Opinion

NANS : From Radicalism to inessentialism

Published

5 months ago

December 2, 2023

By Adnan Mukhtar

The National Association of Nigerian Students NANS, an umbrella of more than 30 million students in Nigeria was known to be a radical force in the fight against corruption, an agency for national construction, a critique of the National economy and foreign policy. NANS of yesterday was as radical as the mass labour movements not just in Nigeria but internationally.

I decided to write this article for the benefit of upcoming student leaders, as a final year student in the University, I have eleven months to graduate as a student. Immediately after my graduation, I promise to disengage from student politics not for any other reason but because of my integrity and my great contribution in the fight against corruption.

I see being in students Union while I am no longer a student, either a drop out or a graduate as a form of corruption. That is what is happening in students Union in Nigeria. There are dominated by old crooks and corrupt youths that happens to be non students especially NANS.

However, it is my hope that there will be a positive aftermaths of this article that would manifest in ideologically and politically strengthen the Students Union and a new NANS.

As I said earlier, I am writing this for the benefit of our younger generation that may finds interest in students Union, as I was told the radicalism of NANS and the role it plays towards the restoration of democracy and democratization of education during the military regimes in Nigeria, let me give my readers a brief historical analysis of NANS, a radical student movement that evolved as the most important voice for a democratic society and a democratic, accessible educational system funded and managed effectively.

The National Association of Nigerian Students NANS, was formed in July 1980 at a meeting of students representatives and activists across the country held at the Yaba College of Technology Lagos after the proscription and banning of the National Union of Nigerian Students (NUNS) in 1978 by the Obasanjo regime, after a nation wide students unrest. The major objectives of NANS was encapsulated in the NANS charter of demand that was launched in December 1982. The charter of demands consists of the main objectives of NANS, it’s demands from the government and it’s constitutional doctrine as a guiding principle of how it operates.

The major objective is democratization of education at all levels, adequate funding of educational system from primary to tertiary level to the extent that every Nigerian has access to quality education.

The charter insisted that socio-economic justice and equality should form the basis of democracy.

NANS was a demonstration of youth radicalism, idealism and dogged commitment to an egalitarian society.

It is unfortunate that students Union of today and NANS have subjected to begging, mouthpiece and defendants of anti masses policies. Students are into NANS not only to fight for a just cause and the rights of themselves, but for materialistic gains. Holding meetings in expensive hotels and using huge amounts of money as a tool of winning elections.

Many of office aspirants in NANS are sponsored by government just to protect its interest and above all, if you are not financially stable, forget about NANS as delegates usually ask for money during elections. This is to show you how corrupt NANS is today.

I was worried when I saw this for myself in Gombe aborted 2016 NANS convention and the recent one conducted at old parade ground Abuja.

The aspirants for the presidential office have spent whooping millions just to clinch the presidential seat, if you see how money was spent by these aspirants and how desperate they are willing to win election, you will ask yourself that something is going wrong. One worst thing is that, it is happening under an administration that claims to be fighting corruption and mostly with support of the office of the special assistant to the president on youth and students affairs.

NANS have turned and changed from the radical stance it was known to inessentialism. NANS that was known to be an agency of National construction and it’s dogged resistance to Babangida’s structural adjustment programme has subjected itself to a critical mouthpiece of governmental policies either anti masses or not.

During the NANS convention of 2016 at Pantami stadium in Gombe, the federal government is doing it’s best to ensure the success of it’s own Aspirant Aruna Kadiri and even after it was aborted and an aspirant Chinonso Obasi who claimed to be from Ebonyi State University declared a faction, the government still ensured the emergence of it’s candidate Aruna Kadiri in the recent reconvened convention at old parade ground.

