In Nigeria today, the idea of Students’ Unionism continues to face serious and dangerous challenges. Self-acclaimed students’ leaders and students themselves have distorted the principles and values of
unionism, majorly because of selfish interests.
Across several students union bodies there is clearly the evaporation of values which form the foundation and basis of the student body.
The idea of a Students’ Union was understood during the peak of vibrant Students’ Union activities in the country as a body of students organised for protecting and advancing the interests of
students who are members of the Students’ Union. This includes such interest as the desire for
conducive learning conditions, comfortable living conditions and the assurance of a better life for youths, who form the students’ movement.
The corrupt and anti-people system of governments over the time has made the attainment of goals of unionism difficult, not unattainable.
It is shameful to learn about the catastrophic quality of governance in the student unions with due respect to the few exceptions, the dishonorable endorsement of Wada’s second term
agenda by the National Association of Nigerian Students led by Comrade Tijani Usman Shehu is
debauched and heinous.
NANS is supposed to be non partisan, endorsing political candidates ahead of the 2015 governship elections in Kogi and Bayelsa is not part of its mandate.
Bad governance is not only rooted in bad leadership but also bad citizenship while responsible leadership. The song of sorrow makes the heart bleed, Kogites have suffered so much under the present state government led administration and these sufferings are still very fresh in our thought while history has given us another opportunity to reposition our beloved state in the forthcoming general elections slated for 21st November 2015.
If we did not change things now, the future of Nigeria, in the hands of the incoming generation is not certain. It is difficult now to point to any union in Nigeria with the principles and practices of vibrant unionism than the unions in the 70s and 80s.
– Balogun Emmanuel Funsho, University Of Ilorin.
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