*President Muhammadu Buhari laments the prolonged industrial action by the Academic Staff Union of Universities, saying the future of Nigeria rests on the quality of educational institutions

Isola Moses | 绿帽献妻

As the month-long strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) lingers, President Muhammadu Buhari has bemoaned the continued action of the Union for not ending its industrial action.

Buhari Monday, July 11, 2022, declared enough is enough for keeping Nigerian University students at home for that long.

绿帽献妻 reports Malam Garba Shehu, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, in a statement quoted the President said this Monday in Daura, his homestead in Katsina State, when he received some Governors of the All Progressives Congress, legislators, and other political leaders at his residence.

It is recalled the ASUU strike has entered its fifth month, with resumption not in sight as the lecturers are yet to shift grounds on their demands.

However, President Buhari urged the lecturers to reconsider their stance on the prolonged strike.

He said that the crisis would have generational consequences on families, the educational system, and the future development of Nigeria.

The continued strike is taking a toll on the psychology of parents, students, and other stakeholders in the country, Buhari noted.

According to him, the future of Nigeria is resting on the quality of educational institutions and education.

Assuring that the Federal Government understood the academic Union鈥檚 position, Buhari suggested that negotiations should continue while students return to classes.

The statement also noted Buhari said: 鈥淲e hope that ASUU will sympathise with the people on the prolonged strike.

“Truly, enough is enough for keeping students at home. Don鈥檛 hurt the next generation for goodness sake.鈥�

He urged all well-meaning Nigerians, especially those close to ASUU leaders and members to intervene on the matter and persuade the lecturers to resume work.

The President further observed that students from Nigerian universities would experience challenges competing with counterparts in a highly connected and technology-driven workspace.

Keeping them at home only deprives them of time, skills and opportunities to be relevant on the global stage, stated he.

Buhari noted: 鈥淐olonial type education was geared towards producing workers in government. Those jobs are no longer there.

“Our young people should get education to prepare them for self-employment. Now education is for the sake of education.

鈥淭hrough technology, we are much more efficient. We should encourage our children to get education, not only to look for government jobs.鈥�

He also said: 鈥淏y 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.

鈥淚f you are greedy, you won鈥檛 look around to see what is happening with those who are less endowed.”

The President as well informed the state governors and political leaders that the reason he had not been to his home in Daura for a long time was because of his work as the President.

The President said: 鈥淭he observation that I abandoned my base was made by the Emir of Daura, Dr. Faruk Faruk, at the Eid prayer ground.

“He held the microphone and told everyone that the last time I was in Daura was during the Eid-el-Kabir of 2021.

鈥淚n 10 to 11 months, I will come here. I have a better house in Kaduna, but it is too close to Abuja.”

He, nonetheless, explained that the schedule of work in the Presidency is much.

He admonished the ruling party stalwarts to keep working for the good of the people and the country.

“We are a lucky people, and we need to reflect more on where we are coming from.

鈥淚 wish the person who is coming after me the very best,” said the President.

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