THE tenure of Comrade Theophilus Ibodeme, the National President of NAESS, has been hugely characterised by unprecedented successes which hitherto, was relatively unknown in the history of the association.
The President in this interview with Ken Abu, Education Correspondent of The NIGERIAN OBSERVER bares his mind on the journey so far in pulling the association out of oblivion and giving students of Edo extraction across the country a platform to be heard and his challenges in the hands of his detractors.
Excerpts:
May we meet you?
I am Comrade Theophilus Ibodeme, the National President of National Association of Edo State students.
The latest development in NAESS.
Currently NAESS is preparing for a national convention which has been scheduled for September 17, 2010 by the National Congress of chapters president because the congress has the final mandate to decide where and when national conventions are organised. According to a memo dated June 27, 2010 at a meeting of congress held at the banquet hall of University of Benin, it was unanimously agreed that the national convention be held on the September 17, 2010.
The state of NAESS, they have called us for negotiations we are supposed to embark on a protest but we have shielded our sword and are waiting for the negotiation meeting. So as it stands now while we are waiting for that negotiation meeting all hands are in top gear towards the conduct of the next national convention. Committees have been set-up, planning committee and the handing-over ceremony committee will be inaugurated on Friday as regards the forthcoming convention.
As we speak this moment I want to state categorically here for the avoidance of doubt that NAESS is not enmeshed in any internal crisis or whatsoever as it is being speculated in some quarters. NAESS is intact, the chapters presidents are functioning effectively in unity and preparing earnestly for the convention ceremony on September 17th while the handing-over ceremony is scheduled to hold on September 18th, 2010 immediately after the convention.
What led to the indefinite suspension of Comrade Collins Osaghae and Comrade Samson Igiebor from NAESS?
These comrades were erstwhile members of NAESS who have been suspended indefinitely for their involvement in some nefarious activities and their willful determination was to ensure that the fortune of NAESS regressed. They were my personal aides however I have since suspended them some four months ago.
They are no longer relevant in the scheme of development as far as NAESS is concerned because I felt that their input into the association was clearly at variance with the ideal of NAESS as clearly articulated in the constitution and their continued presence in the association would portend a grave consequence for the future of NAESS, so the need for their suspension from the association.
Misconducts by these two members in the manner of fighting in public places, financial impropriety and acts of insubordination brazenly characterised the behaviours and actions of these two comrades and this you know was a threat to our sanctity which must be respected, protected and preserved at all cost.
The relevant authorities in the state, are they are abreast of these issues threatening the sanctity of NAESS?
NAESS has no factions, whatsoever or problems as we speak. The sanctity of NAESS is intact and well respected by members.
The last time I checked we were supposed to be demanding for bursary scholarship for all students of Edo extraction and this is currently being handled by the appropriate authority, right now we are waiting for the option of negotiation. The speaker of the Edo state House of Assembly has promised to step into the bursary crisis because the last peaceful action by Edo students for the award of bursary scholarship was held on the 21st of July 2010 there the Speaker personally gave his word that he would call us for negotiation. And we are still expecting that meeting because presently the House is on recess.
However the office of the SSA, Commissioner for Education, Chief of staff are aware because the communiqué was sent to their various offices as regards the position of NAESS in the award of bursary scholarship to Edo student and generally the challenges of Edo students worldwide.
Any reactions to the allegations of financial impropriety levelled against your administration by the two suspended members of NAESS?
Yes, a confused man runs from pillar to post when he is not being chased. The NAESS constitution clearly states that the power lies in the congress or the general assembly. As I speak these two young were not members of the congress and were also not chapter President but were members of the association until now. I am using my good office to carry these young men along because Collins Osaghae is a part-time students who has no business in NAESS because he lacks completely the voting right in the affairs of NAESS except as a mere observer.
The state of things these young men are claiming allegation, where is this allegation coming from? Is it from the congress that resolved that the national convention should hold on the September 17th? As I speak with you we have forty three (43) chapter presidents who appended there signature on the communiqué issued at the last National Congress of Chapters presidents of National Association of Edo State students which was held on June 27, 2010 at the banquet hall of University of Benin.
