The President of the All African Students Union, AASU, Mr. Osisiogu Osikenyi says the widening gap in the education sector in African countries can only be addressed when leaders in the continent devote attention and resources to avoid incessant industrial actions in all institutions.
Mr. Osisiogu made the suggestion at an award ceremony in honor of a philanthropist Dr. Peter Adejoh in Abuja, Nigeria.
He noted that, education in the African continent was being hampered by gross under funding from governments, fraudulent practices in projects, and lack of concern by dubious leaders.
He challenged African governments to invest heavily in education for a properous continent where other sections of the world could come for economic partnerships.
The President All African Students noted that the rate at which education was going in Africa is low and needs to increase.
According to him, “education is not a pan African thing yet, we think that education in the continent be taken seriously by voting enough funding for education in various countries.
“Governments of Africa have not started investing in so much into building capacities that will drive development via education.”
Mr. Osisiogu advised African governments to be proactive in taking steps to avert strike actions by academic and non academic staff.
Also, his counterpart, the President of West African Students Union, WASU Mr. Romans Pillah urged people and the governments in Africa to support the growth of education.
Also speaking, a leader of International Students Union Mr. Hope Daniel said students and youths are yearning for quality education in Africa.
He called on Nigerian government to have a permanent resolution of the current strike action that led to the closure of universities in the country.
Guest lectures Professor Olaruwanju Philip spoke on African education while, Dr. Zainab Suleiman spoke on the effects of girl child trafficking.
Confidence Okwuchi