ASUU strike: Lecturers look ‘unpatriotic’, says Ezeife

Ezeife, who chairs the governing board of the National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE), said at its inaugural meeting: “We understand the many provocations of the Nigerian system, the unfair plunder of the national treasury by the few political operators of the system, the monumental corruption, the conspicuous consumption and squander mania by people […]

Ezeife, who chairs the governing board of the National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE), said at its inaugural meeting: “We understand the many provocations of the Nigerian system, the unfair plunder of the national treasury by the few political operators of the system, the monumental corruption, the conspicuous consumption and squander mania by people who could not have seen the backs of the members of ASSU at school.
“But leaders of ASUU, members of ASUU, think, ruminate and find in kindness of your hearts, if no reason, to call of the strike. It is about four months now. Please call it off for the sake of the students – some of them are your children.
Speaking at the inaugural meeting of NCCE board on Monday, he said: “Take a look at what is happening to your own children at home-out of school. I chaired a meeting of Southern Nigerian Students Association at Enugu on Saturday 13th October 2013. The pronouncements of the student show great hostility to ASSU – and the hostility is growing.
“The rank of those implying “political motive” is growing and it is becoming more difficult for ASUU’s friends, to controvert and defend. Please call this strike off for the sake sustaining the freedom of association and the right to go on strike.
“We are beginning to look unpatriotic, un-parent-like, destructive, damaging in the extreme.”
Ezeife also vowed the board would improve primary and secondary education in the country through improvement of the quality of teachers.
He said the board and NCCE have resolved to initiate a no-strike system in, at least, the Federal Colleges of Education.