Nigeria @66: NANS scribe salutes Nigerians, calls for renewed patriotism, youth participation

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), National Headquarters, has felicitated with the government and people of Nigeria, particularly the student community, on the occasion of the nation’s 66th Independence Anniversary.

In a Thursday statement signed by its Secretary General, Comrade Oladimeji Uthman, NANS said sixty-six years after independence on October 1, 1960, the anniversary should be seen not just as a commemoration but as a continuing responsibility to build a nation worthy of the sacrifices of past heroes.

The association noted that Nigeria’s journey since independence has been marked by achievements, difficult moments and renewed possibilities.

“The attainment of sovereignty was not the product of one individual, region or generation. It was shaped by the contributions, negotiations, aspirations and sacrifices of Nigerians from different backgrounds.

“This historical reality offers a profound lesson: Nigeria has always been bigger than its differences,” the student body said.

NANS explained that Nigeria’s ethnic, religious and cultural diversities should be harnessed as sources of strength and creativity.

It further said the meaning of independence must evolve from political sovereignty to human development, equal opportunity, educational advancement and youth empowerment.

For students, it said, independence must mean freedom to acquire quality education without unnecessary barriers, the opportunity to acquire relevant skills, and the assurance that background does not determine the limits of one’s future.

The statement reads, “As we celebrate Nigeria at 66, the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) believes that the meaning of independence must continually evolve from political sovereignty to human development, equal opportunity, educational advancement, economic inclusion, justice and the empowerment of citizens to fulfill their potential.

“For the Nigerian students, independence must mean the freedom to acquire quality education without unnecessary barriers; the freedom to dream beyond present circumstances; the opportunity to acquire relevant skills; the confidence to innovate; and the assurance that one’s background should not determine the limits of one’s future.

“Education remains one of the strongest instruments through which a nation transforms its population into productive human capital. Consequently, the Nigerian students community must remain central to every serious national conversation on development.

“A country cannot sustainably build a knowledge economy while its students are excluded from meaningful policy conversations.”

The student body called on all levels of government to place education, human capital development, research, innovation and employability at the centre of national development.

It urged government and stakeholders to strengthen the educational system, improve learning environments, support academic and non-academic staff, and expand opportunities for research and innovation, while ensuring that students have meaningful access to the tools required to compete in an increasingly knowledge-driven global economy.

NANS urged Nigerian students to move beyond being beneficiaries of development to becoming active participants in its design and execution.

“The future of Nigeria will not be built by government alone. It will be built in lecture halls and laboratories; through innovation, entrepreneurship and technology; through responsible citizenship,” it said.

The student body also called on students to reject academic dishonesty, violence, cultism, examination malpractice and intolerance.

Reaffirming its commitment to the Nigerian project, NANS said it would continue to advocate for accessible quality education, student welfare and youth inclusion.

“Our history is our foundation. Our unity is our strength. Our youth are our energy. Our students are our intellectual capital. And our future is a responsibility we must collectively build,” the statement further reads.