ASUU Strike: Alumni of Nigerian Universities worry, NANs new leadership urges Buhari to take action
Some alumni associations of Nigerian Universities have expressed concern over the unabated crises between the Academic Staff Union of Universities and the Federal Government over the continued closure of universities in Nigeria.
In a letter signed by the Presidents of the concerned University Alumni Associations, the associations stated that no nation desirous of making progress and aspiring to be a member of the comity of enlightened nations would toy with education.
The signatory to the letter are:
1. Dr. John Momoh, OON, NPOM
President (Worldwide), University of Lagos
Alumni Association
2. Prof. Ahmed Tijani Mora
National Chairman, Conference of Alumni
Associations of Nigerian Universities
(CAANU) for ABU Alumni Association
3. Prof. Elsie Adewoye
President, University of Ibadan Alumni
4. Prof. Yakubu Aboki Ochefu
President University of Calabar Alumni
5. Pst. Nuhu Sani
President, University of Jos Alumni
6. Pst. Ule Williams Glad
President, University of Port Harcourt
They stated that globally education is government-driven followed by other linked chains like lecturers, parents, students, and other stakeholders. In this connection, the associations called on the Federal Government to urgently put in place a mechanism to holistically address the concerns and demands of the striking lecturers and other University staff.
The associations drew the attention of the government to the recurrent crises in the country, especially the spate of terrorism, banditry, kidnappings, money rituals, prostitution, and other social vices, and noted that these are some of the consequences of youths not being critically engaged.
A situation where millions of students are locked out of campuses portends grave danger for the county, the associations lamented. They disclosed that the all-time honoured aphorism that an idle brain is the devil’s workshop was instructive, and government should ensure that the crises in the county are not further exacerbated by allowing these youths to be willing tools for social vices.
The Association called on the Presidency to wade into the matter as a matter of utmost concern so that all contending issues are speedily and expeditiously resolved.
On the other hand, the Association is pleading with the leadership of ASUU to sheath its sword and recall its members back to the universities as they have made their point.
The opinion of the members of the public generally is in favour of the resumption of academic activities in the universities that have been closed for over six months now.
Meanwhile, the National Association of Nigerian Students, (NANs) has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to as a matter of urgency use his fatherly intervention to resolve the lingering ASUU Strike by personally brokering peace to enable students to return to school.
Addressing newsmen in Abuja, the newly elected President of NANs, Comrade Usman Barambu described as worrisome the lingering dispute between the Academic Staff Union of Universities(ASUU) and the Federal Government which had lasted for about seven months.
He noted that the incessant strikes had affected the academic calendar of Public owned universities and had negatively impacted the future of Nigerian Students, as a Program of 4years now lasts for 6years.
He appealed to the government to proffer workable solutions to address the incessant clashes between farmers and herders across the country.
The academics are seeking improved welfare, revitalization of public universities, and academic autonomy among other demands.
One bone of contention for academics is the non-payment of university revitalization funds, which amounts to about N1.1 trillion.
But the Federal Government has said it doesn’t have the money to pay to cite low oil prices during the Muhammadu Buhari administration.
