ASUU Strike: Alumni association urges FG to honour agreement

The Conference of Alumni Associations of Nigerian Universities (CAANU) has urged the Federal Government to honour agreement with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to prevent another industrial action.

The association disclosed this in a communique issued at the end of its fourth quarter meeting which took place at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, and presented to newsmen on Monday.

The communique which was signed by the Chairman of the association, Prof. Ahmed Mora and Secretary, Dr Godwin Akpan, urged the government to consolidate the interactions with ASUU and other university-based unions.

It said the step would prevent strike or actions that could threaten the continuous academic programme in the universities.

It would be recalled that ASUU had threatened to resume its suspended strike following the alleged failure of the Federal Government to meet its demand.

The university lecturers, after giving the government three weeks ultimatum, referred the decision to resume strike to its branches.

The branches are expected to reach a decision this week and communicate such to the leadership of ASUU.

According to the communique, the conference also urged governments at various levels to fulfill the terms of suspension of the strike action as agreed upon by the parties and show dedication towards improved funding of the section.

The association, while condemning the insecurity challenge in the country, noted that the ugly attack on universities and other education institutions in the country was “utterly regrettable.”

It urged FG in particular, as well as governments at various levels to device a new strategy to tackle the insecurity and guarantee the security of lives and property.

It applauded FG for its proactiveness in the control of the spread of COVID-19 and appealed for a step-up of activities to prevent further importation of new variants of the virus.

“We appeal to the government, the Presidential Standing Committee on COVID-19 and every relevant agency to step up their activities to prevent the importation of the new variants of the disease into the country through the nation’s borders and as well further ensure the vaccination against the disease and its control in the country,” it said.