By Mustapha Salisu
Members of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) on Friday organized a Democracy Day Walk to commemorate Nigeria’s 27 years of uninterrupted democratic governance, describing the milestone as a moment worthy of celebration and reflection.
The event, held under the banner “NANS National Democracy Day Walk”, brought together students and youth advocates who marched with placards bearing inscriptions such as “Support Our Security Agencies,” and “Nigeria Belongs to All of Us,”
Speaking during the event, the convener of the celebration in the region, Abdullahi Muhammad Saleh, popularly known in political circles as Game Changer, said the walk was organized to celebrate the country’s democratic journey and the freedoms that accompany democratic governance.
He noted that the 27 years of uninterrupted democracy remain a historic achievement for Nigeria and called on citizens to appreciate the progress recorded since the return to civil rule.
According to him, democracy has guaranteed fundamental rights such as freedom of speech, movement and expression, while also creating opportunities that have improved the lives of ordinary Nigerians.
Saleh cited the introduction of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) as one of the recent gains of democracy, noting that the scheme has enabled children from less privileged backgrounds to pursue higher education through tuition support and monthly upkeep allowances.
He also highlighted technological advancements witnessed over the years, recalling that the expansion of mobile telecommunications during the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo laid the foundation for the digital era currently enjoyed by Nigerians.
“Today, even the gadgets we use are part of the dividends of democracy. Every democratic transition from President Obasanjo to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has brought development in one way or another,” he said.
On national security, Saleh stressed that safeguarding the country is a collective responsibility and not the exclusive duty of government and security agencies.
He said NANS, through its structures at national, zonal, state and campus levels, has continued to promote security awareness among students and communities through various engagements and security summits.
“We are ambassadors of security. We constantly encourage students to share security awareness messages with their families and communities and to promptly report suspicious activities to relevant authorities,” he stated.
While acknowledging ongoing efforts by government, Saleh appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and state governments to accord greater priority to security and education.
He emphasized that sustainable development can only thrive in a secure environment and urged Nigerians to support security agencies by providing timely and useful information.
He further maintained that although students may not provide permanent solutions to security challenges, they have a responsibility to promote vigilance and peaceful coexistence in society.