As I speak the Dean of Student, University of Benin is aware of the meeting by congress, because he approved the venue for the meeting of congress and he was on hand to observe proceedings unfortunately for Collins Osaghae and Samson Igiebor they didn’t have the previledge of been there because they were already suspended members of the association. As it stands they lack current information because they have been kept in the dark which is why their information is a complete falsehood because two of them do not even form one-third of the congress let alone the two-third majority.
The constitution states that before any action is taken it should be carried out by the two-third majority of the General Assembly or the congress which comprise all chapters presidents. As I speak with you Samson Igiebor and Collins Osaghae are both part-time students and not chapter presidents you can go to the University of Benin to verify, their status as student.
My attention has been drawn to the issue of hundred naira dues, I want to make this clear categorically that the National Executive Council did not embark on any collection of N100 dues because upon my assumption of office I felt this would amount to a flagrant abuse of office/power if we embarked on such collections.
At the national executive council meeting it was agreed that we will never collect dues from chapters but I believe constitutionally that chapters have their constitutional rights to collect dues from their various chapters but not the national body.
The national executive council and the chapters operate on two different constitutions. So we have never collected any dues from any chapter.
As regards the two millions naira (N2m) that was given to us to incite members of NAESS against the government of Comrade Oshiomhole, this is preposterous I must tell you that the statement lacks credibility.
What we are demanding for is that, the Comrade Governor should pay bursary to Edo Students because in the entire South-South zone, our colleagues are entitled to bursary award. So we felt it was high time we press for our demand because the students have been abandoned as far higher institution is concerned and we commend his effort at the primary and post-primary education sector.
I dare either one of them to forward any proof they have in their position stating where and how the N2m was presented to me. In my entire life I have not seen N2m, I don’t work with any political party so if they can substantiate the allegation that I collected N2m to incite my members against government they should come forward with their evidence, however as it stands the allegations are predicated entirely on falsehood and completely unfounded.
What role is NANS playing in these issues involving NAESS?
The constitution didn’t empower NANS to intervene in the issues involving NAESS, just as much as the Commissioner for Education can not interfere into student affairs except to offer advisory role which NANS as an umbrella body of Nigerian students have played. However, issues involving NAESS are strictly confined to the jurisdiction of the congress of NAESS or the National Executive council which is the overall authority with vested powers to resolve issues.
As your tenure draws to an end, what achievements do you have on record?
I have barely 16 days in office and I believe before we came on board NAESS had no face in Edo State and in Nigeria at large. Our achievements these much include: we embarked on diplomatic and cultural exchange programme, in Cross-River; we facilitated the provisions of computer systems for the association; the acknowledgement of the struggle for students of the Edo extraction by the Comrade Governor was rewarded with a presentation of a brand new Toyota bus to facilitate movement around all our chapters across the country;
The promotion and protection of the welfare and interest of Edo State students nationwide. The conduct of the first ever national congress of chapters President which has never been heard of, the consolidation of the unity of Edo State student nationwide and the integrity of the association because the association had been battered by previous administrations, we have been able to organize the first ever national sports festival/talent hunt in Afuze at Michael Imoudu College of Physical Health Education which was sponsored by ALGON and the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs supervised the whole activities, the struggle for the confirmation of UBE nominees, implementation of Teacher Salary Scheme which is currently on-going, we protested to the palace of the Benin Monarch when the former Minister of Defence withdrew the services of Military Personnel of Operation thunderstorm when the security of the state was under the constant threats of kidnappers, armed-robbers etc.
Promotion of our cultural heritage, the inauguration of additional NAESS chapters within and outside Edo State; the proposed site for NAESS complex that would be accessible to students of Edo extraction seeking information about the day-to-day operations of NAESS and our struggle to ensure the re-opening of Institute of Continuing Education during the almost one-year period of closure; The bursary scholarship struggle because it is our sincere belief that Edo State students are long over due for this; NAESS constitution amendment/review which is long over due.
Any word of advice to students of Edo Extraction across the country?
We should be good ambassadors of this state. They should debunk the spurious and unfounded allegations which emanated from the two suspended members of NAESS who are seeking relevance for the pursuit of their selfish political agenda.
They should concentrate and focus more on their studies. Above all they should shun cultism, drug abuse, prostitution and hooliganism. They must keep the flag of NAESS, Edo State and the country flying whenever they are called upon. |
