Senator Commends Nat Assembly Over Extension Of Retirement Age For Profs

By Gilbert Amadi

Senator George Thomspson Sekibo who just recently got his seat back at the senate courtesy of a fresh election, has lauded the National Assembly for extending the retirement age of professors from 65 to 70 years, describing it as a welcome development in the educational sector.

Making his commendation while speaking to newsmen at the Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa, Sekibo said a situation where professors are retired so early when their brains should be put to research for more knowledge and betterment of students was unacceptable.

Senator Sekibo who represents Rivers East Senatorial district said keeping the retirement age at 70 was better, stressing that at that age the professors would use their vast experience and knowledge to impact positively on the educational system.

He told newsmen that the legislature was intent on revamping the educational sector, hence the healthy debates and discussions that both the senate and house of representative have embarked upon recently.

He said if the reforms the lawmakers were planning to put in place for education is implemented, Nigeria education system will be among the best in the world.

It could be recalled that the Education Minister Professor Reqayat Rufai had told Senate Committee on Education chaired by Senator Uche Chukwumerije last year that the insistence of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) on the raising of retirement age of university professors from 65 years to 70 years had always topped negotiations between the two parties and as God might have it, the issue has been resolved, appealing to ASUU to return to work for the benefit of all.###