cut off mark for universities has been reduced from 180 to 120 while the one for the polytechnic which was put at 165 has been reduced to 100.

    NANS described the exercise as a gross misplacement of priority and exercise in futility.
    According to the NANS president knowledge acquisition was a function of determination and hard work and so if over the years, students were able to work hard to meet cut off points, it didn’t make any logical sense to lower the standard.

    It insisted that the inability of any student to meet the cut off points was a function of outright indolence that should not be encouraged.

    Obasi insisted that Nigerian youth were intelligent and willing to learn.

    He argued that because of the enabling environment provided by tertiary institutions abroad, Nigerian students who went to school abroad were known to study and come out with exemplary performance.

    Obasi stated that the 21st century was driven by innovation and competitiveness and so lowering the entering level into tertiary institution would only further contribute to reducing the productivity and peak performance of young people seeking admission into the country’s higher institutions of learning.

    Next Edition… Always Ahead!

  • NANS welcomes Buhari, makes demands

    NANS welcomes Buhari, makes demands

    The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has expressed joy over the return of President Muhammadu Buhari to Nigeria after his medical vacation.

    In a statement issued on Sunday in Abuja, the president of the association, Comrade Chinonso Obasi, said the Nigerian students would continue to pray for the sustenance of his health, more wisdom, knowledge, understanding and energy to enable the provide the necessary leadership to move the nation forward.

    Obasi said as the president was settling down, his association would mobilize the leadership of Nigerian students to pay a special welcome back solidarity visit to him.

    He said during the visit, they would intimate him with certain developments in the nation’s educational sector and other issues of critical national importance.

    In the statement, Obasi condemned the killing of some lecturers of the University of Maiduguri and others by Boko Haram.

    He blamed the killing on the “the gross insensitivity of the Honourable Minister of State Petroleum who chose to embark on a dangerous exploration exercise in the Lake Chad region without consideration for the volatility of the region.”

    Read also: Nigerian leaders react to President Buhari’s return

    He called for the immediate parameter fencing of the university to protect the inhabitants.

    Ahead of the Buhari’s nationawide broadcast scheduled forMonday, Obasi called on him to consider the current issue of urgent national importance and speak on the prevailing indefinite strike declared by ASUU to ensure that Nigerian students return to school at the earliest convenient time.

    Obasi also complained that the government’s Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) did not take care of the interest of Nigerian universities and students.

    Obasi urged Buhari to use the opportunity of his return to quickly introduce a new sense of vigour into his administration by repositioning his cabinet “for effectiveness and efficiency by bringing on board, cerebral, competent, vibrant, contemporary and dynamic young people to herald and stimulate a whole new level of impetus and vibrancy in the< administration of the ailing economy.”

  • ASUU strike: NANS queries N1 billion National Economic Recovery and Growth Plan

    ASUU strike: NANS queries N1 billion National Economic Recovery and Growth Plan

    The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has warned that the ongoing strike embarked upon by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) comes with attendant unprecedented and untold challenges and hardship to both the students and parents.

    It therefore called on the federal government to urgently address the lingering issues that led to the strike.

    NANS also questioned the relevance of the over N1billion expended to develop the recently launched National Economic Recovery and Growth Plan.

    It said it did not have provisions for addressing the critical challenges of Nigerian universities and its students.

    The position of NANS is contained in a statement signed by its president, Comrade Chinonso Obasi.

    Said Obasi:  “NANS is of the considered opinion that human capital development is an integral component of the nations economic development and growth and so excluding appropriate considerations for the sustainable development of the nations institutions in a strategic roadmap for building a prosperous future for the country essentially to enhance the prospects of learning and development of young people and  to harness the resources for national development as critical assets in a strategic national development plan is only not an absurdity but an aberration that is grossly not acceptable.”

    Read also: Jong Un’s decision not to fire missiles was wise –Trump

    He added that the National Economic Recovery and Growth Plan was purported to contain a holistic solution to the numerous challenges bedeviling the nation and designed to engender not only the recovery of the nations ailing economy but one that would move the country forward towards building a sustainable and prosperous future for the country with the youth at the center.

    He emphasized that social inclusion and active participation of young people on issues that concerns them was a global trend and that the Nigerian students and youth could not continue to sit back and fold their arms while things went wrong.

    The need for the Nigerian students and youth to know about the contents of the National Economic Recovery and Growth Plan and how it directly impacts on their lives now and in the future and understand how they could actively participate in the implementation of the plan could not be overemphasized.

    He added:  “As critical stakeholders in the Nigerian Project, the leadership of NANS is mobilizing the Nigerian Students nationwide to demand explanations from the Federal Government as to why a whopping sum of over N1billion would be expended on document that is devoid of critical inclusions and provisions to address the challenges of the Nigerian Students and Youth as well as practical strategies to put an end to the germane and perennial issues that translate to the< incessant distortion of smooth learning the nations ivory towers.”

  • ASUU strike: NANS gives FG 21 days ultimatum

    ASUU strike: NANS gives FG 21 days ultimatum

    The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has given the federal government a 21 day ultimatum to grant the requests of the striking Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).

    ASUU commenced an indefinite nationwide strike on Sundayfollowing Federal Government’s failure to fulfill the 2009 agreement made with the union.

    While announcing the commencement of the strike, Prof. Biodun Ogunyemi, President of the union

    said the decision to embark on the industrial action was resolved at its emergency National Executive Council meeting held on Aug. 12.

    According to him, during the strike, “there shall be no teaching, no examination and no attendance of statutory meetings of any kind in any of our branches till government meets the union’s demands “.

    But in its reaction to the development, NANS national president, Mr Chinonso Obasi, while calling on the federal government to look at the demands of the lecturers said students would bring all activities to a halt if the government did not act fast.

    Read also: INTERVIEW: Nigeria’s Human Rights Record Better Under Osinbajo – Prof Odinkalu

    He said NANS would meet with the leadership of ASUU to find out what was the irreducible minimum in their demands.

    The group called on the federal government to, as a matter of urgency, attend to the needs of the lecturers in the best interest of the long suffering Nigerian students.

    NANS statement reads in part:  “It is with deep pain and regret that NANS received the news of another indefinite strike by ASUU over the Federal Government’s indifference to their plight.

    “Nigerian students sees the< breakdown in negotiations as a further proof that political leaders don’t care about their future.

    “Consequently, we wish to call on the Federal Government to do all it can to get ASUU back to the classrooms.

    “The demands of ASUU are reasonable and touch on the integrity of government, especially in the light of the fight against corruption.”