Unionism connotes the system or act of coming together by people who share same ideologies, Interests and Views to fight for the interests of Members of the union as it may affect them in one way or another.
These bodies (UNIONS) can be formed by the Students, Workers Political Elites, Trade Men and Women, and other groups of people within the dictates of the law.
The Students of Nigeria are not exempted as they resulted to having an umbrella body which speaks and fight for their rights and interest as a Union otherwise known as Pressure Group.
The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) was founded in the 1980s to replace the then existing National Union of Nigerian Students (NUNS) founded with the initial aims of speaking for, fighting, and agitating for the positive welfare of Nigerian Students both at home and in the diaspora.
In the 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s, and down to 90s, Nigerian Students Unionism was organizationally and operationally effective, efficient to the core, and, was the most feared and respected entity within the Nigerian body polity. When it comes to mobilization operations against societal-ills, military tyranny, national challenges, capacity building and capacity retentions programmings, Nigerian Students body, is indefensibly a force to you can count.
Additionally, within the Nigerian civil society community, internationally and domestically, you cannot do without Nigerian Students organization and its operational mobilization grid-lock.
I am afraid, things seems to be on a downward spiral if not total collapse.
NANS, The National Association of Nigerian Students, in collaboration with local Students Union Governments [SUGs] was seen everywhere in any national matters as affects Nigerian masses. Make no mistakes, when it sneezes the nation catches cool.
But what later transpired that have rendered the then Lion roaring and biting those coming to its den to mess up to become so weak, sick and a toothless dog that neither barks nor bite?
Has NANS being corrupted, compromised, betrayed, miffed, and hijacked by the Federal, States and or Nigeria’s intelligence community to its demise? What has become of NANS and Nigerian Student Unions Government [SUGs] across the land?
Whatever happened to this great institution – NANS, and Students unionism in the homeland, remember that your future and my future are tied together and that our future is corrosively blink.
Remember, that you are the conscience of the nation, remember that posterity and history will not absolve you vacillate rather, posterity it will hold you responsible for your ineptitudes, will hold you accountable for betraying and failing the Republic. It will not forgive you if, you are a latecomer, a gatekeeper and a traitor of this enterprise – Nigeria.
Should we sit to tag the recent misfortune on the Selfishness of the Leadership of NANS, fear of been harmed or the sudden turn around of the existing Students body to become a 'Political Body' that relates and romance with Political Office Holders to seek their favors in cash and actions making the body under the control of the ones who feeds it (He who pays the piper, dictates the tune)?
Its no longer a breaking news that Nigerian Students have been plunged into all forms of social menaces like Kidnappings, Killings, Hardship on Students by the Government and lack of proper catering for the education of Nigerian Students.
In the face of Terrorism Nigerian Students are falling off the rail to become victims of the dreaded Terrorists and yet no one is ready to speak to the government on behalf of the Students to immediately source for a solution to the problems that is staring at our faces.
Who knows the next victim among the Students? The silence of the supposed mouth piece of the Students is endangering the Students the more, its making the Students to regret seeking for knowledge and training to become the Leaders of tomorrow.
The NANS Leadership should come to a round table to redefine its aims and follow it up with visible actions.
The Securities of lives of Properties of Students should be made a priority by any reasonable government in power.
NANS should be alive to its duties and Responsibilities of been the Students Vanguard and Defending Army.
UNIONISM shouldn't be laid to death, we demand and ask for active Students Union led by active Students to create a hope for the Students in the land of our Father.
The recent gruesome murder of a Nigerian Student by the Boko Haram Terrorists sect and the rest that have been done silently should give a loud alarm to the Umbrella body of the Nigerian Students (NANS) to rise on its feet and make our VICTORIA come to ACERTA.
SPEAK, SAY AND ACT TO SAVE THE STUDENTS LIVES.
Wake up NANS and speak, for the nation will listen - the time has come.
ALUTA CONTINUA, VICTORIA ACERTA.
Hassan Adeiza Ozigis
President, National Association of Ebira Students, University of Jos Chapter.
Director of Media and Publicity Youth Enlightenment Movement (Y.E.M.).