Buhari Seeks End of ASUU Strike
President Muhammadu Buhari has called on leaders of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to call off its prolonged strike, stating that enough is enough.
The president asked the union to reconsider its position on the strike. He voiced concern that the break will have generational effects on families, the school system, and the nation’s future development.
The President said this in Kaduna when he hosted legislators, governors, and political leaders from the All Progressives Congress (APC). He said the strike had already had an impact on the psychology of parents, students, and other stakeholders and had raised numerous moral issues that cried out for attention.
President Buhari stated that the country’s future depends on educational institutions and instruction. He assured the students that the government is aware of their concerns and that talks should continue in the classroom.
“We hope that ASUU will sympathise with the people on the prolonged strike. Truly, enough is enough for keeping students at home. Don’t hurt the next generation, for goodness sake,” he said.
Buhari urged all well-meaning Nigerians, particularly those close to the leaders and members of the association, to intervene in urging the lecturers to reconsider their position and the ripple effect on an entire generation and the nation.
According to President Buhari, keeping Nigerian university students at home merely denies them the time, the opportunities, and the chance to compete with others in a highly linked and technologically advanced job environment.
“Colonial type education was geared towards producing workers in government. Those jobs are no longer there. Our young people should get an education to prepare them for self-employment. Now education is for the sake of education.
“Through technology, we are much more efficient. We should encourage our children to get an education, not only to look for government jobs,” he added.
President Buhari said resources should be channelled more into building infrastructure and operations of the health and educational sector, not to expand the bureaucracy to create job opportunities.
“By this time next year, I would have made the most out of the two terms, and in the remaining months, I will do my best,” the President noted.
President Buhari urged those in privileged roles to consider how they might assist the numerous Nigerians yearning for chances.
“If you are greedy, you won’t look around to see what is happening with those less endowed,’’ he said.
On security, the President said the North West had posed more challenges, and some success had been recorded in other regions, North East and South-South.
The president advised some indigenes in the South-South to stop hurting national assets, which also affect their livelihood.
“I am eager to go. I can tell you it has been tough. I am grateful to God that people appreciate the personal sacrifices we have been making,” he added.
