The leadership of National Association of Ogun State Students (NAOSS) has debunked what it described as “unfounded” allegations against the Special Assistant to the Ogun state governor on student matters, Comrade Adeyemi Azeez, including diversion of palliatives meant for students.
Recall that the allegations are contained in a recent publication by the Ogun state chairman of National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) Joint Campus Committee (JCC), Comrade Francis Abiola.
In a statement, Thursday, signed by NAOSS National President, Comrade Thomas Kehinde, and National Public Relations Officer, Comrade Olubodun Olalekan, they said the claims against the governor’s aide were false and misleading.
The Ogun students accordingly passed vote of confidence on Azeez, urging the public to disregard false narratives being peddled by the NANS JCC chairman.
The statement read in part: “The National Leadership of the National Association of Ogun State Students has received with profound disappointment the recent publication credited to the NANS Ogun JCC Chairman, Comrade Abiola Francis.
“The said publication did not only arrive as a rude shock but has also left us questioning the depth of betrayal and insensitivity that could lead a supposed leader to publicly malign a man who has consistently treated him with nothing short of fatherly goodwill.
“For the sake of transparency, we also wish to address the false claim made by the chairman regarding the distribution of government palliatives. His assertion that the SA withholds palliatives is baseless and stems from a situation last December.
“Ordinarily, the student community receives enough bags of rice to be shared amongst NANS executives, NAOSS executives, Student Union presidents and stakeholders. However, on that occasion, only 20 bags were released.
“As responsible leaders, the NAOSS national leadership immediately verified this through credible government channels and confirmed that 20 bags were indeed the total allocation to the student constituency.
“Unfortunately, instead of acknowledging verified facts, the chairman chose to disregard the truth and weaponise the situation to malign the SA, conveniently forgetting that on numerous occasions, when either NAOSS or NANS organised programmes without government financial support, this same well-meaning SA has personally funded several activities from his own pocket.
“It is, therefore, alarming that an individual, who has benefitted immensely from the SA’s benevolence would turn around to peddle misleading narratives.”
He added: “The Special Assistant to the Governor on Student Matters remains a widely acknowledged pillar of support and hope across the student community. His track record of personally funding the education of several student leaders and ordinary students alike is well-known and indisputable.
“We state categorically that the publication circulated by Comr. Francis is not only misleading, but a complete misrepresentation of reality. It should not be accorded any measure of seriousness.
“At no point has the SA attempted to pitch student bodies or leaders against any government official. On the contrary, NAOSS National is known—on every platform and in every gathering—to regularly commend His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Ogun State, as well as the Honourable Commissioner for Education, Prof. Abayomi Arigbabu.
“There are more than sufficient video records to substantiate these repeated gestures of goodwill. These facts alone expose the chairman’s claims as nothing more than an attempt to attract unwarranted attention or perhaps an indication that he may be acting in alignment with interests whose motives are inconsistent with the progress of the student community.
“The public is urged to remain vigilant, as such actors may soon resort to attacking other government officials who do not conform to their questionable agenda.
“Furthermore, the National Leadership of NAOSS, in its collective wisdom and full authority, hereby pass a vote of confidence on the Special Assistant to Governor Dapo Abiodun on State Matters, Adeyemi Azeez.”
