[color=#000099][/color]PRESS RELEASE

NATIONAL UNION OF RIVERS STATE STUDENTS (NURSS)
NATIONAL SECRETARIAT

08-07-2020

NURSS NATIONAL PAID A FAMILIARIZATION/SOLIDARITY VISIT TO HON. OHIA PRINCE OBI, THE HONOURABLE COMMISSIONER FOR YOUTH DEVELOPMENT RIVERS STATE.[/i]

A delegation from the union, led by Comr. Levi Zachariah George [/b]the national president, paid a familiarization/solidarity visit to [b]Hon. Ohia Prince Obi, [i]Rivers State commissioner for youth development.
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The meeting began with a brief introduction, after which, the president of the union, Comr. Zachariah Levi George thanked the commissioner for the audience granted to the union, amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

Comr. Zachariah on behalf of the union, gave the Honourable commissioner an award of excellence, as a means to congratulate him on his well deserved appointment, as the honourable commissioner for youth development Rivers State.

He went further to commend the commissioner and the ministry for the different programs organized, which were geared towards enhancing the welfare of Rivers State youths.

Comr. Zachariah spoke concerning the need for Rivers State students to be carried along in the activities of the ministry.

He expressed his displeasure in the fact that the union, which serves as the apex students body in Rivers State, was not informed and involved in the various activities of the Rivers State government.

He also informed the commissioner of the importance of the bursary scheme and scholarships previously enjoyed by students, pleading for the ministry to join the union in the request, for Rivers State government to remember how pertinent these privileges are to the students.

He also stated that most person who are currently occupying various exulted positions in the state passed through this process, and benefited, hence it will be wrong for the union to die under their rule.

In his words: "We are aware of that most persons currently occupying various exulted positions in the state, passed through this process."

"It is unfair that, these persons who benefited from this system will sit and watch a system that built them die."

The vice president, [i]Comr Elvis Osima Gogo also spoke on the issues raised by the president.

He went further to acknowledge the different projects executed by the governor in the various institutions, especially the Rivers State university, which is his own institution.

Comr. Elvis Osima Gogo stated that there is need for the students to benefit from the government through the bursary scheme and scholarship as well.

He ended by stating that the students of Rivers State participated fully in the last election, which they ensured the the governor emerged.

It will be unfair that the students are not being carried along, after all the efforts made by Rivers State students to ensure the emergence of this government.

In response, the Honourable commissioner, Hon. Ohia Prince thanked the students' leaders for deeming it necessary to familiarize with the ministry.

He made mention of the different structures erected, and the projects executed in the institutions, including the NURSS National secretariat which is a symbolic show of the love the governor has for the union.

The Honourable commissioner, Hon. Ohia Prince advised the leaders, to do their very best to ensure that cultism, exam malpractice, and other social vices are eradicated from the various institutions.

He spoke on the need for rivers state students to build their intellectual capacity.

He informed the leaders that the ministry will do their very best to ensure that the union and it's members will be carried along in all activities of the ministry.

The Honourable commissioner also promised the union will be allowed to play active roles in the forthcoming youth day, which is to hold on the 12th of August.

In his words: "All that have been said can be pointed to just one thing, the inclusiveness of Rivers State students in the affair of the ministry.

"I will assure you all that from now henceforth, Rivers students will be included in all activities of the union."

"On 12 of August which is youth day, I am assuring you that Rivers students will be carried along in whatever activity, the ministry is organising."

Hon. Ohia Prince went further to speak on the issues raised concerning bursary and scholarships for Rivers State students.

He went further to inform the students that even if the issue of bursary should be directed to the ministry of education, the ministry of youth development will do their best to communicate with the commissioner for education as see how they can come in.

He informed the leaders that in the past, those put in charge of these schemes have only used it as a platform to enrich themselves, instead of doing the right thing.

He went further to assure the students that the governor being a lover of education, has in mind to give the students what they are asking for.

In his words: " believing that Nurss will behave well, the ministry will speak to the ministry of education on the importance of bursery and scholarships for Rivers State students"

"in the past, Scholarships are most times given to the rich and not the less privileged, who needs it"

"The Governor is investing rightly, he is full of knowledge, let's present ourselves well to enable the governor see us fit to work with."

The permanent secretary of the ministry, who was also present, addressed the leaders stating that, he understands that In summary NURSS needs inclusiveness.

He laid more emphasis on what the commissioner had earlier said:

"As the commissioner says, avoid drug abuse, cultism and malpractice and think of ways that you can be of great use to the society and the world at large."

"We will not deviate from our mandate, which is centered around Rivers State youths and the ministry will help speak with ministry of education on the issue of bursary and scholarships for Rivers State students."

The meeting ended with prayers taken by [i]Comr. Zachariah Levi George[/i], the national president.

Viva Aluta

Signed:
Comr. Ellah Darlington
Public Relations Officer
National Union of Rivers State Students
National Secretariat