Both Kadiri, Chinonso Obasi and all the aspirants that contested are all claiming to be postgraduate students, some are in their early 40’s while the most youngest among them is Chinonso Obasi. I am doubting what a 40 year old is looking for as a student leader, most of the radical and left wing NANS leaders that we heard happens to be undergraduate students and that should be the tradition, it is not sensible to have a postgraduate student as NANS president when you compared the population of the undergraduate and that of the postgraduate. It looks as an incessant and unnecessary domination of right people.

I am sure, this will not happen in the NANS of yesterday, the radical students then will not allow and support this attitude.

NANS was known to have less involved itself from governmental affairs, it is unfortunate that the NANS we are currently having is fully involved and supportive to whatever policy the government has brought.

NANS was known in building alliances with some radical ideological movements like the progressive youth movement of Nigeria (PYMN) and Alliance of progressive students (APS) etc.

Today NANS, is a toothless bulldog to some unideological political parties in the country.

Upcoming student leaders need to know that the quest to rebuild NANS is a binding on them, NANS must be principled to it’s aims and objectives, the charter of demands should be amended and updated because of the current neo liberal policies in the country.

The upcoming students leaders should continue from where the radical former NANS leaders stopped, stick to its charter and aims and objectives, let them come into NANS with good intention of making the lives of students better.

The current happenings in NANS is a reflection of what is happening in Nigeria, problems of corruption, Alliance with governments and money mongering by students need to be addressed as the NANS we read about is not what we are seeing today. NANS has since turned to an inessential umbrella of Nigerian Students unless of it’s problems are addressed.

Adnan Mukhtar is the Secretary General of Northwest University, Students Council Kano. He was formerly a special assistant in NANS zone A. He wrote this article in December 2016 on his way to Kazaure, Jigawa State.

Opinion

Minimum Wage Increment: Be Proactive My Governor.

Published

5 hours ago

April 30, 2024

Nigerian Tracker

Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf

By-Abba Hamisu Sani

1st of May every year is a special day for workers in Nigeria working with the government or with the Private sector.

The main issue ahead of this year’s celebrations is the expectation of the new minimum wage Increment.

President Bola Tinubu is expected to announce the new salary scale as Vice President Senator Kashim Shatima hinted recently that by the 1st of May, the new minimum wage will be ready for implementation.

Here I want to salute the courage exhibited by the Edo State governor Godwin Obaseki who has increased the minimum wage for workers in the state from 40,000 naira to 70,000 naira ahead of the 2024 Workers Day celebrations.

This prompted my attention to urge my state governor Abba Yusuf to follow the suit of Edo State governor in this direction.

Kano workers suffered a lot in the hands of the immediate past administration, ranging from different kinds of deductions which causes uncertainty on the amount to be collected by a worker and even pensioners every month.

Governor Abba if you do the same as Obasaki, the Kano people will be happy with you as it will boost the state economy and currency circulation.

It is very imperative at this time to be proactive and not wait for the Federal government announcement before taking your step in making Kano workers happy.

Infrastructural development is quite needed but at this time social security is the most critical as it has been said “A hungry man is an angry man”.

Workers’ salaries are too low to cater to their basic needs, such as food, rent, transportation, and school fees for their children while they see politicians cruising in jeeps and other expensive cars.

Finally, Governor Yusuf remember that these workers have sacrificed a lot during the 2023 elections to see that you emerged as Kano governor.

Is very important to consider their plight at this moment of critical economic hardship.

I urged all comrades in different forms of struggle including civil society Forum to join me in pushing the Kano State government to implement a new minimum wage in a dignified manner as the Edo State governor did.

Abba Hamisu Sani is a
Media Consultant /CEO Time Base TvAfrica & Africa Press.
Can be reached via timebasetv@gmail.com

Opinion

As Prominent Nigerians Pour Encomiums on the Late Sidi Ali-Dembo

Published

2 days ago

April 28, 2024

Nigerian Tracker

Late Sidi Ali

By AbdurRaheem Sa’ad Dembo

I was not in my regular station in Minna as I took a brief trip to Abuja for an all important matter. In the night of Thursday, 25th April, 2024, I was reading in the news that Alhaji Sidi Ali had passed on. Innalillahi waiina ilaihi rajiun

He was the father of the current Spokesperson of Central Bank of Nigeria CBN, Hakama Sidi Ali (Mrs). According to the news, he was among second Republic Parliamentarians.

