Awka: The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) Zone F South East Chapter has expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his consistent support of the Nigerian student community. This acknowledgment comes in light of recent initiatives, such as the approval of CNG buses for students nationwide and the introduction of student loans aimed at reducing dropout rates due to financial challenges.
According to Voice of Nigeria, during a press briefing in Awka, Anambra State, Comrade Charles Ijeomah, Southeast Coordinator of NANS Zone F, urged the President to appoint a qualified candidate as the Rector of Federal Polytechnic Oko in Anambra State. He emphasized that such an appointment would foster improved academic performance and enhance peace within the institution. Ijeomah stressed the importance of selecting the best candidate to maintain the institution’s status as a leading educational establishment.
Ijeomah also expressed gratitude to the National President of NANS, Lucky Omoneye,
for his dedication to revitalizing the association to better advocate for student interests. Additionally, he acknowledged the appointment of Bianca Ojukwu as Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, expressing thanks to President Tinubu for this recognition.
The NANS Zone F leader further commended NANS Senate President Akinteye Afeez for promoting the welfare of Nigerian students and praised the Senior Special Adviser to the President on student engagement, Sunday Asheton, for his ongoing support. Ijeomah highlighted the deteriorating state of roads in the southeast region, which has led to accidents and security issues for students, calling for federal intervention to address these challenges. He also urged southeast governors to revitalize NANS transportation schemes to enhance accessibility and safety for students.
In his comments, Ijeomah praised Anambra State Governor Charles Soludo for his contributions to education and infrastructure, including free education from nursery to secondary level and compr
ehensive healthcare for pregnant women. He also appealed for reduced taxes on NANS bus drivers to lower transportation costs for students, emphasizing the need for student exemptions in transportation policies.
Ijeomah extended his praise to Abia State Governor Alex Otti for achievements in infrastructure and education, and congratulated the newly appointed Vice Chancellor of Abia State University, Professor Okeudo, along with the pro-Chancellor and governing council members for their efforts. He also thanked Ebonyi State Governor Francis Nwifuru for providing a conducive environment during NANS’s recent convention that led to the current leadership change.
Comrade Ernest Okafor, NANS National Director of Sports, echoed the call for a review of taxes on student transportation, urging state governments to negotiate these taxes to alleviate pressures on students. The National Vice President of the National Association of Nigerian Colleges of Education Students (NANCES), Comrade Obi Christian, expressed gratit
ude to President Tinubu for the student loan initiative, encouraging students to actively participate in the program.
The NANS Zone F South East Chapter, representing Anambra, Enugu, Ebonyi, Abia, and Imo States, collectively appealed to President Tinubu for the timely appointment of a substantive Rector for Federal Polytechnic Oko, underscoring the need for effective leadership to enhance the educational landscape.