In an interview with NANS distinguish comrades, Comrade Chuks Okafor discussed having an acceptable constitution, a responsible financial secretary and treasurer, and some strategic way to reposition NANS.
The interviewers are : Sen. Umar Idris Abba Comrade Oladimeji Uthman and Comr. Umar Bello Galadima.
SP: I am pleased to be here
Good evening to this great minds and leaders of today
Interviewer: We would like to have a brief introduction from our special guest. People are eager to know more about you sir.
SP: BRIEF CITATION OF COMRADE CHUKS INNOCENT OKAFOR
Chuks Innocent Okafor was born into the family of Sir & Lady Okafor in Nkwelle-Ezunaka village of Oyi Local Government Area, Anambra State.
He attended Ogbundo primary school and Model Comprehensive Secondary School both in
Nkwelle-Ezunaka.
In his continuous pursuit of advance and quality Education, Comrade Chuks Okafor was enrolled into Federal polytechnic Nekede Owerri, Imo State to study Electrical Electronics Engineering (EEE) where he obtained Ordinary National Diploma (OND) and Higher National Diploma (HND) in Electrical Electronic Engineering with excellent grades.
In 2009, Comrade Chuks Okafor was again admitted to study Management Technology at the Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO), Owerri, Imo State having already acquired OND & HND in Electrical Electronics
Engineering. He graduated in 2013 with B. Eng and served the compulsory one year National Youths Service
(NYSC) in Delta state where he was among the best serving Corps member.
Comrade Okafor was a great Student unionist, activist and Comrade; former Secretary and Deputy Coordinator of NANS ZONE B.
The zone comprise of seventy-five (75) tertiary
institutions across South\East and South\South Nigeria (Anambra, Enugu, Ebonyi, Abia, Imo, Rivers, Delta,
Cross-River, Edo, Akwa-Ibom).
He exhibited and maintained patriotism, excellence, transparency, honesty, accountability, good representation and all inclusive leadership during his days as a Student activist and equally ensured and upheld unity in diversity which ranks him as one of the youngest and most efficient NANS executive member since history.
In 2019, Comrade Chuks Innocent Okafor contested the State House of Assembly election in Anambra State.
He has won for himself numerous awards and made it to spotlight of excellence academically/Politically and
numerous others.
Comrade Engr. Chuks Innocent Okafor is also a writer and lover of Arts, he authored a bestselling book titled
“Vision of Heroes Past”.
Interviewer: Regards to your success in the previous election, can you tell us what are the strategies you followed that led to your success?
SP: Well first and foremost I give God all the Glory for His infinite mercy ,love and grace towards me through out the whole exercise. As a former Secretary and Deputy Coordinator of NANS Zone B where I emerged unopposed in the different elections at the time ; I won unopposed because I was able to visit all the SUG presidents of various institutions in their campuses discussed with them one on one. I equally visited all the stakeholders including the ones that I was asked not to visit because of camp difference. Having gannered a lot of experience from those offices held in zone B ,I only replicated in the other three zones and because I have been proven and tested by my zones both the stakeholders and SUG presidents stood firmly for me which have never happened since the history of the zone. It’s the unity of my zone which invariably gave me the overwhelming support and including the hard work of touring the whole 36 states including FCT.
Interviewer: NANS is a wide association that requires attention, you’re destined to be one of to leads, how do you plan on steering the association for the better?
SP: First is to Ensure we have an acceptable NANS constitution which for over 41 years haven’t been achieved, second is to ensure we have one NANS account number that would allow the Fin Sec and Treasurer to exercise their sole responsibility of being elected ;also it would help us transit not just power to our successors but with finance. Thirdly I would ensure that the priority of the students welfarism would at all times remain my cardinal project. And most importantly we would be able to strongly and consiciously make our voice heard and adhered to when it comes to national issues of discuss especially in political sphere and society at Large . I have a serious programme that would unite the students across political boards to ensure we take our destiny in electioneering periods be it in state or Nigeria at large.
Interviewer: My second to the last question is what are the strategies to avoid spread of the novel coronavirus in campuses ?
SP: His Excellency the Revolutionary President of our Noble association have inaugurated a committee in all the state to ensure total compliance across every campus in each state. And these committee would liase continually with the national committee to ensure every necessary materials needed to ensure the safety of our students in campuses are provided by the FG.
Interviewer: Distinguish SP, do you think social distancing could be maintained in Nigerian universities?
Interviewer: It’s almost time sir, but as we promised the audience you will answer two questions from them. My colleague is ready to send their questions directly to you.
Audience: Am Comr. Thomas Oko
SUG president of Peaceland college of Education Enugu.
My question is, God has made you win. what plans did yoi have for NANS and her senators ? And how can you take back NAN’S to campus.
SP: Revert back to one of the questions I believe it has been taken care of. Taking NANS back to campus is the only one I haven’t touched.. And it can only be done first by ensuring we have a working Constitution ,which I would inaugurate the Constitution review committee at the emergency Senate meeting
Moreso I would digitalize voting in our organization which is the best way to eliminate undue process in electiing the leadership of the association and this can only be achieved with the help of the president and majority of the well meaning stakeholders of the organization.
Audience: I’m Comrade Sadiq Alhassan. What’s the role of Senate President regarding the Senators? And the role of Chairman Presidential Forum SUG?
SP: I believe he knows that the Senate President is in charge of the legislative arm of the association. The chairman presidential forum of SUG to my understanding is not elective position rather it’s an appointive position and as such may not have requisite power to do some certain things or have power over his fellow SUG presidents, but can harmoniously work together for their collective purposes.
Audience: On the latest going on In Abuja I.e the protest. What’s the team Reaction towards it? Comrade Tijani Abdulsalam (TJ EDUCATIONAL).
SP: I have reacted to this question in another platform. We are already in touch with management. And by God’s grace we would be in the school by Wednesday to ascertain the true nature of the situation.
Interviewer: May God bless the SP. And have a goodnight Sir. We are very happy in having you here.
SP: Thanks and may God bless us all
Pleased to be here.
Interviewer: Ladies and gentlemen here we come to the end of the program. Thank you for been with us.