Many mourners have trooped to his residence at the NNDC Quarters,Hotoro GRA, Tarauni local government area of Kano State for condolences. He was buried on Friday 26th April, 2024.

Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf in a condolence message signed by his spokesperson, Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa described late Ali as a trusted public servant who made sacrifices to ensuring that Nigeria remains a united and indivisible country. The Governor acknowledged the positive contributions of the deceased as a Senator in the Second Republic in shaping the Parliament and the overall development of democracy in the country. He extended condolences to his families and prayed for those he left behind to have the courage to bear the loss.

Former President Muhammadu Buhari has mourned the late author describing him as a creative writer. Part of his condolences reads: “I am pained by the demise of the noted journalist, author, and politician, Sidi H. Ali, who won my heart and that of many through his critical writings and the two books he wrote about me.” The former President equally expressed his condolences to his family and admirers.

Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin has extolled the virtues of the deceased, saying he contributed immensely to the development of the country in both political and media spheres.

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According to a statement from his Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ismail Mudashir the deputy Senate President describes Ali thus: ” The death of our late elder statesman,Alhaji Sidi Ali,is not a loss to his immediate family alone, but a monumental loss to the country as a whole.He served our country meritoriously in different capacities and displayed his wealth of talent for the unity and growth of the nation.”

Barau was at their Hotoro GRA residence in Kano to commiserate with his family and urged them to remain united, and emulate the good virtues of their late father.

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris in a statement described late Sidi Ali as a respected veteran journalist, prolific writer, and a politician whose contributions to the field of journalism, literature, and politics have left an indelible mark. He added that Alhaji Sidi Ali, throughout his career, exemplified high standards of professionalism and integrity and provided invaluable insights with historical references into the pressing issues of time.

The minister said that as the nation mourns the loss of Alhaji Sidi Ali, his wisdom, compassion, and dedication to his craft would continue to inspire generations to come.

In the words of Senator Shehu Sani, the mournful message reads:
“I received the sad news of the demise of a renowned Elder statesman, author, journalist, politician and historian, Alhaji SIDI ALI. Apart from Tafawa Balewa and Sardauna of Sokoto, no other Northerner was closely known by historic figures and World leaders in the 60s and 70s like the late SIDI. The late Elderstateman was personally known by President JF Kennedy, Martin Luther King, Jr. Malcom X, Muhammad Ali, Kwame Nkrumah and many others.
The late Sidi Ali was a human library and a prolific writer. He was one man who could recall every event that happened in Nigeria’s history from independence till date. A great loss. My condolences to his family and the good people of Kano State.
May Allah grant him Aljanna firdausi, Amin.”

In the same vein, Lauretta Onochie, the Former Personal Assistant to Former President Muhammadu Buhari on Social Media, on her Facebook post also mourned honourable Sidi Ali. According to her, he was a great journalist, a great writer and a father to her.

One of his daughters said “Baba was a people’s person , he loved people generally across all strata. A humanitarian to the core.
A true Nigerian.
We grew up wearing clothes from MKO Abiola, Oloye Olusola Saraki, and many others”

According to a family source”The late Senator Joseph Tarka family and the people of Benue state were at the deceased residence on a condolence call. The Sidi Ali family and the Tarka Family have a long standing decades of close relationship. Senator Joseph Tarka is the father of the SGF”.

The former Registrar/Chief Executive National Examinations Council NECO, and the current Vice Chancellor, Khalifah Isyaku Rabiu University,Kano Professor Abdulrashid Garba also paid a condolence visit to the family.

