The President of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari, has again, reacted to the ongoing ASUU strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU. Buhari questioned them for being inflexible and not calling off the lingering strike, saying enough is enough with keeping students at home.
The President stated this when he received some governors of the All Progressives Congress (APC), legislators and political leaders at his residence in Daura, Katsina State.
He called on ASUU to reconsider its position on the extended strike, expressing worry that it will have consequences on families, the educational system and future development of the country.
The President said the strike had already affected the psychology of parents, students and other stakeholders. He said further that the future of the country rests on the quality of educational institutions and education, while assuring that the government understands their position, and negotiations should continue, with students in lecture halls.
According to a statement issued by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, Buhari was quoted saying, “We hope that ASUU will sympathise with the people on the prolonged strike.
“Truly, enough is enough for keeping students at home. Don’t hurt the next generation for goodness sake.”
“Our young people should get education to prepare them for self-employment. Now education is for the sake of education.
“Through technology we are much more efficient. We should encourage our children to get education, not only to look for government jobs.”
“By this time next year, I would have made the most out of the two terms, and the remaining months I will do my best,” the President noted.
“If you are greedy, you won’t look around to see what is happening with those who are less endowed,’’ he said.
The President told the governors and political leaders that he had not been to his house in Daura for close to a year due to the demands of office.
“The observation that I abandoned my base was made by the Emir of Daura, Dr Faruk Umar 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,” he added.
President Buhari said he would retire to Daura, not Kaduna, where he had a better house.
“In 10 to 11 months time, I will come here. I have a better house in Kaduna, but it is too close to Abuja,’’ he said.
