Re: Kogi on auto reverse and NANS

The attention of the Kogi State government has been drawn to a publication purportedly attributed to the national leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS).  In line with our commitment to the public, we wish to set the records straight because the people may not understand the secret reasons behind the unjustified attack […]

The attention of the Kogi State government has been drawn to a publication purportedly attributed to the national leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS).
 In line with our commitment to the public, we wish to set the records straight because the people may not understand the secret reasons behind the unjustified attack on the government of Kogi State by an association still sorting out its leadership splinters.
 It is ridiculous to insinuate that Governor Yahaya Bello is not sensitive to the plight of students at the state-owned university, which has been on strike for months.
Immediately after his inauguration, authorities of the various higher institutions in the state were the first to be invited for briefing by the governor. He assured them of his determination to reposition tertiary education in the state, saying his New Direction agenda was built on the platform of education.
 The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) in the state told the whole world that they were going on strike because of unpaid salaries owed by the previous government. But out of his commitment to the education sector, Governor Bello paid six months salaries to the university staff.
 The negotiating team of the state government has continued to engage ASUU on the need to resolve the industrial dispute and reopen the university.
The students should have directed their anger at the lecturers who have not reciprocated the good gesture of government. Directing tirades at the government despite its efforts amount to misplaced intervention.
 The NANS should know why salaries are delayed; millions of Kogi State resources have been going into ghost pockets. And in a bid to block the corruption by a fiefdom, the governor took the bull by the horn by directing a scientific and holistic staff verification exercise.
 We expect the student body to commend the government for blocking the leakages, which have been depriving them their bursary and improved facilities on various campuses.
 Kingsley Fanwo is the chief press secretary to the Kogi State governor