Human Rights Lawyer Femi Falana has asked Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to ask questions over the N1.3trillion intervention fund promised by the past government in which only N200billion was released since 2013.
Falana who spoke while serving as moderator at the interactive forum organized by the University of Ibadan campus unions for 13 Vice-chancellorship aspirants held at the Trenchard Hall of the University of Ibadan said that “government promised an intervention fund of N1.3trillion for the revitalization of the Universities but only released N200billion in 2013 just to call off the strike and since then, nothing has been released, so the university of Ibadan must ask government relevant questions”
He alleged that in the past seven years, the sum of N7trillion has been used by federal government as bail-out for the parasitic ruling class.
While lashing out at the critics of President Muhammed Buhari over the bail-out given to states, Falana said that “rather we should be challenging the bail-out that has been given to the comprador-burgiosie in the last five years which is over N7trillion.
“AMCON was set up to take care of the debt of the rich who took billions from our banks and could not pay back. In one fell swoop, N5.6trillion debt was taken over by that institution.
“In the last five years, N780billion was given to Bank of Industry to revitalize our ailing industry. Where are the industries? N200billion for Aviation Intervention Fund. N200billion Agriculture Intervention Fund, N100 billion Textile Intervention fund, N213billion to those who bought NEPA, and are currently giving us darkness.
“Over N7trillion has been given to our parasitic ruling class in the last seven years and that is why the university must join issues with the ruling to tell them that the country is not being governed well.”
Falana said those opposing President Buhari’s moves are going against the dictates of the Bible where it is said the labourer deserves his wage adding that those opposing a good life for poor masses must have their heads examined.
While urging the University of Ibadan to allow students unionism to allow for leadership training , Falana said denying students to practice leadership at students’ union level may not augur well for Nigeria as such may go to National Assembly to start fighting as the present National Assembly members are doing.
“If you do not allow our children to practice democracy in tertiary institution, they will end up going to the national assembly to fight themselves as the current national assembly members are doing.”
He also challenged the University of Ibadan to continue to engage government on issues and educate the public on key public issues in order to make the Institution maintain its relevance.
The programme which was organized by the staff unions on the campus (ASUU, NASU, SSANU and NAAT) under the chairmanship of Professor Nelson Fashina said that the forum was to allow a dialogue with the university community and be able to hold any of the candidates accountable for the promises they made while campaigning.
Those who presented their agenda among the aspirants include Professors O.O. Layiwola (Institute of African Studies), O.O. Akinyinka (Pediatrics), F.O. Egbokhare (Linguistics and African Languages), B.O. Fagbemi (Veterinary Microbiology and Parasitology). Others are Professors L. Popoola (Forest Resources Management), A.I. Olayinka (Geology), A.I. Oluleye (Industrial and Production Engineering), O.D. Olaleye (Virology), A.E. Falaye (Aquaculture and Fisheri
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