•Apologises for Posting Photos at Harvard School
Speaker of the House of Representatives Femi Gbajabiamila has said he has done all within his capacity to resolve all
Issues around the ongoing strike by university teachers.
He said the face off between the Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities are unfortunate, the Speaker said the photos of himself he posted at a course he is currently attending at the Harvard Kennedy School was not meant to deride millions of Nigerians who are at home as a result of the ongoing strike. University students have been home for more than 160 days.
He had come under sections condemnations over the post. Many described it as insensitive.
Gbajabiamila, while apologizing, said “Yesterday I posted a picture of myself at the @Harvard @Kennedy_School, undergoing a course. That post was not sensitive to the present feelings of fellow citizens, especially parents and students who are presently bearing the brunt of the ongoing closure of public universities owing to the unresolved issues between the Academic Staff Union of Universities and the Federal Government of Nigeria.”
In his apology, he expressed hope that he would be forgiven. “I apologize for the post at this time, and I hope you will understand that it was not my intention to cause disaffection. As Speaker of @HouseNGR,I have made multiple interventions within the powers of the legislature to avert the ongoing strike.I had direct engagements with ASUU and relevant government agencies. The House of Representatives is still keenly involved in seeking a resolution to the issues so our students can return to school. We all await the outcome of the 2-week ultimatum given for the conclusion of negotiations with ASUU. I have long been a champion of public education in Nigeria, and I have consistently advocated programs, policies and investments to improve the quality of public education in the country. In my constituency and beyond, I have attracted a new international students hostel inUNILAG facilitated access to free internet WiFi in ALL public tertiary institutions in Lagos State; provision of modern ICT centres in 24 secondary schools across the state, provision of scholarships and grants to indigent students in selected tertiary institutions.”