Ahmad Tijjani Abdul, Kano
Academic Staff Union Of Universities (ASUU) on Tuesday implored President Muhammadu Buhari to halt the current spate of killings and violence across the country by armed militias.
The Kano zone of the Nigerian university teachers who made the call on Tuesday evening shortly after its meeting that dwelt on the crisis in the Nigerian university system said it has become a new normal for armed gangs to invade a community and exterminate humans and animals.
AbdulQadir Muhammad, the vice chairman, ASUU, Kano zone that comprises of Ahmadu Bello University, Bayero University, Kano, Federal University, Dutse, Yusuf Maitama Sule University, Kano, Sule Lamido University, Kafin Hausa, and Kano University of Science and Technology, Wudil explained that these bandit in most cases carry out their dastardly act without rescue efforts by the security.
Mr Muhammad stressed the need by government to embrace social justice, responsive and responsible governance at all tiers of government, adding that “it should jettison hasty measures that appeared more of window dressing. “
He noted that these window dressing approach which often results in protests was a clear indication of the failure of government in discharging its constitutional duties to Nigerians.
Commenting on the current efforts by the federal government to reopen universities ASUU said that the union is not averse to the opening of universities but said measures against COVID-19 must be taken.
Abdulkadir Muhammad however cautioned, “If the government goes ahead to open the universities without fully taking into consideration necessary measures against COVID-19, government will be held responsible if anything happens to the students”.
The Zonal ASUU Chairman warned that the experience of other countries with even better facilities that have opened and later closed due to the spike in the pandemic should guide the government’s thoughts or next line of actions.
ASUU reminded that public universities which account for about 90% of the Student Population are not ready and that the government should not succumb to pressures from private universities who are out of businesses and are eager to open shops.