' NANS Has Turned To A Political Organization '

Jude Ezeibe, a student of Agric Engineering at the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO), is the president of the National Association of Abia State Students (NAASS). In this interview with EMMANUEL AHANONU (Political Science, University of Calabar), he speaks on the challenges of being a students’ leader.

Why did you join students’ unionism?

It is because I have the passion to serve my fellow students and be their voice, so that they can be heard. I want to make sure that their welfare is guaranteed every time.

What are your objectives?

I want to give a voice to students. I also want to take the association of Abia students to a level where it will be respected by the government and the people as the mouthpiece of youths. Through our activities, we want to ensure that the Abia State government implements policies that will make the less-privileged among us to be proud of being an indigene of the state. I have also said my administration would pursue the disbursement of bursary and scholarship to students so that the indigent among us can go to school.

 Is there hope that the Abia government would pay bursary?

Of course! In fact, it is not being hoped for; it is being implemented. Since the creation of the state in August 1991, no government has deemed it necessary to pay bursary to students. This is why we must commend Governor Theodore Orji for taking steps to address students’ issues. So, we know the governor keeps promises and that we are expecting that he would not renege on his promise on bursary.

What are the challenges of leading Abia State students?

The challenges are enormous. But I must confess that the students are one of the challenges. Everyone expects to be attended to with the speed of light; they don’t even bother that we are also students. However, the greatest challenge has been funding. Notwithstanding, we have been trying our best and it is evident in the peace we have experienced since we were sworn in.

Do you think the association has fared better under Governor Orji?

Much of the success we have recorded was achieved because of the support and understanding of the governor, who is running a student-friendly administration. There has never been anytime we called on him on students’ issues and he ignored us. He has shown that he is a father to us. To show that he is serious about students’ welfare, he appointed one of us, Comrade Afulike Christian, as Special Adviser on Students’ Matters. But then, there are other promises including a bus to make running the association easy. We hope he will keep his promise.

What is your opinion on NANS crisis?

NANS is being turned to a political organisation, where money is playing a major role. It is painful to see this kind of things happening to a noble association that had played a vital role in democratic struggle of the nation. I am a member of NANS and I would not be happy hearing unprintable things about the association. It is even painful that the association is now being used by politicians for hooliganism. I use this medium to implore NANS officials to resolve their differences and chart a common agenda for students.

What is your advice for Abia students?

Let them be steadfast in their academic pursuit. They must continue to be law-abiding and diligent in everything they do because the future belongs to us. They must know that there is no sweet without sweat.

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