The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has adopted Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki, as the venue for its 2018 national convention, a communique has said.
The communiqué which was made available to newsmen in Abuja was issued at the end of NANS 74th national senate meeting/pre-convention held at Niger state College of Education, Minna.
The communiqué signed by NANS senate president, Mr Taiwo Bamigbade, said that the tenure of incumbent NANS leadership had long elapsed constitutionally, hence the need for a convention and election.
He said that NANS senate unanimously affirmed the need for more transparent, fair and credible electioneering to enhance unity of students as well as to avert crisis during and after the convention.
“The senate adopted Ebonyi state as venue for 2018 national convention; more so, the convention planning committee shall be constituted and presented to the public after due consultation with relevant stakeholders.
“The senate tentatively resolved that the convention will hold from May 17 to 20 at the above mentioned venue to be confirmed on the basis of viability by the committee,’’ he said.
In related development, the communiqué condemned the allocation of only 7.4 per cent of annual budget to education as against 26 per cent UNESCO standards recommendation, and called on the National Assembly to raise the education vote before the passage of appropriation bill or face mass protest by Nigerian students.
NANS senate, in the communiqué, applauded federal government and in particular, the Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing under Mr. Babatunde Fashola for the Energising Education Project (EEP).
“The EEP project will be of immense benefit to Nigerian students therefore, we call for the unconditional lift of embargo on the execution of the project.
The senate reminded ministry of power that public tertiary institutions in Nigeria are of three categories and over 254 are affiliates of NANS. It therefore, expressed strong dissatisfaction on the choice of only 38 universities.
The communiqué urged the federal government to be wary of any action capable of promoting discrimination among students stressing that students are entitled to equal and fair treatment.
It also commended the Federal Ministry of Education for the planned introduction of Psychometrics as GST Course in all tertiary institutions in the country because of its benefits to students.
Psychometrics is a field of study concerned with the objective measurement of skills and knowledge, abilities, attitudes, personality traits, and educational achievement.
On the reoccurring killings in southern Kaduna, Benue, Plateau and Taraba states, NANS senate called for the immediate deployment of soldiers to forestall further destruction of life and property.
