Abuja — In the past several weeks, the nation has been grappling with the turmoil in the university system, occasioned by the continuing strike action by members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU). With academic timetables in disarray and students once more prematurely sent home, parents-and the rest of the country-looked to the government and striking union officials to find a common ground to end the stalemate. It was in the midst of that soul-searching and expectation of leadership that the Minister of Education, Dr Sam Egwu, chose instead to blot out all these worries and roll out the drums to celebrate his birthday and wedding anniversary.

As if that was not enough insensitivity on the part of a minister of the Federal Republic,[b] Dr Egwu also chose the loud and flamboyant setting of Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja, as venue. Equally disturbing to us is the calibre of government functionaries who made the event, oblivious of the ravaging poverty that has become the companion of the ordinary Nigerian. [/b]We do not begrudge the minister his moment of joy; in fact in a country with rising divorce rates, celebrating 25 years of marital life would be in order. Unfortunately, given the backdrop of what is happening in the education subsector today, his timing was terribly inappropriate and out of sync. As a former state governor, a one-time presidential aspirant, and now a serving minister, Dr Egwu should know better.

He requires no telling that as a minister of the federal republic, his actions are expected to be in the overriding public interest, and society confers on him a conduct that is decorous, sensitive, and morally correct, and in line with the mood of the people he serves. He is expected by all norms and conventions to put public interest above his private interest for as long as he retains that position. Where he feels that his private life is more important to him than the overriding public interest, he is expected to resign his appointment so that he can pursue his perks as a private citizen.

Rather than display, at least even for public consumption the semblance of concern at what was going on in the universities that are under lock and key, the minister opted to host a lavish celebration, an attitude that reminded us of Nero when Rome was in flames.

Instead of celebrating with a few members of his family, there seemed to be a particularly interest in bringing as many members of the echelon of the Nigerian government, including the President of the Senate and several other ministers and top government functionaries. In retrospect, the event ought to appear to them to be in bad taste. If it hasn't, the Nigerian leadership is in worse shape than it appears. This is a public display of insensitivity worthy of condemnation by all men and women of goodwill. It is a public celebration by government officials at a time when the national mood did not warrant it.

In civilised climes, Egwu and his fellow 'moonwalk' performers would by now have joined the list of ex-men for their sheer impudence and insensitivity. Sadly, this country lacks leaders courageous enough to demonstrate that leadership by taking responsibility for their indiscretions.


We do not to believe that President Umaru Musa Yar'adua endorsed this wanton insolence in the face of the challenges in the education sector. We are constrained to think that the president has not been adequately briefed about the crisis in this sector by his minister who is more eager to step onto the dance floor than find solutions to problems in the education sector.

Ministerial duty is public trust. A democratic government exists at the behest of public trust. It is no lie to say that Egwu's approval rating, and by inference, the Yar'adua government approval rating, has dipped as a result of this singular act, which portrays this government as one which does not care whether the country burns or rusts. We call on the minister to tender an unreserved apology to all Nigerians; especially those members of the electorate at the receiving end of the current impasse between government and ASUU strike; thereafter he to resign, or be shown the door.

http://allafrica.com/stories/200907100112.html

blacksta:

We call on the minister to tender an unreserved apology to all Nigerians; especially those members of the electorate at the receiving end of the current impasse between government and ASUU strike; thereafter he to resign, or be shown the door.
http://allafrica.com/stories/200907100112.html

This will only hapen when elections start to count,right now it doesn't matter. As a matter of fact ,as far as Egwu's concerned,he's doing us all a favour .

Really sad times for such a ^potentially great country

Very sad - saw the party footage on AIT - the funny thing other notable ministers like Dora and the Senate president were present.

[flash=450,350]http://www.youtube.com/watch/v/zPCb_Iuwg0U[/flash]

Sam egwu holding a birthday bash, Dora Akunyili daughter having live tv wedding, whose next?

You see??These people care nothing about us, They are living their lives without realizing that when a country is in turmoil,the leaders need to show remorse and act the most concerned, They dont even realize that they are the torch holders, And you wonder why obama went to ghana?

you would dance too when your maga pays.

Video no get audio?

Kobojunkie:

Video no get audio?

Please try again - but make sure your computer has valid sound card

lol

na wa ooo!!! Which one be invalid sound card again??

The made in china one