Dennis Erezi
Factional leaders of National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) have announced ceasefire and collapsed structure with the Lucky Emonefe-led leadership to form a formidable force in the struggle for welfare of students and advancement of education in the country.
Speaking at a joint news conference in Abuja at the weekend, factional Senate President of NANS, Elvis Ekundina, said the protracted leadership crisis has been amicably resolved, adding that Lucky Emonefe has been endorsed as the authentic NANS President.
Other factions, he stressed, have agreed to work with him in the interest of Nigerian students.
He said he has led the entire Senate Secretariat comprising Deputy Senate President, Philip Achagwa; Vice President, Jabir Aminu and other executive members of the Pedro Obi-led faction to the news conference to announce to the world that NANS is now one body ready to fight for the interest of Nigerian students.
According to him, Nigerian students have been deprived of so many benefits which they are entitled from the Federal Government because of the division and rivalry within the organisation that is supposed to fight for their interest.
“This is coming as a result of the obvious plight and purposeful leadership demonstrated by his Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu who has progressively kept to his campaign promises to youth and students in the establishment of Nigerian Students Loan fund for the indigent Nigerian students who cannot afford to pay their school fees in pursuant of their tertiary education career.
“NANS as an umbrella body of all Nigerian Students both at home and in diaspora needs to be united and benefit from this landmark initiative of the Renewed Hope Agenda.
“Let me also state that it is on record that we were not pressured by anybody or any individual in making this decision but rather, the interest of our constituents.
“We want to reiterate that the interest of our domain/constituents remains sacrosanct and of utmost priority to us as young emerging leaders of this great country,” he said.
Responding, NANS President, Lucky Emonefe, said he was glad that the other faction has decided to collapse its structure with the main NANS leadership, saying that means that the Association would be speaking with one voice.
Emonefe said he had earlier noted that the crisis was an internal issue and that it was a good thing that all parties have agreed to work together in the interest of Nigerian students.
“We disagree to agree. NANS leadership under me will be united to seriously advocate specially for the interest, the yearning and aspirations of Nigerian students. We now have a formidable force in the country. We don’t have divided house any longer. We are together, we are united and we will fight for the rights and privileges of the Nigerian students,” he noted.
