As the feud between the Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) continues, the Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has appealed to both parties to resolve the crisis in the interest of students and the nation as a whole.
Speaking at the inauguration of the Governing Councils of the State-owned tertiary institutions and Library Board, at the June 12 Cultural centre, Kuto, Abeokuta, the Governor decried the prolonged crisis which had done more harm to the education sector of the country.
According to Abiodun, “let me add my voice for a quick resolution to the lingering crisis between the Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU). We can all see the effects of the unresolved crisis not only in our education system. It has affected all sectors of our economy. These students are out of school and we all know that an idle mind is an available workshop for the devil.
“This is no more a matter of who is right or who is wrong, it is a matter of what is good for the youths of our nation. I therefore, appeal to both sides to find a meeting point and resolve this crisis for the good of our youths and our nation in general”.
On steps taken to reposition the educational sector, the Governor said 24,000 pieces of furniture had been distributed to all public primary and secondary schools, with an increase of 120 percent in their running cost.
He stated that his administration had approved the Ogun State Education Intervention Fund (OGSEIF) to the tune of N200m, while 5000 interns from the Ogun Teach Intervention Programme had been employed to fill teacher vacancies in primary, secondary and technical colleges in the State, composition of the Board of the State Library, among others.
He urged the new Council members to look into how to surpass what the administration inherited by placing the schools in vantage position to compete with similar institutions around the world.
Responding on behalf of his colleagues, the Chairman, Governing Council, Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), Prof. Toyin Ashiru commended Governor Abiodun for allowing them to serve the State, promising that the Boards would reinvigorate its internally generated revenue to reduce the financial burden on the government.
Earlier in his opening remark, the Commissioner for Education Science, and Technology, Prof. Abayomi Arigbabu, said the inauguration of the Governing Council would ensure proper management of the institutions and act as an impetus to achieving the vision of the government in the education sector.
