After Ordering Ngige To Resign, Buhari Sends Message To ASUU

• The presidency has intervened in the faceoff between the federal government and ASUU which has led to a long strike action
• President Muhammadu Buhari in his appeal to the striking union called on it to suspend the nationwide industrial action
• The president said calling off the strike will be in the interest of Nigerian university students, adding that the government will resolve the issue

Aso Rock Presidential Villa - In the interest of Nigerian students, President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday, May 12, urged the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to call off their strike.

The Nation reports that President Buhari made the appeal at the 19th National Productivity Day Celebration and Conferment of National Productivity Order of Merit Award at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja.

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In a statement released by Buhari Sallau, a presidential media aide, the president was quoted to have said:

‘‘Quality educational system is good not just for the national economy; it is also good for the citizens.

‘‘Ignoring the productivity dimension of education would endanger the prosperity of future generations, with widespread repercussions for poverty and social exclusion.

‘‘It will be difficult to improve our economic performance and overall productivity, without improving our educational system.

‘‘Government notes the emergency situation in our educational system with particular reference to the dearth of qualified and dedicated teachers to enhance the quality of teaching and learning at all levels of our educational system."

Buhari went down memory lane to February 1 when he directed his Chief of Staff, Ibrahim Gambari, ministers of education, Adamu Adamu, and that of labour and employment, Chris Ngige, to address issues raised by the union.

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He also appealed to the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), to remain patient as his administration works toward resolving the crisis.

ASUU: Students to raise funds for lecturers to call off strike

Meanwhile, the National Association of Nigerian Students had revealed its plan to raise funds for ASUU in order to return lecturers back to the classroom, stating that the irresponsibility of the Nigerian government has pushed them to go that route.

NANS coordinator, South West, also known as zone D, Comrade Tegbe Stephen, in an exclusive chat with Legit.ng lamented the latest development where the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, had again declared another 12 weeks strike after the last declaration ended.

Source: Legit.ng