ASUU Chairman has slammed outgoing President Buhari over $800million loan request from the senate.
NewsOnline reports that the National President of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke has described the $800million loan request of President Mohammadu Buhari from the Senate as misplaced priority.
Osodeke said the request was a clear demonstration of the less importance of the outgoing Buhari-led administration attached to education.
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He spoke on Thursday at maiden Alumni Home-Coming, Award Presentation Ceremony and launch of a N100 Million Ultra Modern Virtual Classroom by Faculty of Education, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State.
NewsOnline Nigeria had reported that outgoing President Buhari on Wednesday wrote to the Senate, asking it to approve a new loan request of $800million to be utilized to scale up the National Social Safety Net Programme to be sourced from the World Bank.
But the ASUU chair said the amount of money that led to the union’s 8-months old strike was a far cry to the loan being requested by the President.
He said: “We’re in a country the system doesn’t bother about the education of its citizens. Just yesterday, a president who have 18 days to leave office, sent a paper to senate to allow him borrow $800million which is equivalent to #600billions.
“Meanwhile, the reason we were on strike for 8 months is because we’re asking for less than N200billion. Yet, you can take #600billion to give #5000 to families. What can #5000 do to families? Why not invest that to educational institutions to ensure quality and standard education?”
While commending the cordial relationship between the faculty and the alumni of the institution, Osodeke attributed it to the way members were treated during their academic sojourn, urging them to keep it up.
The University’s Vice Chancellor, Prof. Charles Esimone described as paramount contributions of alumni members of any institution, pledging continued support to the body.
“My administration sought the intervention of well-meaning individuals and organizations towards the attainment of the goal and encouraged faculties, department, and university staff to do the same.
“I’m gratified to note that recent events in the institution, including this event, have demonstrated a heightened awareness of the alumni association of the university of the role expected of them towards the attainment of my vision,” he said. Earlier, Chairman of the occasion, High Chief Emeka Nwabueze urged the Vice Chancellor to reach out to business community to assist him develop the university.
Nwabueze, former Special Adviser to President Bush on Technology, also stressed the need for more research, which he said was capable of creating jobs for teeming youths.
On her part, Faculty Dean, Prof. Vivian Nwogbo appreciated the dignitaries that graced the occasion, reiterating faculty’s commitment to sustaining academic excellence the university is known for.
