Okeowo, Former Students’ Leader Dies At 73

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‎Chief Segun Okeowo, a front line activist and former students leader is dead. Okeowo died in his Country home, Sagamu on ‎Tuesday. In a short message on his Facebook page, Segun Okeowo Jnr.,  the son of the deceased announced the passing on to glory of his father early on Tuesday.

Segun Okeowo was famously  known for his role as a student leader in fighting against what the students termed “commercialisation of education ” in 1978 during the ‎administration of General Olusegun Obasanjo. The students ‘ body , National Union of Nigerian Students (NUNS) which was latter proscribed staged massive protests across the Country. The protests were led by Segun Okeowo, President of NUNS.

As a student of the University of Lagos, Okeowo led NUNS to the admiration of many Nigerians especially average people who were against hike in the fees payable by students. The protests which were tagged “Ali must go” made the Federal  government uncomfortable and this resulted in the banning of NUNS.

Ahmadu Ali, who was latter made the Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP was the Federal Commissioner of Education during the time. The students were emphatic in their demand for the removal of Ali saying he wasn’t fit to be in charge of such a sensitive ministry.

Even though Nigerian Students came together later to form what’s known today as NANS, National Association of Nigerian Students, the impact of NUNS remains indelible in the annals of the struggle of Nigerian Students.

Years after leaving the University, Okeowo was always available to offer guidance and assistance to students, most especially leaders of NANS. He moderated the unity senate meeting of NANS in 2000 which was held in University of Lagos. NANS which became fictionalized in 1993 had defied all efforts to unify the students body until Okeowo initiated a process which culminated in the Unity of the organization.

Okeowo who spent most of his life as a teacher was later appointment the Chairman of Teaching Service Commission of Ogun in 2003, a position he held till 2011.