Student of tertiary institutions from Anambra origin have called on the state governor, Chief Willie Obiano to look into their plight and pay them bursary as a way of ameliorating the sufferings of their parents and guardians and also encouraging younger ones in their quest for higher education.
Speaking under the aegis of National Union of Anambra State Students(NUASS), a cross section of the members who spoke during a convention of the union to elect a new set of executives to run its affairs for the next one year, said that their ultimate goal have always been to get the attention of the state governor, by way of payment of bursary.
The President of the union, Comrade Israel Anozie said his ultimate goal as a leader would be to see the government pay members of the union, the same way they have watched government of other states pay their indigenes in institutions across the state.
Anozie who is the outgoing president said, “within my tenure as the president of this union, I was able to achieve recognition for the group. Initially, the body was not recognized by the State government, but during my tenure, I was able to get recognition for the group.
“It was my tenure that got the previous education commissioner, Dr Uju Okeke to recognize us. Before now, we had several student’s group, but today, through my efforts, Anambra students speak as one. Now, when we write letters, the ministry file it and also reply us, it has never been happening before.
“Before now, when we write letters, they usually dump our letters because they are too many letters coming from student groups, and they do not know which one to attend to.”
Anozie said that through his efforts, the association was brought close to Anambra Students, with it registering members in over 50 tertiary institutions in the country including the national Open University(NOUN).
He called on the incoming president of the association to concentrate his efforts in ensuring that bursary is paid to student of Anambra origin, especially now that he has achieved recognition for the group.
Also speaking, Igwe Ikedinobi Rapuluchukwu who is also the monarch of Anambra students said, “Some states’ indigenes who are in our institutions receive bursary, but it has not been so for Anambra students.
“I am currently in my final year, I cannot even boost of what the government has done for me, since my days in the primary and secondary education. We are earnestly calling on the state governor to look towards this direction.”
Our correspondent who monitored the conduct of the election reports that the election which was conducted under a peaceful atmosphere saw Comrade Atuanya Johnpaul winning the presidential seat of the union.
Other candidates who won positions include; Uchechukwu Nriaka; Vice President, Marcel Udogalanya; Financial Secretary, Raphael Anaechi; Treasurer, Ikechukwu Chukwuemeka; Provost, Smith Ilo; Public Relations Officer and Nnaemeke Nwele Director of Social.
In his acceptance speech, the newly elected president, Atuanya praised the efforts of the incumbent president, saying that he will strive to continue where he stopped, while also repackaging the union to gain acceptance from government and other corporate organization, so as to be able to attract scholarships and bursary.
