International Students Day: NANS Celebrates With Members In South West

The National Association Of Nigerian Students, Southwest Zone, NANS Zone D today celebrated with members as the world marks International students day.

In a release signed by the Southwest Deputy Coordinator of the Students body, Comrade Oladimeji Uthman which was made available to news men in Abeokuta.

The release states "Every time a student walks past the building of the school, college or university, it makes them realize, that he or she does have that mind and the soul within them”.

''THE STORY BEHIND THE INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS’ DAY.

On this day, 17th of November in 1989, the students held a discussion regarding the students movement in 1989. The 1989 was the fiftieth anniversary of the International Students’ Day and this gave the students a chance to voice their opinions. And this was against the too much oppression of the communist parties. The incident began with a peaceful gathering, but it turned into a violent one by the evening. A huge number of people were brutally beaten by the riot police, the red berets and many other members of the law enforcement agencies. More than 1500 individuals took place on that gathering. The death of fellow students due to police brutality led into different course of events. A huge number of theater artists and students agreed to go on strike and this resulted in Velvet revolution in Czechoslovakia. 

WE ARE TITANS OF STRUGGLE FROM TIME IMMEMORIAL.

Students which are known to be the very backbones of the society are neglected a lot of times considering we are just mere kids. But sometimes they fail to understand that it is we, who are going to offer a better country and better world. And this is why, it is really essential to be encouraged by celebrating the International Students’ Day.

We learn through what we see. A good student needs to know who we are and what we can do. We also need to know what efforts our predecessors who are previous student leaders did. The International Students Day brings together the students all over the world with a sole motive of uplifting the society they live in.

Education and examination is just the part that enhances the learning and knowing process of the students. But that is not at all everything for a student. One has to be successful in other different aspects too, and that is what the symbol of International Students’ Day is.

IMPACTS TO THE SOCIETY.

It is the students who have always been on the forefront for any movement or change. In any country, regarding any crisis, the students have taken the opportunity for demonstrating their opinions and International Students’ Day offers just exactly that.

They are not the ones who fear to question the present regime values and beliefs. But it cannot be denied that, unfortunately these actions and activities took place only when there was a crisis or an unbearable suppression for human rights.

A lot of times, it has happened that students are completely ignored. We all need to make our voices heard to be heard. We believe that students have an obligation, even if not for themselves, but for those who are going to follow them and this International Students Day is how students can show the society and the upcoming generations.

In the world that we live in, it has really become necessary to develop the strong networks for generating awareness, build the natural understanding and solidarity. And the reason is a huge number of students and individuals who are learning from different mediums and are fleeing their countries due to bad economic conditions, conflicts and political situations just because they want to fulfill their lives seeking better conditions at somewhere else.

At this 2020 International Students’ Day, I call on the Nigeria government and Southwestern states government in particular to make sure that every student has the right to study, irrespective of their culture, tribe, caste, religion, socio-economic and sexual background. And this needs to be done with focus towards indigenous and non indigenous students with penchant focus to Infrastructural Rehabilitation in all Campuses throughout Southwestern states.

Being a progressive student of Ogun State, I have the dream that one day we are going to be proud, educated and well established citizen of the country that we live in. And this can be only be attained by proper learning and education during the student’s life. As humans, it is the responsibility for every government to offer chances of education to who seek for it.

Today, we claim for an adequate and universal measure for ensuring the dignity, fulfillment and equal opportunity for every member of the students community. In the recent economic recession all over the world, the governments have cut the public spending and especially on education in the name of public interest protection. Today, we call on for stopping this trend and properly finance the education, with serious concern to human rights and the citizenship education if we are looking forward for promoting a culture of peace. 

Furthermore, there is an urgent need for all Southwest students leaders to reawaken that spirit of comradeship long buried inside of us, we should strenghten our mutual bond, dignity and recognition as indestructible and superior in any context we find ourselves. 

It is in unbridled love that I gallantly seek the continuous protection of Nigerian Students in all spheres of their academic struggle just as an injury to one is an injury to all. 

Lastly, on this auspicious day of ours (Worldwide Students), i enjoin all Stakeholders, Government agencies, Pressure groups and the Press in particular to uphold the tenets of the Rule of Law and Respect for man kind. 

On behalf of the teeming leadership of National Association of Nigerian Students Southwest Zone (NANS Zone D) ably led by Comrade Kappo Samuel Olawale, I wish you all Progressive Nigerian Students a Happy 81st International Students Day Celebration.