NANS Vows To Break 40Years Jinx Of Depriving South-South Hosting Rights Of NIPOGA Games- See Why

The National Association of Nigerian Students, South South Zone has rejected the decision by the powers that be to host the Nigeria polytechnic games NIPOGA in Kwara state instead of Delta State polytechnic Ogwashi-Uku which was the original venue planned for the event.

The NANS coordinator for Zone B comrade Levi Okuru at Press conference held in Port Harcourt accused members of COHEADS of changing the venue without consulting the stakeholders, particularly the students who are the main participants of the event.

He said the sudden change of venue is unacceptable to the students and demands an immediate reversal of such decisions.

He explained that Delta State polytechnic Ogwashi-Uku has invested heavily in preparation for the games only to be told that the games have been shifted to Kwara state which was the last host of the games despite heavy investments made by the polytechnic and the students who had prepared well for the games.
It is also on records that South South geographical Zone has never hosted the games for four decades since the establishment of NIPOGA and as such will not play second fiddle to any region, the South West and North Central regions have hosted the games countless times without recourse to other region and to think that this region will fold it arms and allow power mongers to take the games back to Kwara North Central again instead of the South South which is the duly elected venue for this year edition is unfortunate”

He said “we wish to state that South South Zone of NANS has always been committed to promoting the welfare and interest of Nigeria students and will not fold its arms while the rights of its members are trampled upon. The association will be forced to take drastic measures to ensure that the rights of its members are protected.

“Nigeria polytechnic games is a biennial event that brings together students from various polytechnics across the country to compete in different sports and games. This year’s edition was originally scheduled to hold at Delta State polytechnic Ogwashi-Uku, in accordance with the constitution of NIPOGA which mandates the president to be the host of the of the games and the Rector of Delta State polytechnics Ogwashi-Uku prof Builder Emmanuel Achuenu is the current president, but the sudden change of venue has sparked controversy among students who are insisting that the games must be held in Delta State as planned.
They threaten to mobilize all students and structures to stampede any other venues other than the Delta State polytechnic Ogwashi-Uku without fear or favor if this decision is not rescinded.

They call on the authorities to respect the wishes of the students or there will be no NIPOGA games if Delta State polytechnic Ogwashi-Uku is not the host institution for the 22nd edition of the games.