Vicar, HID Awolowo Anglican Church, Sagamu, Ogun State, Reverend Morakinyo Oyedeji, has bemoaned the continued neglect of the future of the youths and salient issues affecting the nation.
Rather, he said the present focus of the nation’s leaders is scheming for political positions in the 2023 general election. Oyedeji, in his sermon at the seventh remembrance and patronal anniversary of Chief (Dr) Hannah Idowu Dideolu Awolowo, held at HID Awolowo Anglican Church, Ewuga, Sagamu, said this is evidenced by the fact that the impasse between the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and the Federal Government has remained unresolved for over seven months.
Lamenting the grave impacts of the prolonged strike on the students, ranging from frustration to depression and tendency to take to illicit acts, Oyedeji said a declaration of a state of emergency on the nation’s education sector is long overdue.
The cleric described as disheartening the fact that the nation’s economy, security system, education and health sectors are not in good shape.
Noting that it was practically impossible for every Nigerian to afford the cost of sponsoring their children/wards in private universities, Oyedeji urged the Federal Government and ASUU to amicably resolve their dispute.
Oyedeji said: “Our undergraduates have been at home since February 14 due to the strike by ASUU. These students are frustrated, depressed and downcast.
“Many of them are losing interest in education. Many of them have been involved in accident. Many females have been impregnated. There are those involved in illicit acts due to idleness.
“An idle hand is the devil’s workshop. We call for a state of emergency on education.
“I want to appeal to the Federal Government and ASUU to resolve the issue amicably before it gets out of hand.
“The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) is already embarking on blocking international flights, so government needs to do something urgently. “Our leaders are focused on who gets to Aso Rock in 2023, neglecting salient issues and the future of our youths. This is disheartening.
“Leaders who fought for our independence in 1960 gave us good legacies. People like Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe, Alhaji Tafawa Balewa meant well for us; they made good political structures; they were futuristic. Is the labour of our heroes past not in vain looking at our economy, education and health sectors?”
With the 2023 election knocking, the cleric urged Nigerians to vote wisely to avert electing wrong leaders. (Tribune)