By Uche Amunike
Umar Faruk Lawal of the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, has just emerged the newly elected NANS President, Saturday, after the election held during the union’s convention held at the Old Parade Ground, Abuja.
Speaking, through a statement by the newly elected NANS President, he assured that his leadership will form a partnership with the federal government and security agencies in order to address the insecurity in the country and seek ways to proffer workable solutions for securing lives and property of Nigerians.
His words: ‘The primary duty of any government is the security of the lives and properties of its citizens. It’s an indictment on the system and the leadership of our Nation if people are living as hostages in their home country. However, we recognise the fact that security should be our collective effort, My leadership is ready to partner with the Federal Government and security agencies to brainstorm and proffer workable templates for the security of lives and properties in our beloved nation.’
He has also promised to extend the partnership to the leadership of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) in order to find ways to end the 6-month strike, stressing that failure to end it in the nearest future will elicit a decisive action from Nigerian students.
Hear him: ‘We acknowledge the fact that our dear nation is presently passing through a tough time, and we are ready to be partners in progress as we shall work together with other relevant authorities to bring normalcy back to the system.’
‘It is disheartening to see university students at home for the past 6 months. The fact that the leadership of ASUU and the Federal government have held a series of meetings without a fruitful outcome is heartbreaking, NANS, under my leadership, is ready to be the genuine voice of the Students in this negotiation as we demand an immediate end to the prolonged industrial actions, Failure to have resolution within the shortest period available will be faced with decisive action from Nigerian Students.’
In his speech, the newly elected NANS President also decried the dwindling state of the Nigerian economy and promised that his administration will work hand-in-hand with the proper authorities to bring a lasting solution to the challenges of high inflation, brain drain and unemployment.
Hear him: ‘Nigeria’s economy has continuously experienced a pathetic downtown, Inflation is on the high side, unemployment is increasing, debt is piling up while our currency falls like a downpour on a daily basis, Braindrain is another issue that poses a challenge to the future. It is indeed a hard time to be a Nigerian. NANS, under my leadership, is ready to partner with the Federal Government and other necessary authorities to provide a lasting solution to these challenges’.
Faruk is a 3rd year student of Library Science at the Bayero University, Kano. He defeated his closest opponent, Usman Barambu after garnering 202 votes out of the total 310 votes cast during the election.
