From Comradeship to Leadership: The Struggle Continues!
It is unbelievable how time flies. I remember vividly, sometime around early December, 2020, when Comrade Asefon Sunday emerged as President of the most populous and ideological student movement in Africa – NANS.
According to the statement issued by Comrade Jubril Oche Ekwote, the Director of Contact and Mobilization, Asiwaju Patriotic Youth Alliance noted that Comrade Asefon, a former Cordinator of NANS Zone D (South West), a veteran in student struggle, a determined and strategic fighter, humane, quiet but unassuming and a very effective mobilizer, particularly, on issues he feels strongly about, sprang surprises at the NANS convention ground, Old parade ground – Abuja in the year – 2020, when he put into use, his persuasive skills and smooth tactics like a fighting knight in a decisive chess game to win the NANS presidency election.
The moment I left the university, I had agreed within myself, to give an appreciable distance to student unionism and join mainstream politics but at the same time, positioned myself as a keen observer of what is happening in the student movement -NANS.
Indeed, the coming of Asefon whom was christened “the revolutionary NANS President” brought a lot of positive reforms and revolution into the system.
Comrade Asefon Sunday was known for advocating and fighting for significant changes and policies that favours students. Asefon Sunday paints a picture of a student leader who is not just a voice for students but a catalyst for change, advocating for students welfares, favourable policy reforms and challenging the existing system during his reign.
Indeed, he made his mark, wrote his name in the sand of time and left a legacy in the student movement before taking a bow at the expiration of his tenure.
As he left office as NANS President, little did we know that the uncertain nature of fate and unpredictability of life will bring him back to superintendent over student affairs and activities again, by being appointed as the Senior Special Assistant to President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR on students engagement.
Comrade Asefon has rose from NANS President to become the adviser, link/bridge and mouth piece of Nigeria Students to the President and Commander in Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
What an austromic rise from Comradeship to Leadership. What a grace and built-up for Leadership.
Asefon never disappoint. As a man forged in the student movement with an uncompromising ideological orientation, he keeps demonstrating his unique unfolding in his new office as SSA on students engagement to Mr. President.
He is a leader that carries the burden of students and youth upon his shoulder without complaining. He keeps organizing students oriented programs and perfectly using the 3 C’s of aluta to bring forth solution to students challenges.
His organic link and harmonious working relationship with key government MDA’s; Ministry of Education, NELFUND, PTDF, NUC, TETFUND etc has brought remarkable gains and positive impact in favour of the students and comrades community.
Comrade Asefon Sunday has distinguished himself as a unique, proactive and competent leader of the youth generation and we are all proud of him. He has been evaluated, tested and trusted and one can confidently say that he is a promising leader that is already producing a bountiful harvest.
As Eleanor Roosevelt will say, “the future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams”, Asefon Sunday is a young leader with beautiful dreams and for him, we can only it is still morning on creation day as late Prof. Chinua Achebe will put it.
Happy Birthday to you Leader, our capacity and competent SSA to Mr. President on Students engagement. Wishing you God’s grace, God’s favour, upliftment in all your endeavours and an impacting life.
