Nigeria: Sack NUC Boss, NANS Tells Yar'Adua

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Leadership (Abuja)

11 October 2008
Posted to the web 11 October 2008

Samuel Peter Aruwan

Irked by comments credited to Professor Julius Okojie, the executive secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), calling for increase in tuition fees as a means of raising educational standard in the country, the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), has appealed to President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua to sack with immediate effect, the commission's scribe over what NANS said was contrary to the realisation of the president's 7-point agenda and the aim of becoming one of the strongest economies by 2020.

In a press release signed by its coordinator, Comrade Danjuma Sarki and made available to LEADERSHIP WEEKEND, it said, "The leadership of the association read with utmost dismay the call for increase in tuition fees in tertiary institutions in the country by the executive secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC),Prof.Julius Okojie as a means of funding the cut in government subvention to schools.

"We strongly condemn this move in its entirety and will firmly resist any plan by any school or government to further increase tuition fees amidst the glaring prevailing hardship, poverty and stagnation being experienced by parents and guardians of Nigerian students."

Renewing their call for the sack of the scribe, NANS said: "This has further proved the level of insensitivity by the people in government and leadership positions in this country to the plight of the masses. On this note, we strongly call on the president, Alhaji Umaru Musa Yar'Adua to remove the executive secretary, Prof, Julius Okojie, for he has clearly shown by this and his other recent positions that he lacks the required ideas to move the commission in particular and the education sector in general forward. It is high time that people in government should stop using the few rich in this country as a yardstick to measure the standard of living of the people.

"Just because the few rich can afford the enormous fees charged by private tertiary institutions does not suggest that the majority poor can afford an increase in school fees."

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