By JACOB PNJEWU DICKSON
The brand new president of the National Association of Polytechnic Students (NAPS), Comrade Eshiofune Paul Oghayan (aka Shoprite) has assured his members nationwide that it is a brand new era, where all that have been victimized, will have a vibrant voice to speak for them.
ShopRite expressed this, in his acceptance speech after emerging victorious at the end of the National Convention held at the Justice Fatilami Institute of Legal Studies, Minna, Niger State.
“For students and unions that have been victimized, expelled, truncated or dissolved. I assure you that it is a new dawn, so tell those responsible that we are coming and it is not going to be business as usual,” he declared.
According to him, those lessons learnt from the past, shall form the foundation upon which the new leadership shall build a formidable service oriented leadership to the polytechnic students nationwide.
“Let me start by appreciating Almighty God the supreme giver of life and enabler of all human endeavours who made today possible
“The journey leading to this day has been long, challenging and costly but every step leading to this day had it’s own lessons to offer.
“My team and I travelled round the 36 states and FCT canvassing for votes and yesterday, majority of the senators spoke through the ballot giving us a mandate to led them. I promise that we shall deliver well on the mandate We have been given and we shall protect our mandate with honor and dignity!” He said.
According to him, polytechnic students across the country should be assured that they shall present their needs before relevant authorities for solutions
“We will develop ideas that will make their learning and living conditions on campus easy and comfortable in line with international best standard,” he assured.
Reaching out to opponents, he said, ” As you all know in every contest, there are victors and vanquished but in the spirit of sportsmanship and by the powers vested on me by the polytechnic students across Nigeria I hereby declare a no victor no vanquished status quo .
“Consequently I call on all those who contested with us but did not win, to join us in giving NAPS a beautiful new beginning. I beseech them to desist from the temptation of declaring faction as we will not tolerate such.
“To the senators, leaders and cadres of NAPS, I am most grateful for finding me Worthy of leading this organization.
“To the management of JUSTICE FATILAMI INSTITUTE OF LEGAL STUDIES, I thank you for providing your school as venue for convention .
“To all the security network in Niger state (the police, the DSS, Civil defense and others ) we thank you for ensuring a peaceful process.
To the Niger State students community we say thank you .
“To the Niger State Government we thank you for creating a peaceful environment that enabled the safety of all delegates and contingents.
“Of the greatest Nigeria students I urge you all to believe in The RENEWED HOPE AGENDA of mr president considering his commitment to students welfare and wellbeing as demonstrated by his students loan scheme policy and the distribution of CNG buses in tertiary institutions.
“I wish to further commit that the CNG bus to national associations of polytechnic students when received by our leadership will be judiciously used for the benefit of Nigeria students.
“There’s no doubt that the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu led administration is helbelt in making Nigeria a conducive atmosphere for living. On this note we say “NIGERIA IS IN SAFE HANDS”
“Once again to all the Polythenics students across the length and breadth of Nigeria I say thank you.
ALUTA CONTINUA!!! VICTORIA ASCERTA!!!” He declared.