Education is a tool that enhances national development and improve economic sustainability in any nation and there is need for the Nigerian government to prioritise the sector.
The President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Mr Ayuba Wabba stated this as the union again expressed worry over the ongoing industrial action by the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU.
He urged the government to resolve the issue amicably which according to him, portends serious danger to the future of Nigerian youths.
He was speaking at a press briefing in Abuja, as part of the activities to mark the 2022 Workers Day celebration on May 1st.
Mr Wabba said; “People in our generation and the generation of the current political elites have benefited from free education in Nigeria with bursary from Primary to tertiary level. Even me that is under 55 years also benefited from free education and it’s unfortunate that even if there is job opportunities children of the poor will not even know let alone apply for it.”
According to him, equity and justice is the only way to enhance education sector in Nigeria if the country is serious with its developmental priority.
Mr Wabba said; “the children of the rich are in schools while the children of the poor are at home and there cannot be equity and justice in such system and something very urgent needs to be done to salvage the education sector from total collapse.”
He explained that with the current situation in the education, the union would work together with workers across the country, to ensure that Nigerians vote in the right candidate to represent them at any political positions come 2023 general elections.
Mr Wabba added that all the 774 local governments in Nigeria would be engaged by the NLC to ensure that the best candidate emerged in all the political positions.
Mercy Chukwudiebere
