The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), has called on President Buhari to order the ministers of Education, Agriculture, Trade and Investment and others to support its ‘Legacy Projects’ to fruition
The student body made this call in a statement signed and delivered by its Revolutionary President, Comr. Sunday Asefon during a press conference in Abuja on Wednesday, ahead of its 40th Anniversary Celebration Scheduled for 28th April 2022.
Asefon stated that the NANS @40 celebration is not a jamboree but an auspicious moment to institutionalise economic empowerment of Nigerian students, reduce the worrisome problem of youth unemployment and alleviate poverty, explaining that proceeds from co-sponsorship, donations, book launch, advert placements in the book and other forms of support will be judiciously utilised for the execution of its Legacy Projects.
According to him, the Projects are: “Establishment of Mechanised Farms in the 36 states and FCT, Abuja tagged ‘Operation School to Farm’; Construction of well-equipped Incubation/Skill Acquisition Centres in Abuja, Lagos and Six-Geo-political zones; and the NIGERIAN STUDENTS TRAVEL CHEAP AND SAFE PROJECT. He said that NANS intends to negotiate with prominent Domestic and International Airlines, as well as Motor Transport companies and Nigeria Railway Corporation to get rebate Airfares and Transport fares for Nigerian Students at home and in Diaspora for their Travels within and outside the country.”
These initiatives, he said, will add to efforts by government at all levels to reduce youth unemployment and redirect the talents and energies of Nigerian Students, especially in Tertiary Institutions away from Criminal activities towards gainful employment in farming and entrepreneurial activities.
He said, “To achieve these lofty and laudable initiatives, we hereby make the following passionate appeals and urgent calls on President Muhammadu Buhari to urgently order the Minister of Education, Minister of Agriculture, Minister of Trade and Investment and other concerned Ministries and Agencies to work closely with NANS to bring the legacy projects to fruition.
“We also call on the 36 State Governors & the FCT Minister to urgently provide arable land and mechanised farming equipment for the student’s ‘school to farm’ project.”
The President also called on the Organised Private Sector, especially Banks and Financial Institutions to come to the aid of Nigerians Students. “Fidelity Bank has already shown keen interest, ” he added.
