By Emma Arubi
WARRI — NATIONAL Association of Itsekiri Students (NAIS) has commended Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State for appointing a seasoned engineer, Mr. Gbesimi Akperi, into the board of Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC) to represent the Itsekiri ethnic nationality.

The students also said that all was now set to commence the “NAIS Back to School Campaign,” programmes meant to assist indigent Itsekiri students in secondary schools in the rural and urban communities in Warri, Sapele and Koko.

In a statement made available to Vanguard yesterday, NAIS, congratulated Mr. G. Akperi on his appointment and charged him to defend and uphold the interest of Itsekiri in the commission by attracting massive infrastructural development to Iwere land, just as they further urged him to “steer clear of mediocrity to avoid jeopardising the aim of his appointment.”

The statement signed by the National President, Comrade Elena Tenumah, and Secretary General, Eclet Toghanranro, said the back-to-school campaign scheduled to commence from June 30, would cost the association close to N15 million as learning materials, including provision of school uniforms, are slated to be distributed to over 22 secondary schools across the state to indigent students.