Prevent another ASUU strike, lawmaker tells FG

The chairman House of Representatives Committee on Reformatory Institutions and member representing Ezza North Ishielu Federal Constituency in the National Assembly, Hon Anayo Edwin-Nwonu, has called on Federal Government and ASUU to hold a frank dialogue to avert another strike by lecturers in Nigerian universities.

According to Nwonu, the strike if allowed to hold will disrupt the academic calendar of the universities.

The lawmaker stated this in a press release made available to newsmen on Sunday in reference to the strike notice served the Federal Government by ASUU.

He said, “This call is necessary because the epileptic implementation of the academic calendar of our university system arising from intermittent ASUU and other strikes over the years, as well as the COVID-19 lockdown, have drastically reduced the quality of our education and affected the functionality of graduates of Nigerian universities. 

“In the same vein, the psychological impact of strikes on our youths is frustrating; and this frustration, in turn, feeds the youth restiveness witnessed in all parts of our country. That fact ultimately contributes to the security challenge we have in Nigeria today.

“Having said that to the Federal Government, I wish to also advise ASUU to be fair and realistic in their demands in view of the economic realities in the country. I appeal to ASUU to be mindful of the fact that there are things the government should do which the economic situation in the country cannot permit now.

“In all, I urge both the F-G and ASUU to factor the interest of our children as well as the realities in our country in the handling of their impeding trade dispute so as to save the country another disruption in the academic system which will only frustrate our youths and compound our problems as a nation.”

FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE