By – Chioma Onuegbu Uyo – THE Anglican Bishop of the Diocese of Uyo Anglican Communion, Rt. Rev Asukwo Antai, has called on the Nigerian government to enact a law banning public office holders from sending their children/ wards to study in tertiary institutions abroad as means of averting incessant strikes in Nigeria tertiary institutions. Biafra anniversary parade celebration along Opi-Nsukka Road, Enugu State, yesterday. Photo:: Kelechukwu Iruoma. He also congratulated the Indigenous People of Biafra agitators for making bold to wake up the national conscience. Bishop Antai who decried the incessant strike actions in the country explained that lack of commitment of the Nigerian government towards addressing the lingering issues was connected with the fact that most of them have their children studying abroad. Antai who made the call in the Bishop’s Episcopal charge at the third Session of the Seventh Synod of Uyo Diocese with the theme, “The Image of God”, stressed that such law would help to sustain the interest of Nigerian leaders in the education sector His words, “The incessant shut down of our tertiary institutions due to non-payment of emoluments among other demands is a call on the government to enact a law/policy that will prohibit public office holders from sending their children/wards to study abroad. “That will help them to work towards upgrading and stabilizing the education system. There should be a change of hearts by Nigeria’s leaders to the issue of educational development in the country”. He congratulated the Indigenous People of Biafra agitators for making bold to wake up the national conscience to the unfortunate federal style of government the military juntas foisted upon Nigeria. According to him, “the Biafran agitation should be seen as a call to action on the government and people of Nigeria to take another critical look at the type of federation that the country is currently practicing”. The Bishop who disagreed with the call for the Independent Biafra Republic, however, called on every well meaning citizen of Nigeria not to relent on the demand for the restructuring of the country aimed at devolving power to either constituent geo-political zones or states. He condemned the quit notice issued to the Igbo living in the North, describing any attack on the Igbo as an attack on all southern Nigerians even as he said those behind the threat ought to be arrested and prosecuted. He thanked God for the life of the president and called on all Nigerians to continue to pray for his total recovery. The cleric condemned the calls for the disclosure of the Presidents ailment, describing such calls as “unethical and uncalled for, stressing that” no level of politics and public office holding should deny anybody the right to personal privacy”. He commended Akwa Ibom State government for the significant improvement in power supply especially within Uyo metropolis even as he urged the governor to ensure that effort was extended to other parts of the state. He equally commended the governor in the successful elimination of flooding along the traffic light end of Nsikak Eduok Avenue, adding, “I think the provision of infrastructure in some parts of the state is a welcome development and task the governor to look out for other parts of the state that have not yet benefited from such laudable efforts”

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