₦airaland Forum

ACCEPTANCE SPEECH BY COMR. DIRI STANLEY SOLOMON, THE NEWLY ELECTED NATIONAL PRESIDENT OF
NATIONAL UNION OF RIVERS STATE STUDENTS (NURSS) WORLD WIDE

Distinguished Leaders, esteemed Stakeholders, revered Life Members, members of the Electoral Committee, my fellow students of Rivers State, ladies and gentlemen,

I stand before you today with a deep sense of humility, responsibility, and gratitude. On behalf of myself and my newly elected and inaugurated Executive Council, I sincerely thank you all for the confidence you have reposed in us by electing us to serve as the leadership of our great union.

This victory is not mine alone; it belongs to every Rivers State student who believes in a better, stronger, and more united NURSS. Your trust is a call to duty, and we do not take it lightly.

We wish to particularly appreciate the Chairman of the Electoral Committee and its members for conducting a transparent, credible, and peaceful election. Your commitment to fairness and integrity has strengthened our democratic process, and for this, we are truly grateful.

To all Rivers students, we assure you of our readiness to serve with integrity, honesty, and dedication. We are determined to restore the lost glory of NURSS and reposition it as a formidable voice for students. Indeed, Rivers students deserve better—we have endured challenges for too long, and the time for change is now.

Rivers State remains a major contributor to the development of this nation, and it is only just that our students are given the opportunity to develop and thrive. Our administration will actively engage with relevant authorities to advocate for the payment of bursary allowances and other forms of student support. We will also introduce educational and informative programs aimed at empowering our students and preparing them for the future.

Furthermore, we shall not relent in demanding the rights and welfare of Rivers students. Rivers State has the capacity to cater for its students, and we will ensure that this capacity is translated into tangible benefits.

We must also address the troubling state of our primary and secondary education system—poor learning environments, dilapidated classrooms, and a shortage of teachers. These challenges have hindered the performance of our students and limited their competitiveness. As a union, we will continue to raise our voices until meaningful improvements are achieved.

We commend the Rivers State Government, under the leadership of His Excellency, Similaye Fubara, GSSRS for approving the employment of 5,000 teachers for secondary schools. This is a commendable step in the right direction. However, we respectfully urge the government to extend its focus to educational infrastructure—renovating classrooms, equipping laboratories, and creating an enabling learning environment. We also call for the prompt payment of student bursaries and the provision of direct support to students, ensuring that education receives the highest priority it deserves.

Our administration will be student-centered. We will ensure inclusiveness, giving every chapter a voice and a sense of belonging. Together, we will rebuild NURSS into an enviable institution—one that reflects the pride, strength, and excellence of Rivers State students.

Finally, we acknowledge the efforts of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for initiatives aimed at supporting students, including access to educational funding. We, however, appeal for a review of certain economic policies to ease the burden on students and reduce the rising cost of living.

In conclusion, I call on every Rivers State student to join hands with us. The task ahead is great, but together, we can achieve even greater things. Let us unite, let us rise, and let us restore the glory of NURSS.

Thank you, and may God bless Rivers State students....