The National Association of University Students (NAUS) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have urged University students make judicious use of the Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) in ensuring that the right leaders were elected at the forthcoming general elections.
The call was made at an electioneering awareness summit themed “Setting Nigeria on the path of greater prosperity; voting to sustain democracy in 2023” held at Bayero University, Kano (BUK).
Speaking, the convener and National Publicity Secretary, NAUS, Taiye Tosin Joseph, said , “the 2023 general elections have been described by many political analysts, as a very crucial one to the destiny of Nigeria, as we seek to turn around the nation’s socio-economic fortunes for the better. As a matter of fact, many believe that the forthcoming general election will either make or mar Nigeria, no thanks to the current harrowing economy, and tension in parts of the country bothering on secessionist agitation, pursued through violence. One cannot help but agree with them. But the question begging for an answer is, do Nigerians, especially the students, know that if another mistake is made, we would have to wait for another four years to right the wrong?
“Contemporary Nigeria demands that we should be intentional and deliberate towards general elections. Nigerian Students are always at the receiving end of every hardship. The issue of ASUU strike, cashless policy, massive educational fallout coupled with mismanagement of economy have rekindled our passion to educate students on what their votes depict.
“We know our strength! Students will decide who will be the next president of Nigeria for 70 percent of newly registered voters are youths while 40 percent are students according to analysis of INEC. However, we cannot just brag about our strength if we don’t know how to use it judiciously.
“As patriotic Nigerians, nothing should matter to us more than the absolute enthusiasm to salvage the country, to bring sanity into the system. We also need to ignore every distraction masquerading as a political campaign. There is also need for us (the students) to be intentional in our quest for a country that works for everyone, irrespective of political affiliation, class, creed, age and tribe.
“This demands that students must get ready to go through the rigours of walking the talk. By and large, we must wake up and get it right.”
Delivering a keynote speech, the Zonal commander, Kano, EFCC, who was represented by his deputy, Ofenimu Atiba Sunday who spoke intensively on the role of the student towards achieving a sane society, tasks them to shun juvenile delinquencies especially at a time the country needs them the most.
“Politicians are already aligning and re-aligning on who gets the votes, don’t even allow them to come near. Don’t listen to their lies that whether you vote or not, your vote will not count. If your vote is not important, they will not buy it.”
