Ahead of Rerun Election in Cross River: NANS Organizes 2 Million Man March in Calabar (20/8/08)

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) Cross River State in conjunction with other Youth Organizations in the State Tuesday in Calabar, organized a 2 million man solidarity march to garner support for Senator Liyel Imoke in the rerun election in the state.

Led by the National Vice President of NAN, Comrade Godwin Jerome the students said that the aim of the march was to conscientise Cross Riverians on the need to revalidate their earlier mandate to Senator Imoke because according to them, he has put in so much in a bid to transform the state and its people.

He appealed to Imoke to wade into the perennial industrial crises in Cross River University of Technology (CRUTECH) which he noted has disrupted academic activities adding that an office accommodation be made available for the NANS Secretariat.

Comrade Jerome lauded the scholarship scheme initiated by Imoke and also asked that embargo on employment be lifted so that those trained can be gainfully employed.

In his remarks, the State Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Ntufam Ekpo Okon expressed his delight to the leadership of NANS for being focused and committed to the course of Imoke and urged them to concretize the love by coming out to vote on August, 23 during the rerun election.

Speaking at the occasion, the Acting Governor Hon. Francis Adah who was represented by the Hon. Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Mr. Raymond Obeten reminded the students of government’s genuine desire to empower them by first, establishing the Ministry of Youth Development.

He maintained that the Ministry was well positioned to ensure that their potentials are properly harnessed to bring about proper enhancement of their socio-economic lives and well being.

Responding, Senator Liyel Imoke who was overwhelmed with joy said his focus while in office was on how the youths and students who are the future of the state could be better placed in line with current trend by providing basic facilities that can compete favourably globally in CRUTECH with best hands to complement the effort.

Imoke disclosed that the State’s College of Education would commence academic activities in the last quarter of the year while assuring that all programmes in CRUTECH will gain full accreditation.

He promised to reinstate the bursary programme earlier suspended. Pointing that government will secure office accommodation to NANS as well as provide hostel facilities in CRUTECH and also assist Uncial in tackling the hostel problems there.

Imoke urged them to come out and express their franchise on August 23, peacefully and harmoniously.

Government House Press