Several years ago, I met Prof. Iyayi at the University of Benin Guest house inside the Universitys Ugbowo campus. He accompanied my host to pick me for dinner. As we drove to the home of my host, we got talking about Nigeria. He thought then (and I agreed with him) that the decay in education sector if unchecked was going to lead to mediocrity hijacking political and economic leadership in Nigeria. (seems to me like that is where we are today). He believed that with sound, solid education Nigerians can not be oppressed into complacency or hopelessness in the face of bad leadership. Though I never followed up on my acquaintance with him I was devastated when on arrival in Nigeria I learnt that he was involved in an automobile accident that led to his death. The accident was primarily caused by the reckless convoy of a governor. Prof. Iyayi was on a journey to participate in a march to call on Nigerian leadership to provide quality education for Nigerians. The man died fighting a good battle and ASUU must not let his blood be spilled for nothing. As a fall out of his death, politicians are already on parade; Senator Saraki (for instance) has called on ASUU to call off its strike as a mark of honour for Professor FESTUS IYAYI. The call is very insensitive to say the least! In memory and honour of the late professor, ASUU and all organized labour should shut down all private primary, secondary and tertiary schools in the country until the letters of a legitimate agreement freely endorsed by government is implemented. A state of emergency should be declared in the education sector in Nigeria with Federal and states ministry of education suspended. The administration of education should immediately be withdrawn from politicians and handed over to seasoned education administrators. Further, step should be taken to push a legislation through that would compel all cabinet level appointees/employees (in all tiers of government), especially managers of our education sector to enrol their wards and children in public schools. Exception in this regards should only be for those who have legitimate, verifiable and fully taxed alternative sources of income. Enough is enough!!!
Posted on: Thu, 14 Nov 2013 16:09:01 +0000
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