by crossriverwatch admin
The Student Union Government, SUG President, of the University of Calabar, Comrade Bassey Eka has disclosed that he supports the ongoing strike of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU and the Nigeria Union of Teachers, NUT Cross River Chapter.
He made it known in an interview with CrossRiverWatch in his lodge at Malabo.
He said, “Both ASUU and Nigeria Union of Teachers are not on strike for their personal interest but for the future generation, for crying out loud, the money ASUU is asking for is not more than what a public servant spends for his birthday or buy cars for his girlfriends.
“It is high time that the truth should not be averted for wanton reasons, if not for some new private universities when last was a hostel built with standard facilities and a host of others in our universities which large numbers are Federal and State governments control.”
The Abi son appealed to both the Federal and State Government to listen to the cry of the future leaders to settle their teachers so they can return to class, adding that “It is time for patriotic Nigerians to stand up for the just cause even if it means blocking all Federal roads just to show how pertinent it is.”
Comrade Bassey also revealed that he inherited problems of students welfare abuse of rights from his predecessor adding that “Students were complaining that they had no close relationship with the then SUG President.
“Whereas in leadership there must be cordial relationship between the rulers and those ruled for healthy communication which is the life wire of any government, to ensure that I continued from where those I succeeded stopped. I must correct their unsettled challenges which is why in my cabinet, decisions are taken by consensus majority and I conduct a weekly meeting in both male and female hostels respectively.”
The SUG President who doubles as a Senator at the Legislative Arm of the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS Zone B, further said that “Since I came to office I’ve been doing my best to make students never regret voting me to power, during last semester examination when registration for General Studies (GSS) closed and a greater number had not register, I interceded and two more weeks were added also in the same exam period that lecturers said no GSS text books, no exams I went up and down to ensure that such law gain no ground and eventually I succeeded.
“Now we have lock up stores in Malabo which previous governments were not able to achieve, electricity has been extended from 7pm – 12am to 7pm – 2am and the street lights which were not functioning and those of lecture halls I have been able to ensure that from the main gate to the library there’s street light and in classes also which has re-awaken night reading also robberies in staff quarter have reduced because of beefed up security.
“Water was a big problem which caused a lot of problems between males and females because the bore holes were very close to male hostel but now girls also have three bore holes right in front of theirs. It is on this note I want to commend my Exco members for their hard work and the school management for their fatherly and motherly roles.”
Shongolo as he is fondly called by students appealed to non-governmental organizations and good spirited Nigerians to join the campaign to salvage Nigerian education from collapse.
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