By Abel Johngold Orheruata
The Leadership of National Association of Polytechnic Students (NAPS) has distanced herself from the endorsement of Gov. Godwin Obaseki of Edo State for a second term and presentation of certificate of credence to the Governor by some individuals under the guise of NAPS.
The Students body led by Comrades Adekanbi Sunday (National President elect) from Kaduna Polytechnic and Dio Oghale Emeka Rex (National President of the Senate elect) from Delta State Polytechnic Ogwashi-Uku distanced NAPS from the endorsement in press briefing with newsmen shortly after their elections victories at the just concluded NAPS 17th National Convention (Edo 2019)
According to Adekanbi, “It is pertinent to establish a fact that the purported endorsement was never discussed or approved by the Senate Secretariat of NAPS. Neither was it the purpose for polytechnic student convergence in Edo State polytechnic Usen, hence it is fake and fraudulent targeted to defraud the Governor of cash by some set of Non students.”
He said NAPS was an independent student body who has no business with internal party politics and political party crisis. As misrepresented by the disgruntled elements who lead the Endorsement rally.
The new NAPS leaders requested Gov. Obaseki to return the certificate of credence because it was issued by fake group using NAPS.
“We hereby request the Governor to honorably return the purported certificate of credence received back to the National Secretariat of NAPS between now and 7 working days else legitimate Nigeria Polytechnic student shall match to his office to retrieve the certificate disgracefully”. The group threatened.
“A Governor who promote impunity, factionalized Party State leadership, destabilised State House of Assembly, abandoned Economy Road like Ekpoma – Benin Road, Devoted least attention to education and disrespected His Political Party including her National Chairman cannot get endorsement of legitimate intellectual Nigerian polytechnic students body except Gov Obaseki turn a new leaf NAPS shall never associate with him and his administration. We rather pass vote of confidence on Comrade Adams Oshiomole, the National Chairman of APC who has given all to enthrone party supremacy and deepen democratic ethic and value in Nigeria than purportedly endorsing Gov Obaseki who is laying a bad Precedence for young Generation.” Comrade Adekanbi led NAPS stated in their press statement issued to pressmen in Asaba.
In his remarks, the newly elected National President of NAPS Senate, Comrade Dio Oghale Emeka Rex, affirmed that the National Senate Headquarter of NAPS disassociate herself from the purported endorsement of Gov Godwin Obaseki of Edo State as it was never a resolution from the Senate, and requested the Governor honorably return the certificate of credence presented to him by hired crowd and disgruntled elements parading themselves as leaders of NAPS with ultimatum of seven (7) days or we shall be left with no other option than to relocate the Senate Secretariat to Edo Government house to retrieve it disgracefully.
Comrade Dio said his led Senate want the President Muhammadu Buhari led administration to as a matter of necessity through FERMA intervene on all Federal Roads and save the lives of Nigerian students most especially the Corp members called to serve the nation that over 20,000 Nigerian students have lost their lives to motor accidents. That failure for the government to intervene, the leadership of NAPS will be left to no other option than to call on all her structures to boycott the “Clarion” call to serve Nigeria under NYSC scheme.
While condoling with the Management, staff and students of the Federal Polytechnic Offa and family of 3 students lost to Motor accident on their way to NYSC orientation camps, the new leadership of NAPS said it shall work with NYSC and some Airline firms to introduce subsidised airfare scheme for prospective corp members to reduce risk exposure.
Also, NAPS called on management of Joint Admission And Matriculation Board to either decentralise admission processing unit or overhauls her system and website to improve the rate of response and processing. That over 50,000 students were held back from resuming registration following the failure of the Central Admission Process of JAMB to validate their admission letter from JAMB.
While declaring zero tolerance for violence, exam malpractice, drug abuse and sex for Mark/Female Molestation, increment in tuition fee and assuring all Rectors of her commitment to pursue stable and uninterrupted academic calendar across board, the new leadership of NAPS said all unjust rustication and expulsion of Nigeria polytechnic students shall be revisited accordingly. And reject every form of victimization on Nigeria students by school managements.
Similarly, NAPS also called on the National Assembly to investigate successive budget allocation of Industrial Training Fund (ITF) from 2015. That the Agency had refused to pay Nigeria Polytechnic students who were on SIWES their #10,000 allowance since 2015 till date.
While calling for thorough investigation of the Agency financial activities by EFCC and the DG’s relief of his appointments with immediate effect, the students body expressed satisfaction and confidence on NBTE management.
“Our leadership express satisfaction and confidence in Dr. Masud Kazaure led National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), we declared our readiness to work with the board particularly to end running of unaccredited courses in our polytechnics and unabated establishment of 3 bedroom apartment private polytechnic in Nigeria”. The group stated