COVID-19 Update: NANS Zone B's Messianic Intervention to Stranded Students(photos)
By Bright Olorungbotemi
Nigeria is one of the countries in a long list of places where the COVID-19 pandemic is wrecking havoc. All sectors of the economy have felt the debilitating effects of the ailment, VOICE AIR Media reports.
The education sector is one of the worst affected areas in Nigeria.
Activities at all levels of the educational system have been put on hold by the federal government.
Students have seen their academic calendar disrupted by the pandemic.
Cessation of studies is however not the only challenge confronting the students.
Presently, many students are stranded at most campuses of higher learning courtesy of the lockdown order. Returning to their bases have become virtually impossible.
"Starving has been the order of the day since this lockdown order was pronounced", Godwin Enobong, a Computer Science student of Abia State Polytechnic, told our reporter.
In a bid to ameliorate the plight of most of the stranded students, the leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Zone B (South South), led by its Coordinator, Comrade Etinyene Friday Offongekpe, has flagged off an intensive distribution of palliatives to the affected students.
The palliatives comprise mostly of food items.
So far, students of University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic and Akwa Ibom State College of Education have benefitted.
Sensitization on the pandemic was also done by the NANS Zone B team.
The exercise is scheduled to continue throughout the zone in the coming days.
Speaking at the visited campuses, the Coordinator, Comr. Offongekpe reiterated NANS commitment to ensuring that the welfare of students is prioritized.
While advising them from indulging in acts capable of marring their educational pursuit, Offongekpe expressed optimism that the concerted efforts at tackling the scourge will culminate in its eradication.
The benefitting students spoke glowingly of the leadership of NANS ZONE B.
Unwana Ibanga Michael, a Year 2 Chemistry student of Akwa Ibom State College of Education, called on relevant authorities to emulate the gesture: "My family is based in Port Harcourt, I have been unable to return home since the lockdown order was given.
I wish to thank Comrade Offongekpe and NANS for this gesture. May other quarters emulate this widow's mite gesture, I am really grateful."
On his part, Precious Azubuike Nelson, a Philosophy student of the University of Uyo, also lauded the NANS Zone B leadership.
"As the NANS Zone B has deemed it necessary to reach out to us at this point in time, we are very elated as you can see. At least, we will have something to keep body and soul together for some days. God bless NANS Zone B."
It is on record that Comrade Offongekpe was the first student leader of NANS to kickstart the campaign against COVID-19 by providing facemasks, hand sanitizers as well as educating the students on possible preventive measures.
Offongekpe, a Communication Arts Student of University of Uyo, was elected in October 2019 at the delegates convention at University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State.
A one time Worldwide President of Etim Ekpo Students Association succeeded Comrade Bishop Godson Okereke of Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Imo State.
Since being inaugurated in December 2019, NANS ZONE B has been a beehive of activities.
The coordinator first embarked on campus facilities tour during which he met with management of institutions across the zone.
He had a closed-door meeting with the management of Ebonyi State University to resolve salient issues including tuition fees hikes, SUG election, students accommodation etc.
At Ambrose Ali University, Ekpoma, Edo State, Comrade Offongekpe also intervened in students and management issue which led to the settlement of the hostel allocation problem.
Other photos below...
These and other intervention of Comrade Offongekpe embolden the rife belief that NANS ZONE B is in safe hands.
Long may the good works continue.
Nigeria is one of the countries in a long list of places where the COVID-19 pandemic is wrecking havoc. All sectors of the economy have felt the debilitating effects of the ailment, VOICE AIR Media reports.
The education sector is one of the worst affected areas in Nigeria.
Activities at all levels of the educational system have been put on hold by the federal government.
Students have seen their academic calendar disrupted by the pandemic.
Cessation of studies is however not the only challenge confronting the students.
Presently, many students are stranded at most campuses of higher learning courtesy of the lockdown order. Returning to their bases have become virtually impossible.
"Starving has been the order of the day since this lockdown order was pronounced", Godwin Enobong, a Computer Science student of Abia State Polytechnic, told our reporter.
In a bid to ameliorate the plight of most of the stranded students, the leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Zone B (South South), led by its Coordinator, Comrade Etinyene Friday Offongekpe, has flagged off an intensive distribution of palliatives to the affected students.
The palliatives comprise mostly of food items.
So far, students of University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic and Akwa Ibom State College of Education have benefitted.
Sensitization on the pandemic was also done by the NANS Zone B team.
The exercise is scheduled to continue throughout the zone in the coming days.
Speaking at the visited campuses, the Coordinator, Comr. Offongekpe reiterated NANS commitment to ensuring that the welfare of students is prioritized.
While advising them from indulging in acts capable of marring their educational pursuit, Offongekpe expressed optimism that the concerted efforts at tackling the scourge will culminate in its eradication.
The benefitting students spoke glowingly of the leadership of NANS ZONE B.
Unwana Ibanga Michael, a Year 2 Chemistry student of Akwa Ibom State College of Education, called on relevant authorities to emulate the gesture: "My family is based in Port Harcourt, I have been unable to return home since the lockdown order was given.
I wish to thank Comrade Offongekpe and NANS for this gesture. May other quarters emulate this widow's mite gesture, I am really grateful."
On his part, Precious Azubuike Nelson, a Philosophy student of the University of Uyo, also lauded the NANS Zone B leadership.
"As the NANS Zone B has deemed it necessary to reach out to us at this point in time, we are very elated as you can see. At least, we will have something to keep body and soul together for some days. God bless NANS Zone B."
It is on record that Comrade Offongekpe was the first student leader of NANS to kickstart the campaign against COVID-19 by providing facemasks, hand sanitizers as well as educating the students on possible preventive measures.
Offongekpe, a Communication Arts Student of University of Uyo, was elected in October 2019 at the delegates convention at University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State.
A one time Worldwide President of Etim Ekpo Students Association succeeded Comrade Bishop Godson Okereke of Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Imo State.
Since being inaugurated in December 2019, NANS ZONE B has been a beehive of activities.
The coordinator first embarked on campus facilities tour during which he met with management of institutions across the zone.
He had a closed-door meeting with the management of Ebonyi State University to resolve salient issues including tuition fees hikes, SUG election, students accommodation etc.
At Ambrose Ali University, Ekpoma, Edo State, Comrade Offongekpe also intervened in students and management issue which led to the settlement of the hostel allocation problem.
Other photos below...
Long may the good works continue.
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