"Nigerian Senators Earn Four Times More Than Obama" - David west

Prof. Tam David-West, the former Minister
of Petroleum, said there were "more
thieves in the Nigerian government than
saints". David-West made the observation
while speaking at a town hall meeting
organised by the University of Ibadan
chapter of the Academic Staff Union of
Universities.
He spoke
thus: "Any government that fails to invest in
education is a vagabond government. The
problem with Nigeria is that we have more
thieves than saints in government.
"We drill over two million barrels of crude oil
per day. Why should we be poor? ASUU is
saying, 'Put money in education to improve
education quality for our children and those
yet unborn'.
"The same government that does not have
money for education budgeted N1bn each to
feed the President and Vice-President for a
year. Are they eating rock in Aso Rock?
"It is not having university degree that makes
you a good leader. Late President Umaru
Yar'Adua and Goodluck Jonathan are the first
set with university degrees — but that has not
translated to significant changes. Churchill
was not the best in his class but one of the
best world leaders."
He said there was no justification for any
lawmaker to earn more than a university
professor.
"They spend less time and may not even have
five credits, yet a Senator in Nigeria earns
more than 10 professors. A Senator in Nigeria
can pay President Obama's salary four times
over. When people get to the top they become
insane," he noted.
Other speakers at the event were the National
Treasurer of ASUU, Dr. Ademola Aremu; state
Chairman, Nigeria Labour Congress, Dr. Bashir
Olanrewaju; ASUU Chairman, UI, Dr. Segun
Ajiboye; Dr. Biodun Badmus, Mashood
Erubami, Abiodun Aremu and Femi
Aborishade