THE National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has canvassed compensation for families of corps members who lost their lives during the post-election violence in some northern states.President of NANS, Imagwe Jude, who made the call for compensation, lamented over the death of the corps members, who were on national assignment. He urged the Federal Government to immortalise them.This is coming as the remains of the nine corps members, who were killed in Bauchi State in the post-election violence, were evacuated from the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH) mortuary and taken to their various states of origin for burial on Saturday.The slain corps members were evacuated by officials of the National Headquarters of the National Youths Service Corps (NYSC), Abuja led by Mr. Yakubu Jok. The officials arrived the mortuary as early as 6a.m. and waited for the bodies of the fallen heroes to be dressed in their full regalia before the nine ambulances to convey them took off.It was an emotion-laden scene that elicited tears from the eyes of those watched the bodies of the corps members being carefully hauled into the ambulances.The nine corps members who were killed in different part of the state were Adewumi Seun (Ekiti), Teidi Olawale Tosin (Kogi), Adowei Elliot (Bayelsa), Okpokiri Obinna (Abia), Gbenjo Ebenezer Ayotunde (Osun), Ukeoma Ikechuwku Chibuzor (Imo), Nwazema Anslem Chukwuonyerem (Imo), Adeniji Kehinde Jehleel (Osun) and Akonyi Ibrahim Sule (Kogi).Seven of the corps members were killed in Giade police station where they had ran for safety but the rioters overpowered the policemen on duty and murdered the corps members with machetes and sticks before setting the station ablaze.Three of the victimsElliot, Chibuzor and Sulewere Batch A members who just left the orientation camp at the end of March and were not allowed to travel for the purpose of the general elections.However, Imagwe said: It is sad that we lost some of our future leaders during the last general elections. NANS called on the Federal Government to live up to its responsibility by compensating the families of the slain corps members whose dreams have been cut short,According to him, nobody has a right to take another persons life. We should learn to appreciate each other no matter what. It is not a good thing to carry firearms about wanting to kill people or maim them because life is too precious. Once we realise that, then there will not be any form of violence.He urged the government to provide adequate security measures and ensure that Nigerians are safe all the time, irrespective of which part of the country they live.The NANS President commended INEC Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega, for conducting a free and fair election in the country.He has indeed proven to Nigerians that things can be done right with a good leader.He also commended the media for sensitising Nigerians during and after the election period, keeping them abreast of the modus operandi.
Click here to read full news..
