The Chairman of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Ogun State Joint Campus Committee (JCC), Comrade Olabode Farouq Success, has moved to strengthen collaboration with the media, pledging a strategic partnership with the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) to advance student welfare and reshape the image of student leadership.
Olabode made this known during a courtesy visit to the Chairman of the NUJ, Ogun State Council, Comrade Akinwale Olanrewaju, at the Iwe Iroyin Press Centre in Abeokuta.
The meeting focused on building a productive relationship between student leaders and the media to ensure balanced and accurate coverage of student-related issues across the state.
Speaking during the visit, the NANS JCC Chairman acknowledged the burden of leadership and expressed determination to restore the integrity of the student movement. He noted that his administration would prioritize intellectual engagement, constructive dialogue, and impactful representation.
According to him, student activism in recent years has lost its credibility, describing the system as “bastardized” and in need of urgent reform. He, however, assured that under his leadership, the JCC would reclaim its relevance and command respect from government authorities and institutional managements.
Olabode emphasized that his administration would focus on the welfare of students, maintaining that leadership must serve collective interests rather than personal ambitions.
He also expressed readiness to work closely with the NUJ to amplify student voices and bring attention to the challenges faced across tertiary institutions in Ogun State.
In his response, NUJ Chairman Akinwale Olanrewaju stressed the importance of accountability and personal responsibility in leadership. He advised the student leader to remain independent and resist undue political influence, warning against what he described as “voluntary slavery” to external interests.
Olanrewaju further noted that true leadership is defined not by age but by impact, urging the NANS Chairman to build a legacy rooted in character, service, and sound judgment.
He assured that the NUJ would support the student body with professional media coverage while also holding the leadership accountable.
The meeting ended with both parties agreeing to sustain open communication in the interest of public good. Olabode appreciated the guidance received and pledged to return within six months to present a scorecard of his administration.
The engagement signals a renewed effort to bridge the gap between the student community and the media, with a shared goal of promoting transparency, accountability, and improved student welfare in Ogun State.
