NANS; BETRAYAL OF THE STUDENTS- KAZEEM ISREAL (GANI)

The National Association of Nigerian Students has in these days turned to be a paper-head tiger because of the insensitive of those that have been driving the ship of the organisation.

The leadership of NANS these days has turned themselves to be after money, fame and to wield unnecessary power for themselves in the long run. The love of oneself has over-ride the love of every other Nigerian Students. Last week, the President, National Association of Nigerian Students released a statement that all campuses in Nigeria should be locked in solidarising with Nigerian workers on the deregulation of the downstream sector.

Immediately, the President's release, I realised the eligibility of his words. Many people including me criticised the President for his directive because he did not even call a congress to debate on the issue before taking a decision. He only gave the directive based on his capacity as NANS President without even thinking on how realistic his directive would be.

To make our doubt real, he came out yesterday to say that the decision the President took by deregulating the downstream sector is welcomed by all Nigerian Students after he has been given a whooping sum. The question to ask Tijani Usman who parades himself as NANS President is that; on whose behalf is he speaking? Who are the students he is speaking for? Did he even consult any before supporting subsidy removal? Perhaps, he did that on his capacity as NANS President.

It must be noted that Tijani Usman, since he assumed the position of NANS President has been silent on issues bothering national interest. In fact, majority of Nigerian students did not know his name. He turned to be a figure-head tiger. The intellectual vibrancy and militancy of NANS totally degenerated when he assumed the post of NANS President.

To be sincere, the problem of NANS does not start from Tijani Usman, the problem of NANS is due to the inability of our leaders to see beyond the present narrow prism to face the challenges facing our noble organisation. NANS problem is the failure of leadership, the unwillingness or
inability of its leaders to rise to the challenge of building the noble organisation. They've forgotten our heroes' admonitions to us. Our rudderless and bumbling leaders have failed to lead a well-structured organisation as NANS to harness the talents of her vibrant, energetic and resilient members. NANS has been hijacked by jackasses, indolents, self-serving, myopic, impotents and non-radical comrades. We have to re-take our steps in order to build a
very strong organisation as we met it for posterity so they will have
something good to write about us. We have to rise up
to the occasion of the day because change is inevitable. We have to get rid of unscrupulous elements amongst us for this organisation to re-claim her lost glory and vibrancy.

It is on this note that I am urging all the stakeholders that would partake in the coming NANS election to vote for persons who are capable to drive the ship of the organisation before it sinks. Because, it is a duty that we owe this generation and generations unborn to bequeath to them better days so they won't see the present
abnormalities as the norm.We have to join our hands together to re-build and to safeguard the future of this great organisation. To we members, let's continue praying to God 'to replace our leaders longer throat in NANS with longly contentment.'
    
Mission to re-claim NANS!
     
DEAR TO STRUGGLE! DEAR TO WIN!
                      
Kazeem Olalekan Israel,
Member, Pacesetters Movement, OAU