Daily Independent (Lagos)
Austin Oboh
13 July 2009
Education Minister, Sam Egwu, celebrated his birthday with pomp last week just as the education sector reached a depressing low as strike by university teachers covered its second week.
Conference of Nigerian Political Parties (CNPP) hit hard at the education minister for what the group described as insensitivity.
Egwu's birthday party gulped a princely N120 million, according to reports.
Last week, the Federal Government accepted a salary increase but the striking teachers, who said the strike is not just about salary increase, rejected the offer.
CNPP said in a statement that it is appalling that the man entrusted with co-ordinating the education of Nigerian children celebrated his personal life when the education sector is on its way into the final stage of collapse.
CNPP Secretary General, Willy Ezugwu, said in a statement that it is even more disgusting that other top officials of the nation gathered to celebrate the education minister's birthday and wedding anniversary when government is openly denying youths of a future.
"The Senate President, ministers and other top government officials who attended the event at a choice hotel in Abuja should have rather been advising Egwu on how to resolve the crisis in the sector he presides over," CNPP said, adding "it is also sad that 'Madam Rebranding' was one of those who honoured this error in judgment of a party, when the very way the ASUU strike is being handled is a dent on Nigeria's image, a speedy resolution of the strike would have portrayed the country as committed to the right ideals, such that very little of white washing is required for a national image."
According to the statement, Egwu's handling of the whole ASUU issue refocuses attention to his days as governor in Ebonyi State and the stagnation that characterised his stay in office.
It reads: "This is a good time to re-assess the intrigues that threw Egwu up as a minister and what promises he made at the point when he was being confirmed by Senate. The attitude put up by the minister, celebrating-when there is nothing for over ninety five percent of the population to celebrate, is almost a confirmation that there may be just no future for Nigerian youths who look forward to making it in life by attending public schools.
"We strongly advise Egwu to wake up to his responsibility and stop the strike that could be providing potential recruits to militants in the creeks of the Niger Delta, separatists in the South East and undergraduate robbers in other part of the country.
"Egwu has a right to be happy about personal achievements in life, but the position he has gladly accepted as Minister of Education places him the mourner's corner as far as this strike is concerned. He should act accordingly."
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