Democracy Day: ASUU Urges FG To Improve Economy, Education, Health Sectors

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), has urged the Federal Government to improve the economic situation in the country, as well as the education and health sectors.

Prof. Ayoola Akinwole, the Chairman, University of Ibadan chapter of ASUU, said until the nation’s economic situation is improved democracy will not prosper.

He said the only antidote to this is to have a large percentage of the middle class sufficient to support democracy.

The ASUU chieftain called on government to build public institutions instead of giving money to people adding that no amount of money freely given will ever eradicate poverty in Nigeria.

Commenting on celebration of the nation’s Democracy Day, he urged the ruling elites “to shun corruption, greed and primitive accumulation as well as desist from fanning embers and cinders of disunity and violence.

He advised governments at all levels to provide basic social infrastructure as well as provide employment opportunities in order to reduce poverty and crimes.

Also, Professor Babatunde Oyedeji of the Department of Politics and International Relations at the Lead City University, Ibadan and Stephen Lafenwa, a political scientist at the University of Ibadan, said there was a need to strengthen and consolidate on the gains of 23 years of uninterrupted democracy.

Oyedeji said that there were so many problems affecting people directly, for instance, infrastructure and the economy, electricity and unemployment, and insecurity but that “Nigerians have to thank God that we are still a nation.”

Also, Dr Stephen Lafenwa, a Political Scientist, University of Ibadan, said that Nigeria’s  democracy should be such that it would be inclusive; so that those with good ideas and are qualified should be given the chance to develop the country.

He said that strengthening the institutions and making political offices less attractive would improve the practice of democracy in Nigeria.