Following several failed attempt at resolving the on-going strike, the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) decided to go spiritual on Tuesday by declaring a three day fasting and prayer as they seek divine intervention to resolve the dispute between the union and the Nigerian government.
Here's how The Nation reports the new development:
The decision to embark on spiritual intervention came during the union congress held at the Faculty of Arts, University of Ibadan.
The congress which was presided over by the Chairman of University of Ibadan (UI) chapter of ASUU, Dr. Olusegun Ajiboye, stressed the need for God to help Nigerian leaders to do the needful and document the resolutions of their meeting with the President.
The congress which expressed optimism that the strike will end soon listed three prayer points to include: “the need for God to touch the heart of the Federal government to be committed towards funding public education and develop the nation.
They also asked God to protect the leadership of ASUU as they travel and that the purpose of the strike is actualized by placing universities in the league of world class institutions.”
Speaking after the congress, Dr. Ajiboye said the union does not need newspaper confirmation from the president that N200billion has been deposited with the Central Bank of Nigeria.
He said it was impossible for anybody who has not opened an account with a bank to request the bank for a balance.
While urging the federal government to be serious about the future of the country, the don accused the government of “still keeping the students at home.”
He said the union has the machinery to suspend the strike within 24 hours once the grey areas in the resolutions have been sorted out by the federal government.
This is an unfortunate situation. The strike, which began on July 1, is yet to be resolved and students are delayed unnecessarily. Unfortunately, the Nigerian job market is very age-conscious; if you are not within a certain age bracket, chances of getting an entry-level job after graduation is slim.
Let's hope both parties resolve their differences sooner than later.
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