ABUJA – Dr Nmamdi Olebara, the Special Adviser, Media, to Malam Ibrahim Shekarau, Minister of Education, has dismissed allegation by the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) that the minister was interfering in its affairs.
The special adviser described the call for the removal of the minster by NANS as politically-motivated and challenged the Association to present evidence to substantiate their claims.
Olebara told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Abuja that the minister was concentrating on transforming the nation’s education sector and could not be dragged into students’ unionism or politics.
NAN recalled that the President of NANS, Mr Tijani Shehu, had at a news conference on Dec. 2, urged President Goodluck Jonathan to remove the minister for alleged interference in NAN’s politics.
Shehu alleged that the minister had given financial support to Comrade Ali Wali, an aspirant for NANS’ presidency, who was from his home state Kano, thereby being partisan.
The minister’s aide said “the allegation by certain individuals hiding under the cover of NANS is not only mischievous but a cheap campaign of calumny by agents of mischief who feel diminished by the rapid progress in the education sector during Shekarau’s brief but impactful stay in office.
“The allegation is unfounded, ill-conceived and politically-motivated; overwhelming number of Nigerians know the current minister of education as a principled man of character, all his life,’’ Olebara said.
He said President Goodluck Jonathan did not appoint Shekarau as minister just because he was a politician but based on his proven records as teachers’ teacher and a sound mathematician.
“Shekarau is an exemplary school principal, director of education, permanent secretary and an exemplary governor who transformed education in Kano.
“He was inexplicably students-friendly to an extent that female students in Kano had automatic scholarship up to doctorate level during his time.
“Coming to the Ministry of Education few months ago, Shekarau in the most dramatic manner, achieved the suspension of the 10 months strike embarked by ASUP and COEASU within 24 hours of assumption of office.
“He quickly embarked in consultations with stakeholders in the sector with a view to taking education to a high level.’’
Olebara said Shekarau’s commitment to service delivery necessitated the weekly visitations to higher institutions for on-the-spot assessment of projects and situation to ascertain deficits and appropriate safety nets. (NAN)
NANS’ call for Shekarau’s removal ill-conceived, politically motivated, says SA
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