National Telescope national telescope newspaper
By Abel Olatunde
The newly elected President of the National Association of Nigerian Students, Pedro Obi, has assured that his administration will resist any attempt by individuals to control it, a statement said.
The Ph.D. student of guidance and counseling at Delta State University emerged as president after defeating his closest rival, Lucky Emonefe, during the national convention held at the old parade ground in Abuja.
Addressing journalists during a press conference in Abuja, Obi promised to resolve the challenges confronting the association.
He said, “The convention is successfully over, and as espoused in my campaign manifesto, it is a new dawn for the students. The 3 C’s—capacity, content, and competence—which I promised to bring to bear will be fully utilised in serving and protecting the interests of Nigerian students.
“This administration shall strive to work with the utmost intellectual sagacity in resolving challenges that may confront us. But we assure you that we shall not be tools in individuals’ hands at the detriment of their interests. Ours shall solely be tailored to restoring order and dignity and eliminating all anti-educational policies against the students as we collaborate with the federal government and government at all levels to uplift the Nigerian educational sector.
“Let us at this junction call on the general public to give the necessary solidarity and support to the newly elected NANS President and his executives as we begin to consciously serve as the voice of the voiceless and genuinely defend the interests of Nigerian students.”
Speaking on the crisis that erupted at the convention, he said, “As you may recall, the NANS National Convention was slated for November 27–30, 2023, in Abuja, and student leaders across tertiary institutions mobilised themselves to Abuja for elections of a new leadership.
“Unfortunately, and as you may have seen, certain individuals masquerading as government agents picked unnecessary interest in our organization to the extent of making strong attempts at forcefully imposing unpopular leaders against the popular choices of the students. Many biases, such as political party affiliation, closeness to the corridor of power, and subtleness of candidates, were considered. However, the fierce resolve of student leaders who gathered frustrated these inimical attempts at hijacking the leadership of the organization. The senators resisted the imposition of Mr. Seyi Tinubu’s candidate, who is not a known student of any tertiary institution in Nigeria.”
