Former chairman of Independent National Electoral
commission (INEC), Prof. Attahiru Jega has said it is unhealthy for
universities to be struggling to generate funds to carry out their
mandates saying education is the only way Nigeria can get back from its
current situation.
Jega spoke during the higher educational summit Themed:
“Exploitation Diversity, Different and Quality Assurance in Revitalizing
The Nigeria Higher Education System” in collaboration with Trust
African in Abuja on Monday.
According to him, since the 80s, Nigeria has been
struggling to have a leader who understand and attach top priority to
the educational sector.
“In Nigeria our higher education system is characterized by
misplaced priorities, instability and of course by clear lack of focus
by people who are suppose to ensure that education contribute to the
development of our national economy” he said
Jega also pointed out the primary responsibility of funding universities is that of government.
He said, “Putting universities in such a dire situation
where they have to be doing things like producing and selling sachet
water is sad; frankly, it is not the business of universities.
“We want young unemployed youths to be involved in such
entrepreneurial activities to generate income for themselves and to
build businesses.
“For a university to become in dire and desperate need for
money as to bake bread and produce sachet water is unwholesome and needs
to be discouraged.
“Government needs to provide sufficient funding to universities.”
He asserted that for strikes to be avoided, there should be mutual respect between the Federal Government and the unions.
“It is important for government to bend over backwards and
it is important for unions to be realistic in their demands in order to
find solutions,” he said.
Also speaking at the event , Prof. Desmond who spoke on
behalf of the committee of vice chancellor noted that education is
sector which is critical to national development.
While harping on the importance of education, he urged
leaders to give education the attention it deserves and make it a focal
point.
According to him,”education is a dividing line between the frontliner and the backbenchers, the powerful and the weak.
The executive secretary of National universities commission
,Prof. Rasheed Adamu said during his speech that education Is the
gateway of economic, spiritual and social well being of the nation .
He advised government to put their priority in the
educational sector in order to ensure quality higher education in the
country.
credit: Leadership
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