Ebonyi state governor, David Umayi has stated that tertiary education is not for everyone. Umahi who is also the Chairman of South East Governor’s forum stated it is ridiculous for Federal Government to borrow N1trn to meet the demand of ASUU.
The governor spoke against the ongoing industrial strike when he accepted a delegation in Abakaliki on Wednesday from the Nigerian Police Trust Fund by Dr Ben Akabueze.
The Governor opined the country’s main problem is security, health and education. According to him, the education structure is not well communicated.
Umahi said, “University education is not for everybody and that is the truth. The basic education every country strives to attain is secondary school and vocational schools. These are the basic schools, and when you have these qualifications, you will be able to use it either to start up something or to be able to use it to be employed.
“There is a need to review our educational system. It mustn’t be for everybody. I am not ashamed that I have a first degree and my deputy is a PhD holder; it doesn’t matter. It is what you bring on board. So, I cannot see how we cannot sit down with leaders of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, and iron out this problem about the ASUU strike.
“I have read on social media, newspapers how students got into trouble just by sitting at home or engaging in means of keeping themselves busy instead of being in school.
“There is no way the country Nigeria will go and borrow N1.1tn to meet ASUU’s demands; it’s quite unreasonable. Are their demands genuine? Yes, but we can start little by little.
“So, it is important for ASUU to show some understanding and for those negotiating on the side of the government also to show some understanding. Let’s meet ourselves halfway and open the schools to save the fate of our children.”
