ASUU Strike: Mixed reactions as Tinubu meets NANS leadership

The president of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Comrade Sunday Asefon on Thursday disclosed that the lingering strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has reached a stage where the end is more important than the means. 

He added that NANS under his leadership will do anything possible to make sure that students return to school as soon as possible.

The meeting also had in attendance Tinubu’s running mate, Kashim Shettima.

Taking to Facebook hours after meeting with Tinubu, Asefon wrote: 

“In our continuous efforts in advocating for the end of the prolonged ASUU Strike, I led the National Executives of NANS and stakeholders to meet with the Presidential Aspirant of the APC to annex his contacts and capacity to prevail on ASUU and the FG to put an end to the protracted industrial action. It is our believe that no stone must be left unturned in ensuring that ASUU return back to the classroom.”

“We had  fruitful engagements and Asiwaju who passionately expressed his concerns and his efforts in the past during similar strike action commended the students leaders for their initiatives to engage in high level advocacy and seek political solution. He shared in our position that every reasonable Nigerian must be seriously concerned as the continuous strike poses a great danger to security and collective well being of our nation.”

“Asiwaju therefore promised to immediately step up his interventions, even now that the President has opened the window for individual contributions to dialogues in pursuit of the end of the industrial action. “

“Nigerian students expressed our deepest appreciation to Asiwaju for cutting short his very tight schedule and campaign activities to address our leadership and made strong commitment to the end of the strike. He also promised to continue to engage with us and youth organisations across the country to tap into our strength, ideas and creativities in the days ahead while ensuring that youth and students forms integral part of his programs.”

“NANS under my leadership will leave no stone unturned to ensure we see the end of incessant ASUU Strike in Nigeria. “

“We have reached a stage in this struggle where the end is more important to us than the means and as leaders we will not do less than our very best to ensure the end of the strike.”

However, the meeting with Asiwaju has been generating mixed reactions from Nigerian students who took to the NANS president’s Facebook comments section to air their views. 

READ ALSO: NANS Begs Atiku, Tinubu, Others To Raise Money For ASUU Demands

A Facebook user Comrade Isa Ibrahim , said “This is Unfortunate you guys always put your interest first better than the interest of the million Nigeria student’s sitting at home , it he is real and truly when to help the students he should meet with the ASUU leadership not you guys”

Another user, Kufre Upkongi posted, ” Asefon Sunday Dayo But if I may ask you sir; is Asiwaju BAT the chairman senate committee on education? Is he the chairman FHOA Committee on education? Is he the minister of education? Is he the current ASUU chairman? Pls ensure you also mobilize and meet with Atiku Abubakar Peter Obi and every other party Presidential Candidates as well. Nigerian Students at home and in diaspora are closely watching you sir. ✊✊✊.”

“Good move comrades. Just like the way he intervened and resolved the LAUTECH crisis while he was the chancellor of the school, I’m sure he will do something about ASUU strike also. Hungry, shameles and ignorant comrades.

You’ll not die if you tell the people the real reason you met with him, which was to endorse Gov. Oyetola for second term.Hungry lots..” Ibrahim Bashir Ayobami opined.

In his words, Ogbul Emmanuel, said ” Your excellency with all due respect, if you can also respect yourself, You do not stand for the students, That’s quite unfortunate.You have only been advocating for your stomach infrastructure. Its a pity”

Chigbo Prosper wrote : “Respectfully Mr. president sir, you have gone to get your own share of the bullivan money.

He(BAT) have nothing to offer the students community so far the strike is concerned. His past records have proved that fact.

You have not done so good so far the struggle to end this strike is concerned. I would advise you restrategise on that effect.

My humble obeisances”

It will be recalled that the NANS president a few weeks ago assured Nigerian students to expect good news soon, but yet till this moment there seems to be no hope in sight as the strike which was embarked on by the Academic Staff Union of Universities(ASUU) on the 14th of February clocked 5 months today

READ ALSO: ASUU Strike: NANS to shut down all international airports

CREDIT: ALLSCHOOL, Tribune