We must respect demands of lecturers, health practitioners — Sanusi
… Says Nigeria is finished if govt fails to prioritise health, education sectors
By Konyinsola Dawodu
Former Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, has stressed the need for Nigeria to prioritise the health and education sectors.
According to Sanusi, the two sectors are the foundation of Nigeria’s economy and the demands of workers must be respected.
Sanusi spoke on Wednesday, at ‘The August Event 2022’, organised by the Moses Adekoyejo Majekodunmi Foundation (MAMF) in collaboration with St Nicholas Hospital in Lagos state.
Nigerian NewsDirect reports that while ASUU has been on strike for over six months due to the government’s alleged failure to meet its demands, the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) is also threatening to embark on strike.
The former Emir said doctors and teachers have not been treated well, hence, the brain drain experienced in the sectors.
He asked Nigerians to ask candidates of political parties in the 2023 elections to outline their plans for citizens and come up with developmental policies for the sectors.
In his words, “Education and health are the foundation of the economy, if we don’t prioritize these sectors, then we are finished.
“The rate of brain drain is high because prepared budgets in the health and education sectors have been embezzled and mismanaged.
“You can’t treat your teachers and doctors as if they are nothing. That is the reason they are leaving the country in droves. We must reverse brain drain by respecting the demands of teachers and health practitioners.
“As a people and most especially as governments, we have lost our respect for the professions that should be respected. Teachers and doctors are not looking for money but the amount of money we invest in training our children in becoming doctors and teachers can never be earned in salaries in this country but people deserve a decent life and also respect
“With the incoming elections, we need to ask these candidates what their plan is for the sectors because they have to make this issue top priority when addressing or making strategic infrastructural and development policies in the country which will help in decreasing the brain drain in the country.”
