EWAN Mobilises Solidarity Walk, Calls For Reopening Of Universities

The Education Writers Association of Nigeria (EWAN) in conjunction with other concerned stakeholders, has called on the Federal Government to reopen Universities in the country and end the culture of academic strikes in Nigerian universities.  

The Chairman of EWAN, Mojeed Alabi, led members of the Association on a solidarity walk to the Lagos State House of Assembly Complex, Alausa, Ikeja on the 25th of April 2022. 

He noted that any country where learning institutions are constantly being shut cannot attain development, adding that countries across the world have evolved from mineral-resource-based economies to knowledge-based economies.

In response to EWAN’s call, the Special Adviser to the  Lagos State Governor on Education, Tokunbo Wahab, noted that the Lagos State Government is trailing the blaze in the education sector, with an increase in budget allocation in the last two years among other initiatives. 

He, therefore, called on all stakeholders to work on effective reformations in the education sector, stressing that the ASUU strike has been a regular feature of the sector since the eighties. 

He said: “ASUU strike narrative had been on since the 80s, in fact, ASUU and others in charge of the education sector at the federal level should be up and doing, and come to a roundtable effect lasting reforms for the sake of coming generations.”

However, he promised to deliver EWAN’s message to the Governor at the Executives’ meeting and pled on behalf of the Governor for EWAN to end their walk peacefully, emphasising that their message will be directed to the appropriate authorities

Also present at the mobilisation was the Coordinator of Concerned Parents and Educator Network, Yinka Ogunde, who represented over 241,000 parents. She attributed the rise in negative social vices to the incessant closure of learning institutions in the country, adding that the education of young Nigerians matters as they will future take over the baton of leadership eventually.

According to her, Nigerian children are the future of Nigeria, therefore they are to be given the required knowledge because education is not a scam. Hence, she called for reforms in the education sector of the country. 

Sharing in the pain of EWAN, the Chairman Committee on Lands, Richard Kasumu, representing Ikaje II constituency on behalf of Lagos State House of Assembly, said he felt the pains of EWAN, as an educationist, a father and a young person who wants a better Nigeria. 

He commended the efforts of the EWAN in maintaining a peaceful mobilisation, pledging the readiness of the Lagos State House of Assembly to address the necessary authorities on the matter. 

Additionally, a lawyer and human rights advocate known as Jiti Ogunye, urged the Federal Government to reopen tertiary institutions affected by the ASUU strike, describing the walk as the right line of action. 

“This fight is for winning qualitative and productive education for Nigerian students.”

Present at the solidarity walk were the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Parent Teachers Associations, and the Concerned Parent and Education Network, amongst others.