NUJ chairman reaffirms Union’s commitment to enhancing collaboration with student leaders
The Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Akwa Ibom State Council, Comrade Nsibiet John, has reaffirmed the union’s dedication to fostering collaboration with student leaders to create a robust and inclusive educational system in the state.
Comrade John stated this on Friday at the NUJ Press Centre in Uyo during a courtesy visit from the leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) Zone B South-South.
John highlighted the significance of working together with student leaders and acknowledged the challenges they face, assuring them that the union would always be open to partnerships in order to amplify the voices of the student community.
He emphasised that the union’s commitment to student leaders is part of a broader agenda to enhance professionalism and uphold ethical standards in journalism, which includes partnerships and mentorship initiatives.
He expressed the union’s commitment to promoting democratic students’ unionism to ensure that their voices are considered in policy-making processes that impact their welfare and education.
The NUJ Chairman also stressed the importance of collaborating on mutual concerns such as promoting news reports on campus security, infrastructure development in educational institutions, and overall student welfare.
Earlier in his address, Comrade Emmanuel Akpan, the Assistant Secretary of NANS, South South Zone, appealed to the state government to improve student welfare through bursaries payments and release of funds for the upcoming worldwide elections of the National Association of Akwa Ibom State Students (NAAKISS), saying that prolonged delays could lead to deeper crises within the student community.
The NANS delegation, led by its Assistant Secretary General for the South-South Zone, Comrade Emmanuel Akpan, included representatives from various organizations, such as the National Association of Akwa Ibom State Students (NAAKISS), the Student Union Government (SUG), the Niger Delta Students Union Government (NIDSUG), the Akwa Ibom Female Students Association (AIFSA), the National Association of University Students (NAUS), and the Akwa Ibom State Council of Local Government Worldwide (G31), among other sister unions.
They noted that the meeting was organised to commemorate International Students’ Day on November 17, aligning with the struggles and achievements of students worldwide.
“The student community worldwide will gather to commemorate International Students’ Day, a day dedicated to honoring the struggles and triumphs of students around the globe. As members, we take pride in celebrating the advancements in educational development in our state under the leadership of Governor Umo Eno.
While appreciating Governor Eno for his numerous reforms in the educational sector, the students appealed for equal opportunities for all Akwa Ibom students, not just those in specific professions.
“We appeal to the government and its agents to establish an inclusive and transparent framework, along with a feedback mechanism for student engagement. This framework will ensure regular consultations between the government and student organisations, such as NANS, NAAKISS, the Council of SUG, and other student bodies.”
They deliberated on various critical issues affecting students, including poor selection in bursary payments, non-payment of educational grants, and persistent delays in the conduct of NAAKISS worldwide elections, even as they appealed for urgent government attention to these concerns.
The meeting was attended by Vice Chairman Comrade Margaret Moore, State Secretary, Comrade David Esenowo, and other members of the State Working Committee of the NUJ.
