The Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, and Chairman of the Governing Board of Osun State College of Health Technology, Ilesa, Abayomi Adegoke, have charged newly inaugurated executives of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), South-West Zone D, to embrace responsible leadership and contribute meaningfully to national development.
The charge was given on Friday during the inauguration of the NANS Zone D executives held at the Osun State College of Health Technology, Ilesa Campus.
Representing Governor Adeleke at the event, the Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Hon. Abiodun Bankole Ojo, urged the student leaders to see themselves as leaders of today rather than tomorrow.
He conveyed the governor’s call for greater inclusion of young women in student leadership, stressing the importance of gender balance in governance structures within NANS.
Ojo warned the newly inaugurated executives against compromising their future for financial inducements, advising them to remain focused and align with initiatives that would add value to their personal and professional growth.
He described the Adeleke administration as a “winning team,” highlighting infrastructural developments across the state, including road construction and expansion of educational institutions.
The commissioner reaffirmed the state government’s support for NANS, expressing confidence in the ability of the new leadership to deliver.
In his keynote address, Hon Abayomi Adegoke described leadership as a burden rather than a title, urging the student leaders to rise to the responsibilities of their offices without excuses.
He noted that NANS has historically served as the conscience of Nigerian students, playing a critical role in shaping national discourse and defending the rights of the oppressed.
Adegoke said in a period marked by national instability, student leaders must not remain silent or directionless, stressing that student unionism serves as a training ground for future national leaders.
He called on heads of tertiary institutions, particularly in the South-West, to allow student unionism to thrive, noting that it is essential for grooming credible leadership for the country.
The governing board chairman also urged NANS leaders to shift from confrontational approaches to constructive engagement with government, advocating dialogue driven by facts and solutions.
Highlighting the state government’s commitment to students, Adegoke said Osun has maintained progressive engagement with student leadership since 2007, including the appointment of special advisers on student affairs.
He added that Governor Adeleke has continued in that tradition by appointing former student leaders into his cabinet, describing the governor as a friend of students.
Adegoke disclosed that the governor few days ago announced bursary award for all eligible final year students who are indigene of Osun in all tertiary institutions across the country and those in private tertiary institutions within Osun State. He added that the governor has built many infrastructures and also approved construction of roads for all tertiary institutions across the state.
He urged the new executives to remain united and resist external influences that could undermine their leadership, warning against individuals who exploit and abandon student leaders.
The chairman advised them not to betray the trust reposed in them, urging discipline, courage, and a commitment to collective interest over personal gain.
Governor Ademola Adeleke, Hon. Adegoke, and the Commissioner for Youth, Hon. Olagunju Moshood Olalekan, among others were honoured with awards of excellence at the event.
Dignitaries present included, members of the college governing board, Monarch, representatives from the Ministry of Education, and student leaders from across the country.
