NANS denies planned protest against choice of Chelles as Super Eagles coach

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has dissociated itself from a purported nationwide protest against the appointment of Eric Sekou Chelle as coach of Super Eagles.

NANS was reacting to a report credited to one Abdul-Yekinn Odunayo, who claims to be the Clerk of NANS Senate, threatening a nationwide protest over the appointment of Chelle.

NANS Senate President, Afeez Akinteye, in a statement, said the person holds no position in the organisation as claimed, asking NFF to disregard the threat of protest.

Akinteye described the position of the clerk as baseless, and fraudulent, which does not represent the stance of the leadership of NANS or sentiments of students nationwide.

Akinteye said: “We unequivocally dissociate ourselves from the disingenuous utterances of these self-appointed individuals, whose credentials and affiliation with NANS are dubious at best.

“It is evident that they are criminals attempting to exploit the respected name of NANS for nefarious blackmail and financial inducement. We call on security agencies to immediately invite and investigate these impostors for impersonation and an attempt to incite public unrest. Their recklessness constitutes a direct affront to the credibility and integrity of NANS as an institution.

“To the media, we express our disappointment in the unprofessionalism exhibited by platforms that lent their voices to these fallacious claims without verifying the authenticity of their sources.

“It is the duty of reputable media outlets to uphold journalistic standards and desist from amplifying unsubstantiated narratives. The press must demonstrate more responsibility by verifying the identities and affiliations of individuals before granting them access to platforms capable of influencing public perception.

“On the appointment of Eric Sekou Chelle, NANS acknowledges and respects the prerogative of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to make technical decisions that they believe will advance the fortunes of Nigerian football. We implore the NFF to remain resolute in its professional decisions and ignore the empty threats of protest by nonentities masquerading as NANS representatives”.

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The student leader, however, urged the NFF to extend their scouting activities to Nigerian campuses, saying there is a plethora of untapped football talents residing in the country.

“Ultimately, let it be known that no organ of NANS, at any level, has endorsed or proposed any protest against the appointment of Eric Sekou Chelle as the Super Eagles coach. Any claims to the contrary are the concoctions of desperate impostors whose agenda remains suspect and antithetical to the progress of Nigerian students,” he added.