The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Prof. Abdulganiyu Ambali, and his Kwara State University counterpart, Prof. AbdulRasheed Na’Allah, have called for an end to the strike embarked upon by the Academic Staff Union of Universities.
They also urged the Federal Government and ASUU to reach quickly a compromise in the interest of country’s education and the students.
Interestingly, teachers of the two schools are not on strike.
Ambali said, “The two parties should discuss and bridge the gap between them. When two people are fighting, nobody will have absolute right. Nobody will be 100 per cent right. If you look at the two parties, there will be lapses in their actions.
“I just appeal to the parties to fill the gap, understand each other. Life is give and take. They should please come to an agreement very soon so that students will continue their studies.”
Na’Allah, who spoke on the sidelines of the establishment of the KWASU School of Business and Governance, frowned at the prolonged strike.
He noted that universities have symbiotic relationship, adding that they need collaboration to solve the country’s many problems.
He said, “In fact, we cannot over-emphasise how concerned KWASU is. KWASU is not in isolation. KWASU is a university in Nigeria and there is no way one university can succeed when others are on strike. So, KWASU is concerned.
“As a vice-chancellor, it is not for me to say that one person is at fault. We are all at fault. I think we have all failed Nigeria – the government and the people, especially those of us in the academia. We’ve not really explored enough.
“Government provides the facilities that are needed and as academics, we work, together to strengthen and ensure that we have universities that are world-class; that are relevant to the government of this nation.”
He added that the FG and ASUU must work together to return the universities to centres of excellence. According to him, when the University of Ibadan, University of Ife, Ahmadu Bello University and the others started, they were excellent institutions. “Unfortunately today the story is not the same,” he said.
Meanwhile, Oluwatobi Akinolu, a student of English Education at UNILORIN, also decried the frequent strike in the country.
He said, “FG should do something about ASUU’s demands. I heard that the government has made some offers. Maybe they are not sufficient for ASUU. But I appeal to ASUU to work with FG to resolve the issue.”
A second year Computer Science, KWASU, Saka Kamil, who accused the government of neglecting the sector, said he was unhappy that his colleagues in other universities were idling away at home.
He said, “The way the government is wasting money and owing lecturers is not good. These lecturers have families and responsibilities and they need to cater for them.”
According to a KWASU third year Mass Communication student, John Klutse, it is always sad for him to see his colleagues at home because of strikes.
He said, “Some of them who dream to come out tops may not achieve it because the strike is affecting their performance. FG and ASUU should reach a compromise. ASUU should also consider the interest of the affected students.”
