Kogi students in the higher institutions, in the state and across the federation, has pledged to support the second term bid of Governor Yahaya Bello because of his excellent performance.
The joint leaderships of the students’ associations made the pledge at a joint press conference on Thursday at Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja.
The students’ associations include: Kogi State Chapter of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), the National Association of Kogi State Students (NAKOSS), Igala Students Association (ISA), National Association of Ebira Students (NAES), and the National Association of Okun Students (NAOS) among others.
Comrade Hussein Attaja, the leader of the bodies, told newsmen that the decision was a fallout of the recent interface by the Conference of All Students Associations in the state which culminated in jointly passing vote of confidence on the youthful governor.
According to Attaja, Gov. Bello remained the best in all options that have been considered by the associations, as he has shown uncommon love for the students and dedication to taking care of their welfare and those of Kogi youths.
He said Kogi could not afford to make the mistake of not returning the governor in the Nov. 16 polls, while urging the national leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to ensure due diligence in the electioneering process preceding the Kogi gubernatorial election.
”The emergence of Gov. Bello as APC flag bearer will enable maximum support from the student community and entire youths of Kogi due to his vision, experience and uncommon love for the youths and the future generation,”he said.
Attaja said that the governor’s students friendly disposition, prompt response to their welfare, youth inclusiveness in governance, and his deliberate efforts to ensure uninterrupted education in all Kogi state own tertiary institutions.
He added that Gov. Bell had given free academic scholarships to all hitherto stagnated Medical Students of Kogi State University Health College, and his determination towards enabling a secured and conducive environment for academic excellence.
The youth leader further said that the governor had also eliminated armed robbery and kidnapping in their academic environments, reduction of cultism and cult related activities on their campuses.
”Provision of free academic materials to students, creation of skills acquisition platforms and empowerment, implementation of 300 per cent increment of Bursary payment to all Kogi students in tertiary institutions nationwide.
”Provision of coastal buses to various tertiary institutions in the state to aid effective students union activities among other notable achievements were testament to his capacity.
“The achievements mentioned above and more are the reasons for the need for the students to give our governor the necessary support as we jointly throw our weight behind him.
”We want his name to be written in gold as student bodies in the three major higher institutions are setting up and dedicating mini students welfare centres to be named; ‘Governor Yahaya Bello Students Centre’,” Attaja said.
He stressed that they were asking the governor to continue for another four years so as to solidify the gains so far achieved.
