Buhari Pleads With ASUU And Other Unions To End Strike
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and other allied unions that are on strike have been urged by President Muhammadu Buhari to end their action so that students can return to their classes.
The appeal was made by President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday at a special convocation ceremony held by the University of Maiduguri to confer an honorary doctorate on business tycoon Alhaji Muhammadu Indimi. President Buhari was represented by his chief of staff, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari.
” I want to use this opportunity to appeal to the ASUU to reconsider its stance to call off their 7 months old strike, as students and their parents are desirous to see that schools are reopened. The nation cannot afford long interruption of higher education of the youths and wouldn’t undermine the development of the nation’s human capital in a strictly competitive world,” the President stressed.
He continued by pointing out that the appeal was made in light of the desire of students to return to the classroom and the requests of their parents for the reopening of the closed universities.
While many administrations have talked about diversifying the economy since the beginning of democracy in 1999, only the current administration has actually done so, President Buhari said. Despite the security challenges, he added, his administration has made tremendous advancements in the area of security, as evidenced by the event held in Maiduguri.
Ballama Manu, the university’s provost and chairman of the governing council, also spoke.
Dr. (Alhaji) Muhammadu Indimi, Oriental Energy’s Chairman
The International Learning Centre, a fitted structure with cutting-edge amenities and a Conference Centre for the University of Maiduguri, was created by Resources Limited using his resources, which is why an honorary degree was granted.
” This is an exemplary, and worthy of emulation by all people of means and goodwill. I wish to personally extend my appreciation to Dr.Alhaji) Muhammadu Indimi for this gesture and belief in the University of Maiduguri. I pray to Allah (SWA) to continue to bless him, replenish his resources and continue to make more contributions for the benefit of humanity. Please, Sir, accept my congratulations”. Manu added.
In his welcome address, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Maiduguri, Prof Aliyu Shugaba also appealed to the striking ASUU and other unions to call off the strike.
” I am using this opportunity to appeal to the striking ASUU and other Unions within the university system to call off the strike. I also want to call on well-meaning Nigerians to intervene to enable students go back to school “, the VC appealed.
Alhaji Muhammadu Indimi expressed gratitude to the university for the honor and emphasized that receiving the honorary degree would motivate him to work more.
The First Lady, Hajiya Aisha Buhari, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Senator Kashim Shettima, Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Abubakar Ibn Garbai al-Amin Elkanemi, and other dignitaries attended the event in large numbers.
