Infrastructure decay, bursary: NANS to meet Eno August 19

Etim Ekpimah

The National Association of Nigerian Students will meet with Akwa Ibom State governor, Umo Eno to discuss certain lingering issues, which include infrastructure decay, students’ empowerment, and bursary.

The students, who were silent about the abnormalities and salient issues concerning the education and students in Akwa Ibom State, noted that the matter would be revealed when they meet the governor on 19 August.

The students, who were led by Heritage Akpan, National Treasurer (NANS) and Zone Assistant Secretary, stated this on Tuesday during the world press conference, which was held at the Correspondent’s Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Akwa Ibom State.

On bursary management and disbursement, the association pleaded that a student leader representative be appointed to create a nexus between the students and the bursary committee to ease the information and communication gap.

The association also called for the inclusion of state-owned institutions like Akwa Ibom State College of Nursing to be part of the beneficiaries of the bursary scheme.

The students, however, expressed gratitude to the governor for building model primary schools across the state with accompanying features as uniforms, school bags, and shoes for pupils. They added that the effort was a quantum step towards a brighter future, noting that they celebrate Eno on the feat.

They said: “This press conference aims to highlight the abnormalities and salient issues concerning education and students in Akwa Ibom State, while also seizing this opportunity to applaud His Excellency, the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo B. Eno, Ph.D., for his developmental strides in the state.

“Your Excellency, we consider this medium as the last route to reach you after which all the angles of engagement prove abortive.

“As we address the world today, we will ignite from the positive side of it by pouring encomium on the investment and gigantic strides of the governor in education.”

The students thanked the governor for setting aside N1 billion for bursary payment to Akwa Ibom State students in tertiary institutions.

Akpan also mentioned the 39 students of Akwa Ibom State origin. These students participated in the Akwa Ibom/United Kingdom Education Exchange Programme. They went on a learning tour to schools in the United Kingdom. This was in partnership with the Borough of Southwark and more.

Emmanuel Peter, NANS JCC Akwa Ibom State, for NANS, Akwa Ibom State Caucus, urged the governor to set up a viable scholarship scheme. This should be through the Akwa Ibom State Scholarship Board. It will complement the bursary and aid eligible students to follow their academic pursuits with ease.

He, however, urged the Akwa Ibom State Government to improve infrastructure development in tertiary institutions. This improvement is necessary for learning convenience in the state.

Peter asked Eno to have a student’s town square meeting in the 11^th federal constituency. He maintained that they make up a population of 1.1 million, which should not be ignored.

He said: “We sincerely appeal for a student’s town square meeting in the 11th federal constituency. We want His Excellency, the Governor, to attend. The town square meeting is ongoing across the federal constituencies. It aims to harness more of the concerns.

“We may not feel good about discussing in the media. We need to have an interface with him first. It is important to remind the governor of his meetings. He has met with market women, traders, and businessmen. He also met with artisans, youths, and traditional birth attendants. However, he never met with the students’ leadership, not even once. This goes against his campaign promises that he would meet with students quarterly.

“Such an opportunity as a town square meeting with the students will provide the opportunity to discuss intensively and to crossbreed ideas, policies and framework for onward educational/student development.

“In addition, the student community gave you, Your Excellency, the highest number of votes during the 2023 general election. They will constitute the largest number of voters.

“Primary school teachers should be immediately employed. They should be deployed to rural schools to ease the educational manpower gap. This will complement the concept of the model primary school vis-à-vis the education framework of the ARISE policy thrust.

“The aforementioned NANS leaders/office holders from Akwa Ibom State will lead other student leaders and the over 1.1 million students on a solidarity walk to the Government House, Uyo.

“They will present the hard copy of this press text to you on the 19th August 2025. This event will allow them to interface with you for the first time.”