Pioneer NANS President, Oladele Is Dead

Comrade Danlad Sunday Oladele, popularly known as Lado, first President of the National Association of Nigeria Students (NANS) and a social activist is dead.

The Lanlate-born building technology expert became the first president after the Nigerian Union of Students (NUNS), was changed to the National Association of Nigeria Students (NANS) in 1980.

He was elected in April 1980 at the University of Jos.

Comrade Oladele graduated from Yaba College of Technology, Lagos.

He died few weeks after his certificate was approved as a graduate of Building Technology in YabaTech.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, Comrade Daniel Onjeh, Chairman of the Governing Board of Projects Development Institute (PRODA), expressed his sincere grief over Comrade Lado’s premature and agonizing death.

Onjeh, a former NANS President (2002-2003), expressed his condolences to Lado’s personal and extended family, the Nigerian student movement, and the international community of human rights activists.

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He advised everyone to take comfort in the fact that the deceased lived a life of significance, and that his name would live on in our hearts and in the annals of NANS’ true heroes.

“I recall that, while his name occupied a prominent place in the annals of the Nigerian Student Movement, I didn’t make physical contact with him until after my tenure as NANS President; when I convened the first-ever Former NANS Presidents’ Forum at the Dayspring Hotel, Wuse Zone 6, Abuja, in 2004,” the statement read in part.

“Not only did Comrade Lado accept my invitation to the Forum, but he also contributed significantly to the lively debates that ensued; and he has stayed consistent ever since.

“Comrade Lado has equally remained pivotal in mentoring and supporting the future generations of NANS leaders, and lending his voice to the quest for human rights and justice as well as to broader conversations on the socio-economic and political contexts of Nigeria. His shocking departure is indeed, a monumental loss to NANS.

“Rest in peace, Senior Comrade Lado.”