Stay out of student politics – Alabi to politicians

Former Vice Chancellor of the University for Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA), Professor Joshua Alabi, has called on politicians to stay out of student politics.

Speaking at the maiden UPSA Alumni Lecture on the theme: "Sustainable Leadership: the panacea for modern day political corruption in Africa", the former minister of state urged student leaders to make their mark, as their achievements will open opportunities for them when they branch into mainstream politics.

Prof Alabi, a flagbearer-aspirant of the main opposition National Democratic Congress, recalled how powerful the National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS) was when he was young and bemoaned how NUGS has now lost its influence in shaping political discourse in the country.

In recent times, NUGS elections have been influenced by politicians resulting in parallel leaderships tied to the apron strings of the two main political parties – NDC and NPP.

The situation has rendered NUGS powerless.

Prof Alabi told the students that: “My advice is that take the students movement as your political party, lead and make your mark and the mark you make will project you to whichever political party you go to.

“… Now it’s difficult to say NUGS has said this. Our time, when you hear of NUGS, governments shake but now when we hear of NUGS, we all go and sleep. I think let’s work on that, collectively as lecturers and parents we should work towards that and the political parties, leave the student movements alone and let them serve their constituency.”