The All Progressives Congress (APC) has asked members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to be considerate in their current demands, saying government alone cannot adequately fund education in the country as a result of dwindling resources.
National Auditor of the party, Chief George Moghalu, who made the appeal on behalf of the party while unveiling the new school he built for his wife at the weekend in Abuja said Nigerians, especially the union should understand that government investment in education is quite higher than it has ever been.
He said the cumulative effect of past failures by government in handling the funding of the education sector is responsible for the current state of education in the country, pointing out however that people should stop playing politics with the issue of education.
He said: “What you should understand is that federal government investment in education is quite high. It has never been as high as it is now. Yes, we understand ASUU is on strike, but what is important is that government has engaged ASUU. I can say that with certainty because of the confirmation by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige, that discussion is still ongoing. I am sure the issue will be resolved.
“However, one thing we must understand is that education is capital intensive. I want use this opportunity to appeal to the understanding of the striking academic union to look at it from the point that Nigeria is a collective enterprise.
“The cumulative failures of the past government that have now come to be a burden on this government should not the basis to access this government. One thing we must know is to avoid playing politics with education because is the only way we can empower a society and prepare it for greater responsibilities.
“Government is doing the much it can by engaging ASUU but in whatever might be the outcome of the decision, we must not lose sight of the fact that the resources to government is dwindling and shrinking on daily basis and there is nothing we can do about it.
“What it means is that ASUU has to be considerate in their demands. They must understand the challenges facing this government. It should be a collective stake for all of us.
“Government alone cannot fund education and in that case, my appeal to ASUU is to be considerate and give government a chance. This government inherited the rot of the past 20 years and the burden cannot be left for it alone. Nigeria must be seen as an ongoing project”
He argued that meeting everything in the demand by the striking University lecturers will be impossible considering the dwindling economic fortune the country is currently facing.
Promising to give scholarship to brilliant indigent students, Moghalu said: “For me, education is a social service, giving back to the society. This is the driving force and again, my wife has always had a passion and a vision, since we got married 31 years ago, to establish a school where young people can be brought up in the fear of God and given proper direction for their lives.
“I saw it as a challenge on my part to support her dream. And because she sees it more as a social service, I am sure the school fees will not be exorbitant. Essentially, I have told her that I am going to support by way of providing scholarship opportunities for the indigent children that are academically sound with handicap parents”.
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