***Says he will prioritize education
As the 2023 general election draws closer the Presidential Candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Prince Adewole Adebayo, has challenged Nigerian students and the youth generally to make decisions regarding candidates contesting the 2023 general elections with the suffering masses in mind
Adebayo spoke on Wednesday when he played host to a delegation of the National Association of Nigeria Students (NANS) in Abuja.
Adebayo, who also owns the Kaftan TV, said that when elected as President of Nigeria in 2023 also promised to prioritize Education and engage youths in leadership roles if elected as President of the country next year.
He added that he would be on the side of the masses by being committed to addressing challenges facing the country, including the education sector.
He advised the association not to only speak for students, but to play the role of representatives of the masses.
“The solution to your problem cannot come unless you have a critical mass that is going to hold the leadership accountable,” he said.
According to him, Nigeria needed to improve on its education standards adding that, he would tackle the challenges of funds and other factors causing the closure of public universities for months.
With a solid policy for education that would be implemented when he becomes president of Nigeria the issue of funding for universities would not be an issue but having a committed leader who would not turn education to looting centre.
“When I am elected president, I will ensure that government is removed from the Board of Trustees of the Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) and credible Nigerians are selected to serve on the board of trustees outside government control.
“I will not put a single politician on the government council of any university,” he said.
Salahudeen Lukman, NANS Director of Policy, Research and Partnerships, said the visit was part of the association’s decision to engage with all serious political party flagbearers ahead of the 2023 general elections on their plans for the youth of the country.
Lukman, who is also Head, NANs Political Engagement, said that the students who constituted critical percentage of the Nigeria population, had decided to be actively involved in 2023 general elections.
“It becomes necessity that in every decision that is critical, that determines or dictates our living standards in the next four years, Nigerian students must take a critical decision and take position.
“This has informed the decision of the NANS national leadership to constitute this very powerful and intelligent team of NANS leaders across the six geopolitical zones of this country.”
He said that such engagement with candidates on their plans for education and youth employment would form the association’s directive to its members on who to be supported in 2023.
Lukman said that Nigerian youths were not happy with the current security and economic situation, including the continuous close down of universities for months.
He said that the close down of public universities for months had made high number of youths as available tools for insecurity affecting the country.
