Last week the National Association of Nigerian Students under the South West umbrella(Zone D) presented an award to Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola for his reduction of tution fees in Lagos State University. This award has however drawn the wrath of several people who opines that the award wouldn’t have been given. An Alumnus of the school who joined in the fight against the increment, Lateefat Odunuga bares her mind on the development…


Without mincing words, the interests of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) have taken a different direction in recent times. It is unfortunate that the students’ movement has lost all the Radical, Cardinal and Fundamental Fibres it was widely known for. Some touts have turned NANS to their fathers’ heritage. It is painful that some non-students have hijacked the opportunity to rule the students’ movement. Every association needs a leader and every leader needs a command. No matter how cooperative and devoted individuals within an association may be, they cannot be expected to work efficiently together by following their own whims and desires.
By the virtue of the Celestial Constitution of NANS, it is difficult to differentiate between the students and non-students as everyone is claiming the right to belong to the association. Suffice it to say that, the activities of NANS are fundamentally flawed. Recently, NANS Zone-D presented a ‘certificate of commendation’ to the Governor of Lagos State. In addition, he was given the title of ‘senior advocate of Nigerian Students” (SANS) by NANS Zone-D. Their flimsy excuse was because he reversed LASU’s Tuition fees to #25,000 after 3years of 725% increase. Also, an award was presented by NANS to an ex-convict, Thief Bode George, giving him the “Mandela Icon Award”. When did NANS become an award institution body? The embarrassment caused by NANS was at its peak when they presented a certificate of credence to Dame Patience Jonathan a.k.a Pachy baby for “her pursuit of peace and empowerment of women and youths”. It is funny that the NANS president has endorsed President Jonathan for 2015. Chai! What an insult!
Unfortunately, the students led dealers, sorry leaders, have decided to kill the future of millions of youths in the nation. There is need for clarification from the NANS awarding bodies: Can Yaqub Eleto, Sunday Ashefon and Tunde Agbabiaka (non-student) justify their reasons for awarding an individual that has inflicted myriad of pains on LASU students? How many students sent Yinka Gbadebo to endorse Uncle Jona for a second term? Please, a comprehensive list of those students is needed. Let NANS outline the similarities between Mandela and Bode George thus qualifying him for such an award.
It is obvious that NANS is now a money-making venture and a scope-manufacturing centre that is widely known for distributing awards and endorsing corrupt political leaders in the country. With NANS as an ordinary Label for Youth dealers, the nation is indeed in a palpable state and the youths are directionless. However, the zeal to make money from NANS has made some graduates to turn back to obtain Diploma form for election purposes. The hope restored by all Youths in the country is lost as NANS no longer serves the purpose for which it is created.
Conclusively, NANS has over lived its usefulness as it now remains an award-giving enterprise and political-endorsing platform. They are no longer operating as the fighting platform for Nigerian Students as their main mission is to siphon funds. NANS is long deeeeeeaaaaddddddddddddddddd!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well said. Wrong section though. I think OP should move this thread to education section.