By Inalegwu Oche
The Federal Government has appealed to Nigerian students and youths to always consult and dialogue with the government on any issue rather than resorting to protests and confrontation.
The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Student Engagement, Sunday Asefon gave the advise Tuesday in Makurdi at a three-day Capacity Building and Leaderdship Development Training Programme for Selected Student Union Leaders in Nigerian Tertiary Institutions with the theme, “Renewed Hope Mantra: Building Reponsible Young Leaders for National Development.”
He noted that President Bola Tinubu was committed to ensuring the welfare and wellbeing of the Nigerian students and youths which necessitated the huge investment in the education sector to nurture and empower the future leaders of fhe country morally, educationally and intellectually.
He pointed out that no government in the history of the country had invested so much in the education sector like the President Tinubu-administration all with the intent to better the lot of the Nigerian youths.
He appealed to the youths to shun those creating disunity in the country emphasising that the President was aware of the hardship in the country occasioned by the reforms engendered by the administration “so he knows where the shoes pinches but I advise us to be patient, the reforms are already yielding desired results and in a very short time no Nigerian would want to leave the country in the name of ‘Japa’, just be patient.”
The Senior Special Assistant who reeled out the achievements and programmes of the Federal Government to better the lot of students explained that the capacity building programme was an initiative
under the aegis of the National Productivity Centre and facilitated by Bi’lam Consult and investment Limited.
According to him “it aims to equip you with the necessary tools and knowledge to navigate and excel in your leadership roles. Your position as student union leaders places you at the forefront of advocating for the interests and welfare of your peers. Therefore, it is crucial that you are well-prepared to lead with integrity, insight, and innovation.”
The Principal Special Assistant to the Benue State Governor on Youth and Student Affairs, Jocab Nevkaa who lauded the office of the SSA to the President for bringing the training to Benue State, disclosed that the last nationwide protest never held in the state because Governor Hyacinth Alia had continued to work in tandem with the wishes and aspirations of the people of Benue who had stood solidly behind him for his forthrightness and steadfastness.
He expressed delight that the “training would engage the students and also expose them to the programmes and policies of government and have them see and hear what the government has been doing for them, what they stand to gain from the government and how these policies will positively impact their lives.”
The Senior Legislative Aide to the Deputy Senate President, Gideon Obande who commended Governor Alia for the peace in Benue said the training was important as it would help students focus more on dialogue rather than resorting to crisis.
Also, the Consultant House of Representatives Committee on Human Rights, Solomon Alabi said “the intention of the programmes is the need to engage the student union governments in several campuses across the country and the basis for the engagement is to actually teach them leadership skills.
“The essence is to engage and exposed them to leadership skills before they get into political offices and leadership positions after school.”
The Public Relations Officer of the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, Mimido Gundu who said the training was timely and impactful commended the organisers for the initiative.
