TheCable

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to urgently reshuffle the cabinet to save the nation’s ailing economy.

In a statement issued on Sunday, Chinonso Obasi, NANS president, said the association welcomed the president “with a deep sense of patriotism” from his medical vacation in the UK.

Buhari returned to the country on Saturday after leaving on May 7 to receive medical attention.

NANS called on the president to bring on board his cabinet “cerebral, competent, vibrant, contemporary and dynamic young” people to give a new breadth to the current administration.

The association also condemned the Boko Haram ambush which led go the death of some lecturers of the University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID), calling on the president to improve security in the university.

It also asked the president to speak on the ongoing strike by the Acamdemic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) during his Monday national broadcast.

“NANS, particularly, in strong terms condemn the unfortunate development in the north-east that led to the untimely and brutal murder of some lecturers of the University of Maiduguri and others on account of the gross insensitivity of the honourable minister of state petroleum who chose to embark on a dangerous exploration exercise in the Lake Chad region without consideration for the volatility of the region and calls for the immediate parameter fencing of the University to protect the inhabitants,” the statement read.

“The attention of Mr President is drawn to the fact that the critical challenge of the Nigerian universities and Nigerian Students is obviously and regrettably missing in the recently launched economic recovery and growth plan (ERGP).

“Going forward, the Nigerian students and youth should be deliberately included in decisions making process on issues that concerns them to enable them actively participate and contribute to the development efforts of the nation.

“Against the background of the numerous challenges facing the nation, Obasi urges Mr. President to use the opportunity of his return to quickly introduce a new sense of vigor into his administration by rejigging and repositioning his cabinet for effectiveness and efficiency by bringing on board, cerebral, competent, vibrant, contemporary and dynamic young people to herald and stimulate a whole new level of impetus and vibrancy in the administration of the ailing economy.”