Professor Hannatu Sabo, the Jigawa State Commissioner for finance, budget and planing also visited personally to sympathize with the family. Alhaji Sule Lamido, the former Jigawa State Governor,
Former Minister of State for works and Housing, Hon Umar Ibrahim El-Yakub , Senator Gumel,
A member of Federal House Representatives, Alhassan Ado Doguwa and others in the National Assembly from Kano State,Former Senator Aminu Inuwa, Professor Dandago,Kano Commercials ,traders and Academic communities were also fully represented during the condolence visit.

The elder statesman spent years serving the Nigerian International Press Centre, Ministry of Information and National Broadcasting Commission, among other critical institutions.

He travelled wide and his vast experience influenced his affection for journalism and communication. Ali authored 19 books, one of which is “Corruption in High Society”

According to Daily Trust Newspaper (27th April, 2023) “Ali was born in Kano but travelled to Ghana, where he met the country’s political leader, Kwame Nkrumah, who arranged for him to travel to London, and later, the United States to further his education”

In his 2018 birthday message, Former President Muhammadu Buhari established that Ali spent most of his life serving the country as a public affairs officer, “most remarkably for ensuring accurate and balanced information on government activities during and after the civil war.” (PR Nigeria news)

Personally, based on what I have read about late Sidi Ali, one can conclude that he was a fearless and pragmatic writer. It was reported that he was arrested by the regime of General Yakubu Gowon for writing an article against the Federal Government. A good writer is always sensitive and can’t look away when things are not properly done. To me, a coward can’t be a writer. The responsibility of an average writer is to use his pen to draw the attention of leaders to social anomalies in the society with a view to correcting them.

Honourable Sidi Ali was an APC Stalwart and a member of party’s Elders Committee in Kano State. He died at the age of 86 and was survived by children and grandchildren. May Allah forgive his shortcomings and grant him aljannah firdaus.Ameen

abdurraheemsaaddembo@gmail.com

07037813177

Opinion

Why They Are Afraid Of Ganduje

Published

1 week ago

April 23, 2024

Nigerian Tracker

By Abubakar Umar

While preparing to pen this write up I just scrolled the news and read that the Kano High court that ordered the suspension of the APC National chairman Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje have vacated the order pending the determination of the suit on 30th April.

From the look of things and with his glowing political clout since he joined politics in the second Republic Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje the former Governor of Kano state is giving sleepless nights to many politicians particularly from his home state of Kano where the melting pot of Nigerian politics emanated from.

No vex his emergence as the National chairman of Nigerias ruling party has brought down the evil machinations of some politicians who sees Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje as a stumbling block to their political ambition at the national stage .

The administrator cum politician as many people will attest to knew very well that interms of experience and political calculations he has no match especially from the North West political zone where the National chairman hails from .

They know very well that the national working committee of the party and President Asiwaju Bola Ahmad Tinubu have done the right calculation by placing an elder politician and a two term Governor of the most difficult state to Govern in the whole Nigeria as the chairman of the Nigerian ruling party.

They knew very well that his stature has made him one of the most visible and hardworking APC National chairman since its formation in the year 2013.

The conscripted script being played by agents of destabilzation in order to make the ruling party irrelevant can only be done if they try to use some political zealots with the aim of making the National Chairman look like someone who can not sail through their evil conspiracy .

It was understood that the only way the NNPP Governent in Kano will change it’s political nest is to cut down the tree that is supposed to give it a shade but instead of humbling themselves and submit themselves to the party’s National Secretariat in which Dr. Ganduje is the leader they starte beating about the bush like a child’s play.

Dr.Ganduje had since humbled them politically and by visiting the state on January 25 ,2024 to invite them to the ruling party without vengeance .

He extended the hand of friendship that politics is is the ability to make sacrifices and compromise .

It was that compromise and sacrifice that made some of his political foes make accomplishments they never dream to achieve but still they are not grateful with the his sacrifice and patience .

Today the courts have vindicated by Dr.Abdullahi Umar and the APC national stalwarts across the country who are comfortable with the leadership style of Dr.Abdullahi Umar Ganduje.