NANS Hails 27-Year Streak of Unbroken Democratic Rule as a Milestone Worth Commemorating

A Democracy Day walk, convened by the National Association of Nigerian Students under Akinteye Babatunde Afeez's leadership, presents an occasion to ponder Nigeria's 27-year stretch of uninterrupted democratic governance, according to Abdullahi Muhammad Saleh, also known as Game Changer, who heads the NANS Senate Secretariat.

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Saleh, speaking at the Kano event on Friday, noted that the country's democratic journey has broadened citizen participation in governance and improved access to opportunities, thereby having a profound impact on the lives of Nigerians.

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The anniversary, Saleh asserted, should serve not only as a celebration but also as a moment to assess the impact of democracy on Nigerian lives, making it an achievement worthy of recognition, as he stated, "We are here to celebrate democracy and the 27 years of uninterrupted democratic rule in Nigeria."

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Democracy, Saleh argued, has provided citizens with essential freedoms and opportunities, including freedom of speech, freedom of movement, and freedom of expression, as long as these expressions remain within the law.

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He cited access to educational support as a significant gain of democracy, pointing to government-backed initiatives like the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, which enables children from less privileged backgrounds to pursue higher education with support from NELFUND, including upkeep support while on campus.

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Reflecting on Nigeria's democratic transitions, Saleh observed that successive administrations, from Olusegun Obasanjo to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, have contributed to national development, with each administration bringing its unique developmental contributions, as he noted, "At our age, we have witnessed transitions from President Obasanjo to President Tinubu."

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Saleh also highlighted technological advancement as a benefit of democratic governance, citing the introduction and expansion of mobile telecommunications during the Obasanjo era, which transformed communication in Nigeria and continues to benefit Nigerians today.

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Addressing concerns over student abductions, Saleh stated that NANS remains committed to promoting student welfare and security, noting that NANS President Akinteye visited Oyo State to discuss security concerns and reassure students of the association's support shortly after assuming office.

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NANS, Saleh added, regularly organizes security awareness programs at national, zonal, state, and campus levels, encouraging students to be security-conscious and support efforts to improve safety through structures that disseminate information from the national level to campuses and communities.

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Acknowledging that students cannot directly solve the country's security challenges, Saleh urged both federal and state governments to prioritize security and education, stating, "Security should remain a top priority, and after security, education deserves urgent attention due to its importance to national development."

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He also called on Nigerians to support security agencies by providing timely and credible information, emphasizing that "if we observe suspicious activities in our communities, we should promptly alert the appropriate authorities, as security is a collective responsibility."

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Saleh further appealed for improved electricity supply to educational institutions, noting that many departments rely on power to operate equipment used for practical training, and stressed the need to equip students with practical and vocational skills to enhance self-reliance after graduation.