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 Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
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Wike is a fool that supposed to cover his eyes with cloth.u r a shameless goat.why would u nt support 1st lady cus u r her dog .she compensated u with ministeral post cus of ur hard work in biting Amechi.u don't ve anything to offer than just occupying a space. Which cyber crime is she figthing ,does she know anything about computer.All of u wll pack off come 2015.we need intelligent pple nt Morons nd THIEFS
ReplyDeleteshame on you political jobbers, serious minded public servants do not make such utterances. You have sent ur children to study abroad abandonin the Nigerian students at thier own peril. Shame on U megalomaniacs.
ReplyDeleteMr Minister, you said may be some people did not understand how government work's that the non academic/ supportive staff are working,that the private universities are in session. by such utterances the minister only succeeded in exposing his incompetence, and making fool out of himself. AFTERWARDS DID THE FIRST LADY BRIBE HER WAY AS USUAL OR SHE ACTUALLY MERITS THE HONOUR?.
ReplyDelete@anonymous 8.45:a.m; for your information it was Ameachi himself who nominated wike for a ministerial post as against having Tonye cole of sahara energy and he is fully reaping what he has sown. Law of Karma you may say.kindly do your research before coming online to deceive us. Thank you. As for the first lady degree is only honorary and she is not the first nor will she be the last to earn such in Nigeria. So why all the fuss??? We all know she did not go to school so no matter how many honorary degrees she gets that fact doesnt change. Besides a literate man who does not read is equivalent to an illiterate who does not have a formal education so we should all learn to constantly improve on ourselves whether or not we have formal education. Mind you it is not a crime to be illiterate
ReplyDeleteIs it APC/ACN that cannot manage ordinary LASU?
ReplyDelete