Politicians’ children should not study abroad—Cleric

THE Bishop of Diocese of Uyo, Anglican Communion, Rt. Rev Asukwo Antai, has called on the Federal Government to enact a law banning public office holders from sending their children/wards to study in tertiary institutions abroad as means of averting incessant strikes in the country’s tertiary institutions.

Bishop Antai, who decried the incessant strikes in the country, explained that lack of commitment of the Nigerian government towards addressing lingering issues is connected to the fact that most of them have their children studying abroad.

Antai made the call at the Bishop’s Episcopal charge during the third Session of the Seventh Synod of Uyo Diocese, noting that such law will help sustain the interest of Nigerian leaders in the education sector.

His words: “The incessant shut down of our tertiary institutions due to non-payment of emoluments, among other demands, should make our government to enact a law/policy that will prohibit public office holders from sending their children/wards to study abroad.

“That will help them work towards upgrading and stabilising the education system. There should be a change of heart by Nigeria’s leaders to educational development.”

Speaks against Biafra Republic, but…
He congratulated the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, agitators, noting that “the Biafran agitation should be seen as a call to action on the government and people of Nigeria to take another critical look at the type of federation that the country is currently practising.”
The Bishop, who disagreed with the call for an Independent Biafra Republic, however, called on every well-meaning Nigerian not to relent on the demand for restructuring aimed at devolving power to either constituent geo-political zones or states.