Senate President David Mark on Sunday pleaded with the striking members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities to reconsider their position and return to classes.
Mark said it was necessary for the varsity teachers to return to work in order to salvage the already battered education sector from further deterioration .
Mark, according to a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Paul Mumeh, made the appeal while inaugurating a lecture theatre for the School of management sciences at the Kano State Polytechnic. The lecture theatre was donated by Senator Kabiru Gaya.
He urged the Federal Government not to use the sledge hammer on ASUU on account of the lingering strike.
Mark said, “We have reached a situation where hard-line positions would worsen the situation.
“My appeal to ASUU is to resume classes while negotiation continues. The strike has done enough damage to our universities.
“They have also made their points and I think we should reason together and end this matter. Nobody, including the university teachers themselves, can be said to be enjoying this crisis.
“It is a huge cost on government, parents, the management, staff and students of the universities. Everybody agrees that the situation is bad.
“ASUU over the years have enjoyed the sympathy of Nigerians. I am afraid if they remain adamant on this, they would lose the sympathy and support of the people.”
He maintained that the inevitability of quality and functional education was necessary for the survival of any nation.
