ASUU strike: Don’t force youths to revolt – Bishop Onah

The Catholic Bishop of Nsukka Diocese,
Rt. Rev. Professor Godfrey Onah, at the
weekend, condemned the attitude of
politicians and public office holders who
are not concerned about the plight of
youths and the generality of the masses.
Onah, who spoke during the funeral mass
for Lolo Josephine Oyima Abba, mother of
the Enugu State Chairman of the Peoples
Democratic Party, PDP, Engr. Vita Abba at
Ede-Oballa, in Nsukka Council Area of
Enugu State, warned that such neglect
could force the youths to revolt against
the leaders.
*Undergraduates caught in endless strike
He cautioned political leaders to retrace
their steps, as it would not be possible to
quench the indignation of Nigerian youths
who may soon run out of patience with
the leaders over the poor treatment they
are getting from government.
The bishop cautioned that it would be
difficult to stop the youths if they were
further pushed into frustration.
He threw posers to both the government
and the Academic Staff Union of
Universities, ASUU, on the reasons behind
the over three-month-old industrial
action that has paralyzed academic
activities.
The bishop said from his interactions with
Nigerians, the inability of both parties to
end the lingering strike was unjustifiable
and inexcusable.
He said, “I know that I have enough
persons here and also hopefully enough
instruments to carry this message to the
ears of the highest echelons of power in
this country.
”The common people, the students and
their parents, whom I represent, do not
believe the explanations the politicians
and the academics are giving for the
strike; we don’t believe them and we are
appealing to them in God’s name to
remember we will all end this way
(pointing to the dead); let them end this
strike immediately.
”I want to ask a question; it is a question
not a statement. I am asking the
leadership of the government in this
country- is it really true that you don’t
have enough money to improve upon the
quality of education in this country or is it
that you are stocking up money in
preparation for 2015 in order to buy your
way to power or to secure your future
indefinitely through corruption?”

Vanguard