Speaker Gbajabiamila Apologizes, As Criticisms Continue To Trail His Harvard School Photo

By Akinwale Kasali

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila couldn’t withstand the criticism, knocks and public outrage he received from Nigerian Students and Parents after posting a picture of himself while in class at Harvard Kennedy School, USA.

He had written on his Twitter Handle on Social Media, “Back to class. In a leadership course at @Harvard @Kennedy_School. Forget the number of grey hairs one is never too old to learn, broaden or sharpen your skills”.

This,  at a time Federal and State Universities in Nigeria are under lock and key following the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, Strike over the failure of the President Muhammadu Buhari’s- led All Progressives Congress, APC, Government, which high profile member Gbajabiamila is, failed to meet the demands of the Union.

Realising he had goofed and insulted the sensibilities of Nigerians, Gbajabiamila once again took to his Twitter Handle and  tweeted his apology.

“Yesterday I posted a picture of myself at the @Harvard @Kennedy_School, undergoing a course. That post was not sensitive to the present feelings of fellow citizens, especially parents and students who are presently bearing the brunt of the ongoing closure of public universities …owing to the unresolved issues between the Academic Staff Union of Universities and the Federal Government of Nigeria.

“I apologize for the post at this time, and I hope you will understand that it was not my intention to cause disaffection. As Speaker of @HouseNGR, I have made multiple interventions within the powers of the legislature to avert the ongoing strike. I had direct engagements with ASUU … relevant government agencies. The House of Representatives is still keenly involved in seeking a resolution to the issues so our students can return to school. We all await the outcome of the 2-week ultimatum given for the conclusion of negotiations with ASUU.

“I have long been a champion of public education in Nigeria, and I have consistently advocated programs, policies and investments to improve the quality of public education in the country. In my constituency and beyond, I have attracted a new international students hostel in UNILAG, facilitated access to free internet WiFi in ALL public tertiary institutions in Lagos State; provision of modern ICT centres in 24 secondary schools across the state, provision of scholarships and grants to indigent students in selected tertiary institutions, … provision of laptops to ALL secondary school teachers in my constituency and hundreds of students, facilitated the renovation of over 15 public schools in Lagos, facilitated the ongoing construction of the Open University Campus and JAMB CBT Centre in my constituency, facilitated the ongoing construction of School Auditoriums in both LASU and School of Legal Studies, Katsina; facilitated the construction of a public library in Ondo; facilitated the ongoing construction of an emergency care centre for the University of Lagos Teaching Hospital amongst other numerous interventions. In keeping with my passion for education, I regularly take time to teach in some public secondary schools across the country.

“We will continue to work within the remit of the legislature to provide our young people with access to quality education.”

Inspite of Gbajabiamila’s apology for his previous post, Social media users haven’t stopped lashing the Lawmaker.

Some of the tweets :

A Twitter user

@chineduanaz said “Universities in Nigeria are on strike. Your government has failed to resolve the issues but you have chosen to fly off to Harvard to “broaden and sharpen your skills”. Would you be studying there if these Universities proceed on strike? Fix our land.”

Another user @Abdulbk13 wondered, saying,”Sir with all your gray hairs you are not old to learn but we with black hairs we are still at home because of strike, we spent 5 months out of our schools.”

“And ASUU is still on strike, 5 months going to 6 months. Leadership course?? When you left your assignment undone in Nigeria. Yes sir, what is the meaning of leadership?? ASUU strike is still on for months now. Misplaced priority,” @AyoAkande07 commented.

@olorunwababs “If universities in the USA were to be on strike, how will you be able to experience a working system? Walk around and see how basic things work in a normal university? Let’s hope you’ll return and use your influence to make our educational institutions work. #EndAsuuStrikeNow

@Oluwa_bukola229  said, “These politicians don’t even have the fear of God and ASUU is currently on strike. They can proudly show off in an international school and the ones we are managing here they refuse to let it go on.”