President Goodluck Jonathan, yesterday, said he was ready to support Nigerian students and youths in programmes that will enhance the quality of their lives.
He gave the assurance at the home of late students union leader, Akogun Segun Okeowo, at Simawa Ogun State during a condolence visit by the presidency to the family of the deceased.
Jonathan, who was represented by his senior special assistant on youths and students, Comrade Jude Imagwe, described the students and youth as the pillars on which the hope of any nation hoping to develop is rested.
Imagwe who is a past president of the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, described late Okeowo as a man whose name will forever remain in the minds of Nigerians irrespective of the generation they belonged.
He said, “Chief Segun Okeowo was a face of struggle for the Nigerian students and Nigerians in general. He stood for the truth when he could have compromised for material gains. He stood firm in spite of the myriad of challenges that characterised the struggle he led.”
The SSA, further stated that chief Okeowo led the way and charted a course that future student leaders had to follow. Okeowo, in his words, redefined students unionism and proved through his action that all hope was not lost for the Nigerian students even hostile ambience, noting, “The late Senior Comrade Okeowo proved by his actions that no situation is hopeless.
He gave hope to all of us in this generation and the generation yet unborn that we should stand up to be counted for noble ideal.”
Imagwe added that it was as a result of the recognition of fearless leadership of the late Okeowo that President Jonathan sent a delegation to commiserate with the family on this our of irreparable loss, saying Mr President was also a student during the 1978 ‘Ali Must Go’ struggle and as a result he had great admiration for the courage of Okeowo.
