By Suleiman Adamu, Sokoto
THE Academic Staff Union of Universities is not leaving any chance to slip away as it continues to explore avenues and options to resolve it issues with the FG with a formal visit to Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko for his intervention.
The visit to the former Sokoto governor and leader of APC in the state at his Asokoro Abuja residence , according to a release Tuesday by his Special Assistant, Media and Publicity , Bashar Abubakar was a decisive move towards addressing the detrimental impact of incessant strikes on Nigeria’s educational system.
However, the union believed and recognised Wamakko’s vast experience, credibility, and notable contributions to national development.
Accordingly, ASUU believed that the Senator’s mediation could be crucial in restoring constructive dialogue between the union and the Federal Government.
At the visit where it held a meeting with Senator Wamakko , ASUU led by Prof. Chris Piwuna , members of the union
expressed belief that the Senator’s statesmanship and political influence were essential for rebuilding trust and fostering mutual understanding between the conflicting parties.
Most importantly, ASUU made it clear to Wamakko that it request for intervention was not politically motivated.
The union stressed that the visit was aimed at achieving a sustainable and permanent solution that would prevent future disruptions to academic activities, thereby safeguarding the interests of students and the education sector at large.
However, the union was with the conviction that the Senator would humbly undertake several critical actions as part of his intervention by initiating discussions between ASUU leadership and the Federal Government in addressing pressing issues as well smoothen the course for both parties to reaffirm their commitment to the implementation of past agreements.
These trajectory , ASUU noted would Further enhance and develop a structured framework for responsive engagement to mitigate future crises and evolve strategic process for working with relevant Senate committees and the Ministry of Education to ensure accountability in agreements.
Responding , Senator Wamakko while acknowledging ASUU’s appeal and use of wisdom to pursue it course, assured the union of his committment to doing everything humanly possible within his power to restore normalcy to the situation.
Meanwhile, as amicable moves were being made to resolve the union crisis with FG, hopes seem to be high towards Wamakko’s critical intervention for the much desired solutions that would stabilise and bring changes in Nigeria’s educational landscape, representing a pivotal moment in Nigeria’s tertiary education history, leading to a permanent resolution that would stabilize public universities, restore confidence in the education sector, and alleviate the socio-economic repercussions of recurring strikes on students, their families, and the nation.
