he immediate past Secretary-General of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Bariereka David, has refuted allegations that the student body is under external influence.
Speaking to our reporter, Emelda Ifeme, David clarified that while NANS does receive support from individuals and corporate organizations from time to time, this should not be misinterpreted as external control over their activities.
He acknowledged that, among others, Seyi Tinubu, the son of the President, has provided various forms of support to the association. However, David strongly emphasized that claims suggesting Seyi Tinubu has “bought over” NANS are exaggerated and do not accurately reflect the nature of his contributions.
“While we appreciate the support we receive from various quarters, including from individuals like Seyi Tinubu, it’s important to understand that this support does not translate into control over our operations or decisions,” David stated.
Addressing the reported division within NANS, Bariereka David confirmed that the officially recognized president of the association is Olushola Ladoja. This statement aims to clarify the leadership structure amidst reports of internal disputes.
Furthermore, David stated that student union bodies across universities in Rivers State have declared Atiku Abubakar Isa as persona non grata. The reasons behind this declaration were not immediately detailed in his comments.
