A group, Conference of Alumni Associations of Nigerian Universities (CAANU), Monday appealed to the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and the Federal Government to sheath their swords and bring the lingering strike embarked upon by the lecturers to an end.
The strike called by ASUU on February 14 is 204 days today. Recall that the union after congress with 123 branches extended the 6 months old indefinitely.
A release titled: “Press Statement by Concerned Alumni of Nigerian Universities on the Lingering ASUU Strike”, was jointly signed by Prof. Ahmed Tijani Mora, National Chairman, Conference of Alumni Associations of Nigerian Universities (CAANU) for Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Alumni Association and others from 5 federal universities.
Other signatories are Dr. John Momoh (UNILAG), Prof. Elsie Adewoye (UI), Prof. Yakubu Aboki Ochefu (UNICAL), Pastor Nuhu Sani (UNIJOS) and Pastor Ule Williams Glad (UNIPORT).
The Concerned Alumni of Nigerian Universities members expressed concern over the unabated crises between the ASUU and FG, saying that no nation wanting to get to the promised land, and indeed aspiring to be a member of the comity of enlightened nations would toy with education.
The statement read in part, “The under-listed Alumni Associations of Nigerian Universities have expressed concern over the unabated crises between the Academic Staff Union of Universities and the Federal Government and the continued closure of universities in Nigeria.”
They stated that globally, education is government-driven followed by other linked chains like lecturers, parents, students and other stakeholders.
To this end, 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 a grave danger for the county,” the association 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 pleads with the leadership of ASUU to sheath its sword and recall its members back to the universities as they have made their point.
CAANU added, “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 (6) months now.”
