02/09/2023
**The Life and Legacy of Moses Oisakede**
Moses Oisakede, Died on September 1st, 1999, left an indelible mark on the hearts of many during his short but impactful life. His journey was tragically cut short while en route to the University of Agriculture, Markurdi, where he intended to advocate for the reinstatement of expelled union activists. The car he was traveling in, an official vehicle of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), met with a fatal accident on the Ankpa-Markurdi Road. Alongside Moses (then NANS President), another student leader named Livingstone Akwanga also lost his life in this unfortunate accident. Their companions on that fateful day included Kennedy Tabuko, Mike Igaga, Steve Ekwerare, Oluwole Babalola, Vincent Agada, and Olamide Olatunji.
The accident occurred as their vehicle swerved to avoid a pothole, ultimately leading to the tragic loss of Moses's life, while Livingstone passed away en route to the hospital.
Moses Oisakede, a 28-year-old Bio-Chemistry student at Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, lived by a profound philosophy: "the value of a life is in its contribution to humanity." From his election at the UI convention in December 1998 until his untimely demise in September 1999, Moses served as an exemplary leader of NANS.
During his tenure as NANS President, Moses faced significant challenges. The organization was being influenced and manipulated by individuals with deep pockets and government interests. However, Moses remained resolute in leading with integrity. Unlike the current state of NANS, where it is often seen as a platform for personal gain, Moses focused on advancing students' interests and tirelessly fought for improved student welfare. He constantly traveled to different schools, engaged with school managements, and advocated for better conditions for Nigerian students.
Twenty years after Moses's passing, it is disheartening to see that the same issues that led to his tragic accident are still prevalent in the education sector and the nation at large. These issues include the arbitrary expulsion and dismissal of student union activists, deplorable road conditions, inadequate campus facilities, and subpar healthcare facilities.
Expulsion and dismissal of student activists continue to occur due to intolerance by vice-chancellors and school managements towards dissenting voices. This stifles academic freedom and prevents many from accessing education.
Furthermore, the state of Nigerian roads, two decades after Moses's accident, remains dire. Roads all over the nation are in terrible conditions, leading to loss of lives and properties. Meanwhile, significant sums of money allocated for road construction and repair seem to disappear into corruption.
Moses Oisakede's commitment to justice and leadership by sacrifice is evident in his decision to miss an important exam to represent expelled students at the presidential visitation panel. He believed that failing an exam could be remedied, but failing to stand up for those students might deny them the chance to even take an exam.
Leadership, as Moses exemplified, is about sacrifice, something often missing in Nigerian leadership. Moses's legacy lives on, and to honor his memory, the Student Union Government Secretariat was named after him, known as the Moses Osaikede Secretariat, at the Ambrose Alli University.
