A student-based group, Coalition of Nigerian Students (CNS), has said it is unfortunate that National Association of Nigerian students (NANS), a body meant to uphold the interests of Nigerian students, has deviated from its purpose and being used as a tool for baseless attacks and political propaganda.
To this end, the coalition condemned what they described as a misleading and politically influenced statement issued by NANS Senate president against Shamsuddeen Bala Mohammed, saying the association’s attempt to twist remarks on Seyi Tinubu’s so-called philanthropic efforts is nothing more than an intentional misrepresentation designed to mislead the public.
According to the coalition, Shamsuddeen raised a valid and fundamental concern that governance should not be replaced by politically motivated handouts, that Nigerian youth need sustainable solutions, not temporary distractions.
At a press conference in Bauchi yesterday led by its Northeast zonal coordinator, Comrade Saleh Ibrahim, the coalition said that philanthropy should complement governance, but not to substitute it.
“Contrary to NANS’ claims, Shamsuddeen Bala Mohammed did not criticise philanthropy. Rather, he rightly questioned the exploitation of philanthropy as a political branding tool. The real problem in Nigeria is not a lack of individual generosity but the failure of government structures to provide lasting solutions.
“Handing out cooked food on the streets, as Seyi Tinubu did, is not an empowerment programme. It is a temporary show that does nothing to change the economic reality of the people.”
True philanthropy should aim to build capacity, provide long-term support and uplift communities permanently,” Saleh stated.
The group added that the Governor Bala Mohammed-led administration has delivered on youth empowerment, saying that NANS’ question about the number of youths the governor has empowered only exposes the association’s ignorance or deliberate misinformation.
Comrade Saleh cited Bauchi State’s investment in ICT development, innovation hubs and business incubation centres to provide young people with digital and entrepreneurial skills, to buttress the coalition’s claim of Governor Bala Mohammed’s achievements in youth development.
“Over 20,000 youths have benefited from economic empowerment programmes, including vocational training and business startup capital. Kaura Youth and Women Economic Empowerment Programme (KEEP) has disbursed interest-free loans to entrepreneurs, ensuring self-sufficiency rather than dependence.
“This is double standards. Instead of questioning why Nigeria’s resources are not being directed into structured youth programmes, NANS has chosen to attack Shamsuddeen Bala Mohammed, a patriotic citizen who has done more for young people than many government officials.
“Where was NANS when ASUU was on strike for months, delaying the education of thousands, when public universities increased tuition fees, making education unaffordable, and where graduates were left unemployed with no concrete job creation plans from the federal government?” the coalition queried.
Saleh therefore challenged NANS to redirect its energy towards fighting for the interests of Nigerian students rather than acting as a public relations unit for political figures, emphasising that youths of Nigeria need business opportunities, education and employment, not temporary publicity stunts disguised as charity.
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