The newly elected president of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Lucky Emonefe,
has appealed to President Bola Tinubu to approve a national annual Bursary of N200,000 to all Nigerian students irrespective of their creed or tribe.
Emonefe said in Abuja on Saturday in his maiden news conference that the Fund would act as palliatives to cushion the effects of the hard economic situation occasioned by highly overdue economic reforms of Tinubu’s administration.
Recall that the association went into a process of electing new leadership which commenced on Monday, Nov.27, 2023.
According to the president, NANS under my leadership, in as much as will not be a rubber-stamp to government decisions and policies, shall not be used by any individual or groups to advance or achieve their nefarious agenda against the State.
“We shall closely monitor, analyse and scrutinise government policies as they relate to general wellbeing of the students and greater welfare of the Nigerian citizenry before coming up with our position on governance.
” Strictly speaking, our NANS is NANS for the students interests Having alone.
“As a flow from the above, we hereby make a passionate appeal to Mr President to approve a National annual Bursary of N200,000 to all Nigerian irrespective of their creed or tribe.
“This of course will act as to cushion the effects of the hard economic situation occasioned overdue economic reforms of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” he said.
He further commended the proposed take off of the students loans scheme in January 2024, saying the NANS would like to be part of monitoring and supervisory body for the scheme.
He said this is to ensure strict compliance with the schemes’ terms and goals.
“Without mincing words, the stoppage of the proposed remittance of 40 per cent IGR of public owned tertiary institutions of learning to the Federal cover is manifest of Mr President’s feelings correct gauging of the pulse of Nigerian Students and citizenry.
“The policy will no doubt have heavy toll and monumental pressure on wellbeing and survival of average Nigerian Students,” he added.
Meanwhile, the NANS South West Coordinator, Alao John, said the contested elections which came to an end on Dec. 1, was free and fair without any violence.
