Yoruba youth group, Oodua Youth Coalition, has condemned the Minister of State for Education, Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba, for purchasing the ₦100m APC Presidential Form while the education sector is grounded with Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and research institutes on strike for the past few months.
In a statement released in Akure on Wednesday, the National President of OYC, Comr. Oluyi Tayo described the action of the junior Minister as condemnable and reckless. “ASUU has been on strike since mid February and we have all watched on hoping they will recall students who have been at home since. It is now saddening that instead of us to receive news that ASUU strike is over, what we have heard is the junior education Minister purchasing a ₦100m form to contest for the Nigerian President. One wonders what is the priority of the Minister and what legacy he hopes to build on when he has failed Nigerian students overtime.” He said
“The incessant ASUU strikes has grounded the education sector and has further disrupted the hopes and dreams of Nigerian students. A course of four years is now running into 6 years for students. We have not stopped asking ourselves what Nwajiuba hopes to achieve by purchasing that form when he has failed the country woefully as a Minister but now deem it fit to run for the highest office obtainable in the land? Is he contesting to put Nigerians students permanently at home?” the statement read.
OYC wondered with what education would Nwajiuba hopes to lead the country had those who were empowered to pilot the education system been this nonchalant and lackadaisical like him. “Nwajiuba is contesting to lead Nigeria but would he have had that opportunity at all if his predecessors were nonchalant like him? Education is the bedrock of every civilization and development and ours won’t be different. Nwajiuba should refocus and concentrate his energy on firstly getting Nigerian students back on campus and the education system devoid of disruptive academic calendar before aspiring to lead Nigeria. He has nothing whatsoever to campaign with as long as students remain at home, hopeless of when they will go back to their classes. Let this be a warning to him and others who have failed the Nigerian populace in whatever capacity they find themselves but asking Nigerians to reward them with bigger offices. We will be here waiting for them!” the statement read.
Oluyi Akintade Tayo,
President,
Oodua Youth Coalition.