The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has urged the Edo  Government to immortalise its former President, Moses Oisakede who died 18 years ago.

NANS’ President, Mr Chinonso Obasi, in a statement on Thursday in Abuja, said that Oisakede was an iconic leader who left indelible legacies.

Obasi said that Oisakede lost his life on Sept. 1, 1999, in a ghastly motor accident on his way to negotiate the reinstatement of over 100 students of the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi.

“Never have we been blessed with a selfless, honest, brave and dutiful leader like Oisakede.

“ His actions and steps, thoughts and visions are clear testimonies of his untainted preparedness to take on oppressors within and outside the academic environment.’’

Obasi  called on the Edo Government under the leadership of Mr Godwin Obaseki and the Ambrose Alli University community, the deceased’s alma mater   to immortalise the departed students’ leader who died while in active service.

He noted that the current Deputy Governor of Edo, Comrade Philip Shaibu, as a former National President of NANS occupied same  pride of place as Oisakede  in the hearts of Nigerian students.

He expressed the belief that with Shaibu as the number two man in the state, immortalising Moses Oisakede would no longer remain an annual appeal but a necessary deed.

He regretted that 18 years after Oisakede’s death, the anomalies he fought to address remained in the educational sector

“Many of our institution’s managements still victimise student activists and leaders for daring to speak against their anti-student policies.

“Students’ leaders are still intimidated for speaking against arbitrary increment in school fees, unhealthy academic environment, lack of modern laboratories, lack of teaching equipment, lack of decent and spacious hostels and lecture halls, non-supply of electricity among others,’’ he said.

He decried the continuous non-prioritisation of the education sector and called for the implementation of UNESCO’s recommended 26 per cent of annual budget to education.