TheCable

The announcement by Femi Gbajabiamila, speaker of the house of representatives, that he has enrolled for a leadership course at Harvard University, US, has sparked outrage.

In a tweet on Tuesday, Gbajabiamila said it is not too late to go back to school despite the “number of grey hairs” on his head.

“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,” the speaker tweeted.

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 pic.twitter.com/br1Pqjyq8q

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— Femi Gbajabiamila (@femigbaja) July 26, 2022

But many Nigerians commenting on the tweet expressed their displeasure at the announcement owing to the ongoing strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).

On February 14, ASUU embarked on strike over the federal government’s failure to honour an agreement on issues relating to funding of universities, and lecturers’ salaries and allowances.

The agreement was reached in 2009.

Here are some of the comments on Gbajabiamila’s Twitter post.

But ASUU is still on strike and they are not even asking for too much, why are you this insensitive sir?

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— komfortkay (@OlaosebikanCom1) July 26, 2022

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 works in a normal university? Let's hope you'll return and use your influence to make our educational institutions work. #EndAsuuStrikeNow

— Akíntúndé Babátúndé (@olorunwababs) July 26, 2022

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A lawmaker in Nigeria is literally posting an Educational update from another Country.
Our own Education here get Corvid..
One day,God go answer poor people prayer.
No Worry.

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— kingsley (@ishbimir) July 27, 2022

You aren’t a good leader.

— PJ (@PJadelani) July 27, 2022

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Is he an alumni of Harvard now, like Peter Obi? 🙂

— Seun Osewa 🇳🇬 (@seunosewa) July 26, 2022

Congrats. Did you tell your coursemates there that the government Universities in the country paying your school fees have all been shut down for nearly one academic session?

— Mitchell Obama Lokan (@Ambrosia_Ijebu) July 26, 2022

While our students are at home helpless, and our lecturers are under the bridge protesting.
Posterity will judge.

— Lola Bunny (@aayanate) July 26, 2022

Isn't ASUU still on strike?

— Chief Madam 👑📿 (@Riiquequeen) July 26, 2022

Oga, ASUU dey strike o. 15 million kids are out of school. Thousands of young people in Surulere are home not going to school. Wedon

— FS Yusuf (@FS_Yusuf_) July 26, 2022

It could have even been better if Hon Femi took this course in Covenant University or Afe Babalola University atleast to support your own institutions ☹️☹️

— Ademola 💯🇳🇬 (@iam_tademmy) July 26, 2022

Feels good to be attending a school that doesn't know what it means it means to be on strike yeah? Idajo olohun ko le escape gbo gbo yin.

— TAILORMUSHROOM (@TailorMushroom) July 26, 2022

I would have said you should be very ashamed of yourself as students in the country where you happen to be the number 4 citizen have been on strike; but then your government has no shame whatsoever. 🤮

— A.Kalabarigirl💜 (@oprite) July 26, 2022

Beautiful step. One is never too old to learn. Perhaps, no matter how long Nigerian students in public schools remain out of school, they'll never become too old to learn. May God reward you all abundantly for how beautifully you rule Nigeria.

— Salifu Peter Ogohi (@OgohiPeter) July 27, 2022

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in the states embarked on a solidarity protest with ASUU on Tuesday. Demonstrations will continue in the federal capital territory (FCT) on Wednesday.