EDITORIAL: Time to retire "Permanent Students" from NAAKISS Leadership

 

Student leadership and political struggles in tertiary institutions are rarely found in the school curriculum, hence pundits describe them as extra-curricular activities. From local government associations to departmental, faculty and state-of-origin unions, students jostle to lead others in decision-making, to make their voices heard, and to attract government largesse in the form of bursary and scholarships.

The gains of being a student leader have become enormous in recent times. Some student leaders have transcended from micro politics to macro politics. Some have secured state and federal appointments on the strength of their antecedents, capacity and experience. This has inspired many students to develop interest in leadership positions across departments, faculties, local government associations, and at state and national levels.

Suffice to say that these numerous gains have also enthroned greed, a sit-tight attitude and desperate moves to remain students longer than necessary.

In Akwa Ibom State, the National Association of Akwa Ibom State Students Worldwide (NAAKISS) is the umbrella body for all Akwa Ibom indigenes studying in tertiary institutions within and outside Nigeria. NAAKISS was originally formed to fight for students' interests, bursary, scholarship, unity and leadership training. Indeed, it is the Akwa Ibom students' union for all tertiary institutions in the world.

Regrettably, The Eyes Newspaper has observed that NAAKISS leadership has grown beyond mere periodic elections into an entrenched system of kingmakers, caucuses, godfathers, grand leaders and other power blocs. This class is made up of former student leaders who have either refused to graduate, been rusticated, lost their studentship, or are clinging to other negative narratives to remain relevant.

They capitalise on delays in the timely conduct of elections, frustrate any administration that dares to ignore their existence, and sponsor chaos among student unions and associations. In every student election year, their faces and names must be prominently visible, while opportunities that should go to freshers and genuine students are denied.

Recently, the Executive Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Eno, hosted the current leadership of NAAKISS alongside some of these "permanent students" who parade as student leaders. A careful look at pictures from years past shows the same faces as leaders, and 20 years after, they are still parading as current student leaders.

As the Governor rightly noted, leadership positions in tertiary institutions provide practical opportunities to learn governance, accountability and responsible decision-making. The Eyes Newspaper is worried about the fate of the next generation of students, their chances of becoming student leaders, their privilege of learning leadership in school, and the benefits of student leadership in Akwa Ibom State.

We at The Eyes Newspaper strongly advocate that one set of faces must fade out with a particular administration to give way to another. The recycling of the same faces will not only deny freshers the benefits of studentship but will also make student politics uninteresting and unproductive. The government of Pastor Umo Eno must not continue to engage the same faces it just hosted as student leaders in the nearest future.

The Akwa Ibom State Government must encourage the independence of student unions, prioritise academic excellence and timely completion of programmes to do away with permanent students.

Tertiary institutions must ensure that students' activities align with the academic calendar and that only deserving, bona fide students are allowed to lead various unions.

True democracy must begin from tertiary institutions, especially as youths are said to be leaders of tomorrow. No student should be recognised in more than one administration of a student body. With this, even the recalcitrant ones will remain focused and ensure they leave the school environment and student bodies in good time.