Nigeria: Strike - Muslim Youths Urge FG, NUT to Save Education
July 21, 2008
21 July 2008
Posted to the web 21 July 2008
Abdulraheem Aodu
Kaduna
The Federal Government, teachers and other stakeholders in the education sector have been urged to resolve the lingering impasse over the Teachers Salary Scale (TSS) in order to save the education system.
The National Council of Muslim Youth Organisations (NACOMYO) gave the advice in a press statement signed by its national president, Alhaji Mohammed Lawal Maidoki made available to Daily Trust in Kaduna after its NEC meeting in Jalingo, Taraba State.
NACOMYO noted that the future of the coming generation could be jeopardized if nothing was done about the teachers’ strike which has crippled the education sector, while urging the Federal Government to show serious commitment in resolving the Niger Delta problem through a well-articulated development plan.
"The NEC meeting lamented the ongoing teachers’ strike action in the country as it portends danger to the education of Nigerian children and called on government and other stakeholders to quickly address the demands of the teachers including the TSS in the overall interest of the education system. NEC also acknowledged the new Federal Government initiative to address the plight of the people of the Niger Delta.
The Islamic youth organisation also urged government not to remove its subsidy on Hajj operations as reported, saying the only benefit enjoyed by intending pilgrims was in terms of exchange rates. It however lauded the rejection by the House of Representatives, of the bill seeking to commute death sentence for armed robbery cases to life imprisonment. NACOMYO further called on the National Assembly to accelerate the passage of the bill on indecent dressing, saying it is anti-social and a degeneration of the Nigerian value system.
"The reported plan by the federal government to remove subsidy on Hajj is uncalled for as the organisation believes that government has a duty to ensure that Muslims as citizens of the country are supported in fulfilment of their religious obligations. The proposed declaration of state of emergency in the power sector is a welcomed development as issues of power failure has brought untold hardship to the citizenry and has led to economic ruins of artisans. Government should employ genuine and realistic approach to power supply in the country", the group said.