NANS Vice President External, Akinteye Mourns Queen Elizabeth II, Hails Security Operatives Over Arrest Of Bandits’ Negotiator
The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has commiserated with the United Kingdom over the death yesterday of British Monarch, Queen Elizabeth ll, who passed away at the age of 96 after a brief illness.
NANS Vice President External, Akinteye Babatunde Afeez in a statement on Friday described as sad the news of the passing of the queen.
Akinteye said the association consider the lifestyle of the Queen before her demise as one that should spur African leaders to do more for their people.
The statement read, “The national leadership of National Association of Nigerian students (NANS),the apex student association & representative body in Nigeria,the largest student movement in Africa (black race) and the umbrella body of all students’ organization in Nigeria committed to the struggle for the greater interests of all Nigerian students both home and diaspora (globally) received with shock the grievous news of the demise of Queen Elizabeth Alexandra Mary II who until her death was the Queen of the United Kingdom and other commonwealth realms.
“No doubt,this a terrifying news to the global constituency of NANS considering how active, healthy,agile and of course how tolerant and impactful the Queen was even in her old age,as such we find it imperative to condole with the royal family in the United Kingdom.
Nigerian students both home and diaspora most especially those in the United Kingdom prays and wish the late Queen peaceful eternal rest, May the Queen’s soul, spirit and body continue to rest in peace (Amen).
“We offer our condolences to the bereaved royal family and the citizens of the United Kingdom at large. It is in our best interests that you find solace in the irreplaceable loss you have sustained from the cold hands of death and that the Almighty grant you the fortitude to bear the invaluable loss.
“However, NANS considers the lifestyle of the Queen before her demise as one that should spur African leaders to do more for their people.
It is therefore pertinent to take cognitive measures of the lessons we can learn from Queen Elizabeth II during her days and reigns on planet earth.
“NANS explores this latitude of space to charge African leaders to do more for their people in terms of economic development, security, education,welfare, empowerment( most especially youth empowerment) among others and to prioritize the needs of their people selflessly.
“As a proactive body, we’re looking forward to building a world with zero tolerance for racial discrimination and a society that does not condone or entertain oppression and victimization of the blacks.
“This will however drive us to note worthily and say without any equivocation that during the late Queen’s reign,the black race enjoyed influx into the United Kingdom and the country’s dividends without any discrimination.
“Realistically, records have shown and time has proven that many blacks especially Nigerians are doing extremely well in the United Kingdom,this alone speaks volume about the late Queen’s large heart and her ability to embrace unity void of racism.
“This alone is a dream come true because the words and dream of the late freedom fighter, Reverend Dr Martin Luther king Jr that goes thus “I have a dream that one day my children (blacks) will live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character” is manifest and evident during the late Queen’s reign (this alone makes her memory a blessed one).”
NANS also hailed the Department of State Services (DSS) and other security operatives over the arrest of embattled bandits’ negotiator, Tukur Mamu.
“However,on the other hand,as a security conscious association,the leadership of Nigerian students under the auspice of National Association of Nigerian students (NANS) have received with enthusiasm the news of the arrest of one Alhaji Tukur Mamu who happens to be the lead negotiator between bandits and the passengers kidnapped from a kaduna-bound train in March,2022,” the statement by Akinteye read further.
“Mr Tukur was apprehended few days ago in Cairo, Egypt. His apprehension speaks volume and of course is a direct implication of how formidable the security network is in Nigeria and in Africa at large,this is highly commendable and applaudable.
“As much as we commend the efforts of security agencies/forces,it is expedient to at the same time charge them on the need to investigate further and thoroughly the activities of the intermediary.
“Without mincing words,we charge the security personnels to putting more effort in nabbing individuals or groups responsible for such odious acts and bringing them to book without considering their status inasmuch as they’re aiding & abetting banditry and insurgency in the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the continent at large.”
