Clergy Knocks ASUU over Stance on TETFund

Kemi Olaitan in Ibadan

The General Overseer, Foursquare Gospel Church, Nigeria, Rev. Samuel Aboyeji, has condemned the leadership of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), for kicking against the inclusion of private universities as beneficiaries of Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund).

Aboyeji said that TETFund is money realised from the private sector, stating that it would be unfair to exclude private universities as beneficiaries. ASUU had during a two-day interactive session between TETFund and all unions of beneficiaries institutions, kicked against plans to include private universities as beneficiaries of financial interventions by TetFund, saying such a move would lead to the proliferation of private universities without quality.

But Aboyeji, who is the Visitor, McPherson University, Seriki Sotayo, while speaking with journalists at the commissioning of the CFM Hostel built for the university, maintained that TETFund is generated from taxes on private companies and not government, oil money or federal allocation, noting that it would not be out of place for private universities to also be beneficiaries.

According to him, “for any union or association to hold such a view is nothing but a disservice to the country knowing fully well this money is generated from the private sector so for the private universities to benefit should be a welcome development for those who meant well for our dear country.

“With the private universities benefitting it would go a long way in helping them towards giving our children the best of education, more so when there is no assistance coming to them from the government.”

The vice chancellor of the institution, while speaking about the newly commissioned hostel, said the development of the university is paramount to him, noting that his decisions are geared towards positioning the university among the top five best in the country.

He said, “The vision for the project was birthed under the leadership of Elder Churchill Ayerume, supported by all the men in the church. His successor, Deacon Akin Omolere, who was in very close contact with me when I assumed office, gave his word that CFM will give the project deserving attention.With the support of God, the leadership of the Foursquare Gospel Church in Nigeria and the thousands of men in our movement, the project is today, a reality.”

He, however, thanked the leadership of the church, members of board of directors, members of the national ministerial council, members of the university’s board of trustees, governing council, and all stakeholders for their support towards the university.