The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, has apologised for posting a picture of himself at Harvard University in the United States of America amidst the prolonged strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).

Gbajabiamila had, on Tuesday, posted a picture of himself at the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, undergoing a course.

This came during the solidarity protest by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and other unions in the country over the lingering strike by ASUU.

The House of Reps Speaker’s post, however, elicited wide criticisms from Nigerians.

Reacting via a statement he personally issued and made available to The Star on Wednesday, Gbajabiamila said the post “was not sensitive to the present feelings of fellow citizens, especially parents and students who are presently bearing the brunt of the ongoing closure of public universities owing to the unresolved issues between the Academic Staff Union of Universities and the Federal Government of Nigeria.

“I apologise for the post at this time, and I hope you will understand that it was not my intention to cause disaffection.,” he stated.

The House of Reps Speaker added that the lower chamber of the National Assembly was making moves to resolve the crisis between the Federal Government and the striking university lecturers.

He stated: “As Speaker of the House of Representatives, I have made multiple interventions within the powers of the legislature to avert the ongoing strike. I had direct engagements with the leadership of ASUU and relevant government agencies.

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“The House of Representatives is still keenly involved in seeking a resolution to the issues so our students can return to school. We all await the outcome of the 2-week ultimatum given for the conclusion of negotiations with ASUU.

“I have long been a champion of public education in Nigeria, and I have consistently advocated programs, policies and investments to improve the quality of public education in the country.

“In my constituency and beyond, I have attracted a new international students hostel in UNILAG, access to internet WiFi in all public tertiary institutions in Lagos State; provision of modern ICT centres in 24 secondary schools across the state, provision of scholarships and grants to indigent students in selected tertiary institutions, provision of laptops to all secondary school teachers in my constituency and hundreds of students, facilitated the renovation of over 15 public schools in Lagos, facilitated the ongoing construction of the Open University Campus and JAMB CBT Centre in my constituency, facilitated the ongoing construction of School Auditoriums in both Lagos State University and School of Legal Studies, Katsina; facilitated the construction of a public library in Ondo; facilitated the ongoing construction of an emergency care centre for the University of Lagos Teaching Hospital amongst other numerous interventions.

“In keeping with my passion for education, I regularly take time to teach in some public secondary schools across the country.

“I will continue to work within the remit of the legislature to provide our young people with access to quality education.”

The Star