Bags NANS’ S/West Life Patron Award
Funmi Aregbesola
Aareonakakanfo of Yoruba land, Iba Gani Abiodun Ige Adams has urged the Leadership of National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) to demonstrate courage in pursuing a just cause in the interest of all Nigerian students.
Speaking at his Omole Phase 2 residence,in Ikeja,Lagos, while receiving the NANS’ South West Life Patron award,Aare Gani Adams bemoaned the dwindling education sector,saying the prolonged strike embarked on by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU),had only helped in increasing insecurity across the country.
The Yoruba generalissimo,who described the students as leaders of tomorrow,said past leaders of the union remained the symbol of the struggle,even as he urged the students to toe the line of honour in pressing for their demand.
“I was a beneficiary of the struggle of NANS heroes.I grew up to learn about students activism and struggle from past NANS President and leaders like Segun Mayeigun, Abiodun Kolawole,Femi Obayori.
I have also benefitted from the struggle of legal luminaries and intellectuals like the late chiefs Gani Fawehinmi,Beko Ransome Kuti, Femi Aborishasde,Femi Falana and Alao Aka Basorun.These are great men that taught us the way of the struggle and I am proud to be a product of that struggle.
Adams ,who berated the Federal Government’s role in sinking the boat of the education sector,urged the students to remain committed to a brighter future, insisting that the hope of a great nation lies in the ability of every government to secure the future of the students through good education policy.
“It is unfortunate that anytime issues were raised about the Nigerian students, the Federal government responded with impunity as if students’ lives didn’t matter to the them.It was not like that in the olden days.
“NANS represented hope and the future of a great nation but today, things have changed because Nigerian leaders and politicians have infiltrated them.
“Today Nigeria loses over 15 billion dollars to educational tourism abroad,even as Nigerians were being denied students visa abroad. It is sad.”
He, however,expressed appreciation to the students for counting him worthy of the award, saying he would use his position to assist the cause of the students and also continue to represent the hope of the downtrodden .
Meanwhile,in his remarks, South West Coordinator of NANS, Comrade Adejuwon Olatunji,said the leadership of the union decided to confer the honour on the Aare Onakakanfo of Yoruba land,Iba Gani Abiodun Ige Adams because of his contributions to the progress and development of the region.
He stated also that the conferment of the prestigious honour on Aare Adams was to appreciate his courage as one of the heroes that the union looks up to for advice and support.
“The reason for the award is to appreciate our father who,by virtue of this award, remains the first holder of our life Patronship award.
“We are using this opportunity to build lasting relationship with the Yoruba generalissimo,in all areas of our activities” The NANs South West team that visited Adams include the Deputy Coordinator,Alao John, Public Relation Officer,(PRO) Awoyinfa Opeoluwa,Comrade Olaide Ebenezer, Comrade Owoade Teslimot ,Comrade Paul Efekulu, and Comrade Anuoluwa Eksu among others
