STUDENTS VOICES WILL BE HEARD IN POLICY DECISIONS MAKING - PEDRO OBI

 Comrade Pedro Chibuzo Obi, a doctorate student in the Department of Guidance and Counselling, Delta State University, Abraka, was recently elected the National President, National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), during a recent Convention of the association in Abuja. Obi, who is not new in politics of student unionism, before his current position, is former Public Relations Officer (PRO), NANS Zone B (South South and South East); former Coordinator, NANS Zone B (South South and South East), and former National Deputy Senate President of NANS. In this interview with EJIKEME OMENAZU, he gave an insight into what transpired during the recent Convention of the association in Abuja, his election and plans for the Nigerians students as well as his take on the state of the nation. Excerpt: 

Could you tell us how competitive the election was? 

The election was highly competitive, reflecting the passion and dedication of all candidates and their supporters to serve the student community. But, at the end, we thank God for the confidence reposed on us by the majority of the students, having served the students community at various capacities in time past, as Zonal Public Relations Officer, Coordinator and National Deputy Senate President of NANS. So, as you can see, I have been around in the service of the community. 

What does your victory mean to you? 

This victory means a commitment to advocating fiercely for the rights and welfare of Nigerian students. It’s a responsibility I take with utmost seriousness and also that the voice of Nigeria students excelled despite oppressions from oppressors. 

What should the Nigerian students in particular and the citizens in general expect from your administration? 

Students can expect a focus on addressing educational challenges, advocating for their welfare and rights and an administration that will project their interests and voices at all times. 

We learnt that there were some shootings and attempts to infiltrate the NANS Convention during the last meeting. Could you let us into what really happened? 

Yes, there were unfortunate incidents of shootings and attempts to infiltrate the NANS Convention. These incidents, no doubt, disrupted the peaceful conduct of the election process and endangered the safety of the delegates. 

How will your executive deal with these attempts to always infiltrate the student body? 

Our executive council will prioritise students’ safety by implementing robust security measures and fostering a united front against any attempts to disrupt the student body. With a united student community, we can resist infiltration of any kind. 

How will you guard against any plot to break the student body? 

We aim to foster unity within our student body and enforce dialogue as dispute settling measures to prevent division within the student community. 

How do you see the current state of the nation? 

The current state of the nation poses challenges. As one of the activities of my administration as NANS President, I will engage massively and actively with all stakeholders involved in nation building to ensure a Nigeria we all hope for and make reality the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as students are integral part of nation building. 

What is your take on Nigeria’s rising debt profile? 

Nigeria’s rising debt profile is a matter of concern. It is crucial for the government to ensure that borrowed funds are utilised effectively and transparently for developmental projects that benefit the citizens. As NANS President, I will encourage accountability, transparency and responsible borrowing practices to safeguard the future of our nation and prevent the burden of debt from falling on the younger generation. 

Your leadership stands by ASUU on the students Loan Scheme. Could you explain why you are doing so? 

We support ASUU’s stance as it aligns with the interests of students, ensuring access to education without burdensome financial constraints. We will work with relevant stakeholders to ensure that we have an effective implementation, management and seamless Student Loan Scheme Exercise. 

What will be the fate of students who allegedly dropped out because of the exorbitant increments? Do you have enough data to reach out to all these students? 

Efforts will be made to reach out and support these students. We aim to reintegrate them, if possible, and provide assistance for their educational pursuits by advocating and ensuring less burdensome school fees that both the poor and rich can afford. This is one of the reasons we’re introducing a Student Help Desk Hotlines, where issues of concern can be quickly reported to and the national leadership of NANS will respond accordingly. 

How do you see President Tinubu’s administration so far? 

I acknowledge President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration’s impact on students and education. However, I am committed to engaging constructively with the government at all levels to advocate for the interests and welfare of Nigerian students. We will work collaboratively to address the challenges facing the education sector and ensure that students’ voices are heard in the policy-making process. In the 2024 Budget, we’ve set up a committee to review the budget as it affects the education sector. Though, on a quick look, we noticed a 100% increase from the previous year’s budget on Education, which we appreciate. Our final findings will be relayed back to the general public when the Ad Hoc Committee set up to review the budget reports back to the NEC of NANS. 

Nigeria joined the rest of the world to celebrate the International Human Rights Day. How is the Federal Government’s attitude towards human rights? 

It is our view that commemorating international human rights day goes beyond the beautiful rhetoric. It is more about taking action towards protecting the rights of the citizens and championing their cause. The fact that Nigeria runs a democracy mandates the government to ensure compliance and respect for the rights of the citizens. Unfortunately, despite the fact that we run constitutional democracy, the Nigerian government has not done enough in the aspect of the enforcement of the people’s rights.

Many a time, people’s right to freedom of assembly has been trampled upon by law enforcement agencies with the government looking the other way. As Nigeria joined the world to commemorate the international human rights day, we want to state as an association that the Nigerian government is far behind when it comes to respect for people’s rights, most especially the rights of students in the aspect of protests. It is still fresh in our memory how the Police in Lagos State clamped down on students’ protest against fee hike at the University of Lagos, whereby tens of students, including leaders of our dear association, were arrested and taken to Lagos State Police Headquarters after their protest was dispersed with sounds of gunshots and teargas. As an association, we are calling on the government to make a pledge by calling on Police authority to stop the use of lethal arms in suppressing students’ protest. It is also very important we bring to the fore the issue of the midnight warlike raid of students of Obafemi Awolowo University last month, whereby hundreds of them were packed in a vehicle like fishes and driven to the Zonal Office of the EFCC in Ibadan on the mere assumption that they are into internet fraud. Though EFCC Chairman has declared that midnight raids should be stopped by operatives of the Commission, we want to state that issues such as that do not portray Nigeria well in terms of respect for human rights. In fact, all available indices do not speak well of Nigeria when it comes to observance of people’s rights. As we commemorate the day, we call on the Nigerian government to invest in the protection and enforcement of people’s rights. We also call on the government to implement recommendations of human rights panels.