The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has opposed the move by President Muhammadu Buhari to confer National Honours Award on the Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu.
It was reported that President Buhari had listed 437 names of notable individuals to be honoured on Oct.11th, of which Adamu’s name is among
NANS National Public Relations Officer, Giwa Temitope, in a statement on Monday, said Adamu doesn’t deserve the National award.
Temitope said; “It constitutes an insult to the collective intelligence of Nigerian students both home and in the diaspora that the Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu, under whose nose University students have been home for close to eight months is to be awarded the National Honours of Commander of the Order of Niger (CON).’’
“This act of the Buhari’s administration is a clear pointer to the fact that Nigerian students have been taken for a ride. And, we see this as the final straw that breaks the back of the camel of Buhari’s much touted integrity.’’
“Over the years, successive administrations in the Country have shown to the Nigerian people that the National Honours is more of recognition of patronage than recognition of excellence. But Buhari has taken a step further to show the mass of Nigerian students that we are not on the priority list of the administration.’’
“It is so unfortunate that a Country which offered so much hope and possibilities at independence has today become a land of suffering, insecurity and near hopelessness signposted by youth unemployment and an underfunded educational sector.”
“But, the reverse is the case as Adamu under whose watch the Educational sector of the Country has totally collapsed is to be recognised with a National Honour for a job ‘well-done.’’
“As an association, we reiterate that we passed a vote of no confidence in both Adamu and Ngige. And, we maintain that we shall be back to the streets in protest against the recklessness of this administration until the Federal Government settles every issue with ASUU for Nigerian students to return to classes.”