The Governor of Ebonyi State, Chief David Umahi, has denied the report which quoted him as saying that university education is not for everybody.
Umahi made the clarification while featuring on Arise TV Morning show program on Friday.
Recall that Umahi was quoted to have said that university education is not for everybody. He spoke against the backdrop of the ongoing industrial action by the Academic Staff of Nigerian Universities, ASUU, at the nation’s universities.
Reacting to the statement on Friday, the governor said,
“I never said that university education is not for everybody. I will not say so because I believe so much in education, which is why we prioritise education. I built the most sophisticated and best medical university you can find anywhere in west Africa. It is because I believe in it.
‘‘I have renovated and built a lot of secondary and primary schools. I believe in the quality education of our people.
“I never said university education is not for everybody. As a matter of fact, university education should be for everybody.”
Umahi also added “that vocational and secondary school education should be compulsory for every Nigerian.”
Commenting on ASUU Strike, the Governor urged the University union to review its strategy to end the lingering industrial strike.
He said that ASUU’s demands were justifiable, but the union should review its strategy for the sake of their students.
‘‘ASUU’s demands are well justifiable. It is never self-serving; it is for the good of our children. And when we get our education system right in this country, many things will fall in place.
‘‘Somebody who is properly and well educated will not go to carry guns. So, my advice and pleading to ASUU are to review their strategies,” he said.
Umahi further pleaded with ASUU to take whatever the Federal Government has given to them while waiting for a lasting solution to their demands.
‘‘My position is that everybody has seen the cries of ASUU, and I commend them very highly. But at this stage, they should review their strategy for the sake of our children. So that well-meaning Nigerians and stakeholders could be allowed to participate and dialogue with them.
‘‘But at this stage, they should be able to take whatever the FG has given and call off the strike. Let us engage our leaders to mediate between the Federal Government and ASUU to find a lasting solution.