Kohima: Nagaland MLA Achumbemo Kikon challenged college students to stop voting based on a politician's bank account. He wants them to pick leaders for their ideology, manifesto, and integrity instead. Kikon spoke at the valedictory session of the All Nagaland College Students’ Union Collegiate Meet 2026 at Patkai Christian College on Friday. He asked the crowd, "When the choice comes, will you choose your leaders based on their manifestos and ideologies, or on the size of their bank balances?"
The Advisor to the State Council of Educational Research and Training and Food Processing admitted people rarely admire politicians. Still, he insisted that society needs political leadership to handle lawmaking and education. He pushed young people to enter public life rather than sit on the sidelines and criticize. Kikon also slammed the current reliance on social media for news. He told students to ditch the headlines and become detail readers who hit the books.
Libraries sit empty and gather cobwebs, he noted. Kikon warned that excessive phone use hurts mental well-being and urged students to study Naga history to truly grasp their identity. He specifically mentioned Naga communities living across the international boundary who lack basic facilities. He wants educated youth to step up for these neglected groups.
As head of the legislative committee on environment and climate change, Kikon also demanded better stewardship of the land. He criticized forest burning and ignoring environmental rules. He wants students to pressure their parents to protect the natural world. Before leaving, he awarded prizes for eight disciplines under the meet's theme, Embracing Challenges. He also encouraged students to pursue sports like football, boxing, athletics, and Naga wrestling.
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