
Associations of Alumni Plead With FG to End ASUU Strike


The umbrella group of Alumni Associations of Nigerian Universities have called on the Federal Government to take genuine steps to end the lingering strike of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, especially because of the negative implications on the Nigerian youths.

The Alumni lamented over the dislocations and ensuing vices in lives of the Nigerian youths as a result of the continued closure of universities since February 14, 2022, insisting that the Federal Government should immediately intervene to end the ASUU strike.
In a letter signed by the Presidents of the University Alumni Associations, including Dr. John Momoh, President (Worldwide), University of Lagos
Alumni Association; Prof. Ahmed Tijani Mora, National Chairman, Conference of Alumni Associations of Nigerian Universities (CAANU) for ABU Alumni Association, Prof. Elsie Adewoye, President, University of Ibadan Alumni, Prof. Yakubu Aboki Ochefu, President, University of Calabar Alumni, Pst. Nuhu Sani, President, University of Jos Alumni, Pst. Ule Williams Glad, President, University of Port Harcourt, the concerned associations said no nation aspiring to be a member of the comity of enlightened
nations would toy with education.
They said globally, education is government-driven, followed by other
linked chains like lecturers, parents, students and other stakeholders.
“In this connection, the associations called on the Federal Government to urgently put in place a mechanism to holistically address the concerns and demands of the striking lecturers and other University staff,” the alumni associations stated.
The associations also drew the attention of government to the recurrent crises in the country, especially the spate of
terrorism, banditry, kidnappings, money rituals, prostitution, and other social vices, noting that these are some
of the consequences of youths not being critically engaged.
“A situation where millions of students are locked out of campuses portends a grave danger for the county,” the
associations lamented.
They disclosed that the all-time honoured aphorism that an idle brain is the devil’s workshop was instructive, stressing that government should ensure that the crises in the county are not further exacerbated by allowing
these youths to be willing tools for social vices.
In particular, the associations called on the Presidency to wade into the matter “as a matter of utmost concern so that all
contending issues are speedily and expeditiously resolved.”
The associations also pleaded with the leadership of ASUU to sheath its sword and recall its members back to the universities as they have made their point.
The restated that the strike for resumption of academic activities in the
universities that have been closed for over six (6) months.
Full text of statement:
PRESS STATEMENT BY CONCERNED ALUMNI OF NIGERIAN UNIVERSITIES ON THE LINGERING ASUU STRIKE
The under-listed Alumni Associations of Nigerian Universities have expressed concern over the unabated crises
between the Academic Staff Union of Universities and the Federal Government and the continued closure of
universities in Nigeria.
In a letter signed by the Presidents of the University Alumni Associations, the concerned associations stated that no
nation wanting to get to the Promised Land, and indeed aspiring to be a member of the comity of enlightened
nations would toy with education. They stated that globally, education is government-driven followed by other
linked chains like lecturers, parents, students and other stakeholders. In this connection, the associations called on
the Federal Government to urgently put in place a mechanism to holistically address the concerns and demands of
the striking lecturers and other University staff.
The associations drew the attention of government to the recurrent crises in the country, especially the spate of
terrorism, banditry, kidnappings, money rituals, prostitution, and other social vices, and noted that these are some
of the consequences of youths not being critically engaged.
A situation where millions of students are locked out of campuses portends a grave danger for the county, the
associations lamented.
They disclosed that the all-time honoured aphorism that an idle brain is the devil’s workshop
was instructive, and government should ensure that the crises in the county are not further exacerbated by allowing
these youths to be willing tools for social vices.
The Association called on the Presidency to wade into the matter as a matter of utmost concern so that all
contending issues are speedily and expeditiously resolved.
On the other hand, the Association is pleading with the leadership of ASUU to sheath its sword and recall its
members back to the universities as they have made their point.
The opinion of the members of the public generally is in favour of resumption of academic activities in the
universities that have been closed for over six (6) months now.
Signed
NAME AND DESIGNATION SIGNATURE
1. Dr. John Momoh, OON, NPOM
President (Worldwide), University of Lagos
Alumni Association
2. Prof. Ahmed Tijani Mora
National Chairman, Conference of Alumni
Associations of Nigerian Universities
(CAANU) for ABU Alumni Association
3. Prof. Elsie Adewoye
President, University of Ibadan Alumni
4. Prof. Yakubu Aboki Ochefu
President University of Calabar Alumni
5. Pst. Nuhu Sani
President, University of Jos Alumni
6. Pst. Ule Williams Glad
President, University of Port Harcourt