Ogun State Students Elect New Executive

The National Association of Ogun State Students (NAOSS) has elected new executive members who will pilot the affairs of the association for the next three years.

The national convention, which took place at the Ogun State Secretariat of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) in Abeokuta, drew delegates from tertiary institutions across the country and had the National Vice President, Inter-Campus and Gender Affairs of NANS, Akinbodunse Sileola Felicia, as well as other relevant stakeholders, as observers.

At the end of the election, held amidst tight security provided by personnel of the Nigerian Police, Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and the Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN), Olubodun Olalekan from the Ondo State University of Science and Technology emerged as the new NAOSS National President.

Olubodun polled 73 votes to defeat Dare Ogunbanwo from the Federal Cooperative College, Ibadan, who polled 21 votes.

Announcing the results of the election, the Convention Chairman and Returning Officer, Ogunrombi Gbemileke, explained that a total of 96 delegates were accredited from various institutions of learning in the country, adding that the process was unanimously verified and accepted by all Central Planning Committee (CPC) members before the process commenced.

He described the conduct of the election as peaceful and commended the delegates for the orderly manner in which they voted.

Other newly elected executive members of NAOSS, according to Ogunrombi, include Musari Wale from the Ogun State Co-operative College, Vice President 1; Hassan Olamilekan, Sikiru Adetona College of Science and Technology, Omu-Ijebu, Vice President 2; Adesanya Peter, Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), Ago-Iwoye, General Secretary; and Arikewuyo Feranmi, Federal University of Technology (FUTA), Akure, Public Relations Officer.

Others are Oseni Oluwaseun from Tai Solarin University of Education, Ijagun, Ijebu-Ode, who emerged as Assistant General Secretary 1; Akinsanya Ibrahim, Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti, Assistant General Secretary 2; Ogunsan Joshua, Federal University of Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE), Senate President; and Ige Jide from Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, who emerged as Clerk.

Ogunrombi, however, said that other offices would be contested and filled at the first Senate sitting of the new executives.

In his acceptance speech, the new NAOSS National President, Olubodun, promised to work for the unity of the association, adding that his administration would resist any attempt to destabilise the association or divide students along political lines.

While reiterating his commitment to good governance and the welfare of members, he stated that the new leadership would ensure students’ rights, support educational reforms, and foster peace among members.

Olubodun also called on the Ogun State Government to prioritise bursary awards for all indigenous students and establish scholarship schemes for deserving NAOSS members.

“NAOSS will remain a strong, united, and independent voice for all Ogun indigenous students,” he submitted.