No more awards to politicians – NANS

The National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, has banned students’ union bodies in Nigerian tertiary institutions to stop giving awards to politicians, private and public organizations.

The newly elected president, Bamidele Danielson said in an interview with our correspondent on Sunday.

“I have placed an embargo on all forms of awards till we get it right as an association,” he said.”I will like to tell the politicians that the new sheriff in town.”

Speaking at Lagos State Polytechnic in March, Adams Oshiomole, the National Chairman of All Progressive Congress (APC) condemned NANS for keeping quiet on issues affecting their colleagues in several schools.

“In NANS of today who go mute on burning societal issues and are giving awards and giving plaques to government officials and other influential persons,” said Mr Oshiomole said.

In 2015, some activists and social critics slammed the NANS for naming the Senator representing the Ogun-East senatorial district, Buruji Kashamu, as the ‘Golden Man of the Year’.

Reacting to the award then, Itse Sagay, Chairman, Presidential Advisory Committee on Corruption, said the decay in NANS was a reflection of government and society.

“Our body polity has been affected by a disease. I am not surprised that students can call Buruji Kashamu their hero when senators passed a vote of confidence in Saraki because he is undergoing a criminal trial. Of course, I know Saraki has not been sentenced but this disease has also infected students,” Mr Sagay said.

A Lagos-based lawyer, Ebun-olu Adegboruwa, who was also the Student Union President at the Obafemi Awolowo University in 1992 said “The situation of Nigeria demands that students should be progressives who work in the interest of the masses and should be concerned about their future. During our time, we never did such.”

Lanre Arogundade, who was the NANS president from 1984 to 1985, said they only gave awards to deserving Nigerians during his time, adding that NANS bestowed the title of the ‘Senior Advocate of the Masses’ on the late activist, Chief Gani Fawehinmi (SAN).