Wike berates critics of First Lady’s honorary Degree Posted by: Augustine Ehikioya, The Supervising Minister of Education, Nyesom Wike has faulted critics of the First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan over the honorary doctorate degree conferred on her by a University in South Korea. The Minister said the criticism were “not only out of place, but bereft of common sense”. Those opposing the award had claimed that it was ill-timed and improper for the First Lady to receive such award when universities in the Nigeria were shut down because of strike action by Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU). Wike on Sunday maintained that there was nothing wrong with the action of the First Lady as long as it was the university that decided to extend such gesture to her. He stressed that the award was in recognition of the First Lady’s humanitarian services and in particular, her efforts in fighting cyber crimes. He said: “One will not necessarily bother himself because most of these critics do not understand how governance operate.” “The mere fact that ASUU is not on campus, does not mean all activities of government would be grounded.” “It does not also mean that other staff of the universities are not working. They are working; the only thing is that academic activities are not taking place.” Wike continued: “So, if other institutions all over the world want to honour the first lady for her contribution to mankind, I do not see anything wrong with that.” “That ASUU is on strike does not mean all universities are on strike. University of Illorin is a public university but they are not on strike.” “There are also other private universities in this country. So, to me such criticism is completely out of place; it does not make any sense,” he stated. He also appealed to the ASUU members to shift ground on their demands, just like the way government had done, in order to end the four months strike. He noted that the demands the staff are demanding from government had been there for over 20 years. Stressing that it was impossible for the government to fully fund the tertiary institutions, he advocated for financial autonomy for the universities. “We agree; ASUU is making some demands that would have improved on what we have in the universities. But, government is saying that in as much as we agree with you, these problems that had been there for over 20 years cannot be solved within two to three years. It is not possible and they should appreciate what government has done.” “Mind you, the fund that government is releasing has nothing to do with the TETFUND fund. So, if you put all together, you will find out that government is now spending at least N200billion to N300 billion every year, apart from the normal federal budget.” He stated
Posted on: Sun, 20 Oct 2013 21:56:44 +0000
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