Written by Emediong George
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has warned the Federal Government against encouraging brain drain with the lingering strike and its nonchalant attitude towards the yearnings of the union.
In a recent interview, the President of ASUU, Biodun Ogunyemi, said Ethiopia has already recruited 200 professors from Nigeria while South Africa, Ghana, and Egypt, have a large number of Nigerian professors.
Ogunyemi warned that the few presently pushing the government for an amicable resolution are patriots that have refused to abandon the nation despite government lackadaisical attitude towards lecturers and the entire academic system.
He said “If not for patriotism, our members would have abandoned universities and flee to better countries where they will be better treated. Do you know the number of African countries looking for Nigerian professors? A few months ago, Ethiopia came to recruit 200 professors from Nigeria.
“I don’t want to talk of South Africa. Go to Ghana, Egypt, you will see them there. We treat our scholars with discontent. Each time they step out, they are highly valued and highly-priced. The government is eager to sign MOU with low priced countries of yellow skin, but their universities where they should draw the partnership they are looking for, they have treated with disdain. No country in the world does that.
“Universities are incubating centres for innovation, creativity, and development. So, if anybody thinks that ASUU does not love this country, that person should be interrogated to define the concept of patriotism. ASUU members are great patriots and deserve all the respect the nation can accept them.”
Ogunyemi further stated that ASUU is fighting for the interest of Nigeria and to prevent further brain drain.
