Activist Lawal Isah Federal presents on role of Students/Comrades Community toward the nation building at NANS Connect 2022

THE ROLE OF STUDENTS & COMRADES TOWARD THE NATION BUILDING BY

ACTIVIST LAWAL ISAH FEDERAL

14th July, 2022

08033404669

Lawalisah95@gmail.com

KEYNOTE ADDRESS DELIVERED AT THE 1st NANS CONNECT KATSINA STATE AXIS IN KATSINA STATE 15th JULY, 2022

1. INTRODUCTION

 I want to thank the National Association of Nigeria Student's (NANS) particularly Zone 'A' for honouring me with the privilege to speak at a forum that holds much promise in keeping our Students focused and disciplined in the pursuit of edifying goals and living with values that defines the Students Constituency character. 

 I particularly want to thank our dear brother in struggles, Comrd. Aminu Garba Jarumi, the Convener of the 1st NANS Connect in Katsina state for his inspiring sacrifice in this event and untiring efforts to keep the flames of our dedication to the interests of the Nigeria Students alive.

2. BACKGROUND

 The first step into unionism by Nigerian Students was conceived by the West African Student Union (WASU) which was pioneered by West African Students in London in the year 1925. The solanke and Bankole-Brighled WASU fought for improved welfare for all African Students in London. Their influence in Nigeria brought about National Union of Nigeria Student's (NUNS) which premiered in the University of Ibadan. The NUNS which metarmorphosized into National Association of Nigeria Student's (NANS) has its wings spread across all the tertiary institutions in Nigeria in form of Student Union Government (SUG).

Of a great note, let me quickly jump in to the Role of Students & Comrades toward the Nation Building due to the time factor.

As Students, we are agents of change and the change we desire in others must start from us. We must use all of our talent to serve our country and fatherland the best we can. We must also help government at all levels in the implementation of its policies. We must resist all forms of exploitation by individuals and groups, for in this, they take away our voice and rights; they take us away from the big picture. Without a doubt, Students are the foundation of positive and negative pictures of any society. Their energies, inventiveness, character and orientation define the pace of development and security of a nation. Through their creative talents and labour power, a nation makes giant strides in economic development and socio-political attainments. Any nation that denies its Students the necessary and enabling environment to enthusiastically participate in nation-building merely does so at its own peril (a case study of ASUU strike).

 Nation-building is a dynamic process that calls for the participation of all segments of the society, including the often-overlooked and undermined Student and Youth population and Student resourcefulness that will provide an invaluable speed for the growth and development of any society. As Students are brought into and connected with national issues and programmes, they can participate actively and contribute to decision making at multiple levels. As Students also are engaged in more sustained positive relationships with adults, national progress is assured.  Apart from realising that they are valuable assets of their nations, such collaborations and participation may lead to skill enhancement, empowerment and confidence-building traits, which will help prepare them for active interest and involvement in nation-building.

Nigerian students need to understand the essence of self-empowerment and sufficiency. Of the crises facing Nigeria today, unemployment stands prominent.

The available jobs are not enough; therefore it is a battle among the smartest to get a job. To solve this situation, it is important that students strive for excellence to become employable or employers of labour themselves. Rather than relying on getting a job after school, they should take initiatives and work on building successful businesses which will in turn create jobs for others.

Innovativeness and vision is very essential, and requires that they think out of the box, planning extensively ahead, rather than live only for the present.

To build that nation, students must shun all vices capable of undermining national security such as cultism, political thuggery, hooliganism and other forms of unruly and violent behaviour. Nigerian students must adopt dialogue rather than violence when it comes to solving problems. It is said “violence begets violence”. Therefore, students should shun violent demonstrations because they do more harm than good in a country.

If Nigeria is ever going to get better, students must live as responsible and law-abiding citizens by joining voluntary organisations and helping in community service and development. They must be ready in helping to enforce law, order and cleanliness.

Nigeria is on its way to becoming a greater nation with the current corruption fight of the federal government under President Muhammadu Buhari. 

Building a corruption-free country, one with integrity, is a responsibility of every student.  The bad reputation corruption had imposed on our dear country, is a result of desperate individuals who want to acquire wealth overnight.

Students must shun fraud, bribery and all forms of examination malpractices and understand that success and wealth never come easy, but as a result of hardwork, preparation, patience, perseverance and prayer. It may be tough to succeed, but it is definitely not impossible as Nigeria is blessed with enough resources to aid those who want to succeed.

Students are the building blocks of every nation. The stronger the Student of a country, the more developed that country is.

For a country like Nigeria with about 70 per cent youth population (whose are mostly students), we are where we are because the future of the youth has been mortgaged. We have been denied the benefits of good education; our minds have been chronically infested with low mora values. When the political class is riddled with notorious, corrupt individuals, which the justice system helplessly fails to punish, then the nation stagnates.

Government’s plans and readiness to revive Youth & Students unproductiveness is but a mere lip-service. Politicians only engage us during elections and turn us into electoral thugs instead of building enough schools and creating adequate employment opportunities for us. On the other hand, we are the architect of our own misfortune because we embraced corrupt politicians’ ideologies. We are ideologically bankrupt and in a state of delirium. We choose violence instead of peace and mutual coexistence. We choose the comfort of the moment instead of striving for self-sacrifice that will guarantee the freedom of this country. We choose the wealth of the highways instead of classrooms. We choose gun, knife and axe instead of pen, paper and hardwork. We avail ourselves all kinds of dirty jobs during elections.

The quality of tomorrow’s leaders lies in the character of today’s followers.

An Indian statesman, Mahatma Ghandhi said, “A man is but the product of his thoughts, what he thinks he becomes".

3. CONCLUSION 

 Finally, I remain vigilant over the direction and fate of our Father-Land, Nigeria and it's Educational system. The NANS is a major stakeholders in whatever happens in and to Nigeria, but our position on how the educational system of the country is structured and operates must be informed by entrepreneurial skills during schooling and revatilization strength. The NANS will continue to play a significant role in the affairs of the nation; and we will remember those who stood with and by us and those who attempted to take advantage of our current Educational challenges.

I hope I have raised issues that will engaged you as you embark on this commendable task to awaken and mobilize the greatest asset of the Students Community.

Thank you. 

May God Bless you all. 

 Activist Lawal Isah (Federal).