The Dean of Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion and Archbishop, Niger Delta North, the Most  Reverend Ignatius Kattey, has blamed political leaders in the country for the shameful state of education sector.
Most Rev Kattey, who bared his mind yestesday at  the Special thanksgiving ceremony of the Vice Chancellor of Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Rumuolumeni, advised political leaders to do what is right, stressing that the country does not belong to them alone but to all Nigerians.
The Man of God disclosed that his daughter who studied in Ghana entered university same time with  her mate but was able to conclude her first degree and also concluded her Masters Degree only to return to the country to meet some of her mates still wrestling with their Bachelors progamme.
Describing Nigeria as a funny country, the Archbishop reminded political leaders that it was God that put them in their leadership position and that the same God was watching them on the way they were doing their job.
He also cautioned lecturers to strive to live up to expectation and advised them not to trade with marks.
According to him, it has been proved that some students, especially ladies who do not attend classes come up with top grades while some who do well come out with unfairly low grades.
The man of God called on students, lecturers and politicians to remember that the education sector was strategic in the total development of the nation.
It is worthy of note that the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) is on strike for the past three months, Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Non-Academic Staff Union of Universities (NASU), Polytechnic teachers who called off their strike few weeks ago are threatening to resume strike while the colleges of education lecturers in the country are also on warning strike, thereby making the campuses unconducive for serious academic studies.
In his speech, the visitor of the institution and Governor  of Rivers State, Rt Hon Chibuike  Amaechi declared that the  appointment of Prof Rosemund Dienye Green-Osahogulu as substantive Vice Chancellor of the state-owned Ignatius Ajuru University of Education was based on merit.
Governor Amaechi, who was represented by Evangelist Sam Eke, explained that neither gender factor politics or ethnicity was the basis on which she got the appointment, saying that it was on pure merit and transparency and track record.
The state governor, who commended the VC for her enviable track records, reminded her not to relent as the government was strongly behind her.
In her response, the celebrant, Prof Green-Osahogulu commended the governor for approving her appointment, saying it was divine.
She explained her travails during the processes leading to her appointment, disclosing that at a point, she almost gave up but the Pro Chancellor and her husband encouraged her not to give up.
“I never knew Governor Amaechi nor his wife”, she said, adding that when the battle was on, there were pressures on her to reach out to His Excellency but she refused, and described the governor as a transparent person. ‘ That’s why I respect him”.
Mrs Green-Osahogulu, who is by record the first female  VC  in Rivers State, commended the council and staff for the rapid transformation and enviable academic record, and promised to always do her best for the institution. She called for their continued support.

Chris Oluoh