Group blames incessant ASUU strike for dwindling education

A social group, Iko Udama, has said that the recurring strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) had contributed to the dwindling standard of education in Nigeria.

The Chairman of the group, Mr Amodu Achema, in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja, on Sunday, described the ongoing strike as unfortunate.

“When we hear that the standard of education is dropping, the incessant strike is a remote cause.

“I remember our days in the university, even though there were strikes, it cannot be compared to what is happening today.

“For the best part of last year, ASUU was on strike and now they have embarked on another strike,” Achema said.

He said that it was time the lingering issues between ASUU and the Federal Government were tackled, to restore the glory of public universities.

Achema expressed worry over the ongoing one-month warning strike, saying, ”it is our prayer that government steps in as it had promised to.

“The two parties should come together and reconcile their differences once and for all.

“There should be a meeting point, because ASUU members, who are staff of public universities, and the students are our children,” he said.

On petrol, the chairman said the trend had shown that whenever there was a discussion around fuel subsidy, queues would build up.

According to him, decisive action should be taken on the matter, whether to remove subsidy or not and palliatives should be provided to tackle the immediate shock it would cause.

“Right now as a country, we only export crude oil, we do not refine because our refineries are not working.

“It is our prayers, therefore, that government will do the needful, so that this issue was sorted out once and for all.

“I urge the Federal Government to make public the outcome of its investigation into how toxic fuel made its way into the country and those responsible should be punished to serve as deterrent,” he said.

On the Iko Dama Club, the chairman said it was established to ensure  integration and provision of a social net for those in need.

He further stated that the  group had life insurance for members and scholarship from primary school through higher institutions. for children of the poor.

Achema noted that the group was partnering with Paul and Mary Achimugu Foundation, with funding currently sourced from members.

He, however, called for more partnerships to help achieve its vision through its chapters in Abuja, Kaduna and Kogi. (NAN)