The Conference of Alumni Associations of Nigerian Universities (CAANU) has urged the Nigerian Government to honour the agreement with the Academic Staff Union of Universities to prevent another industrial action.
The association also urged the government to consolidate the interactions with ASUU and other university-based unions to prevent strikes or any action that could threaten the continuous academic programme in the Universities.
The association said this in a communique issued at its fourth-quarter meeting which took place at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka.
ASUU has threatened to resume its suspended strike following the alleged failure of the federal government to meet its demands.
The university lecturers, after giving the government a three-week ultimatum, have referred the decision to resume strike to its branches.
The branches are expected to reach a decision this week and communicate such to the leadership of ASUU
The communique, which was signed by Prof Ahmed Tijjani Mora, Chairman and Dr Godwin Akpan, Secretary, partly reads: “The Conference urged the Federal Government of Nigeria to with a matter of urgency consolidate the interactions with the ASUU and other Universities Unions to prevent any of industrial action or any action that could threaten the continuous academic programme in the Universities.
“It also urged governments at various levels to fulfil the terms of suspension of the strike action as agreed upon by the parties as well show required dedication towards improved funding of the Education section.”
The association, while condemning the insecurity challenge in the country, noted that the ugly attack on Universities and other educational institutions in the country was “utterly regrettable.”
It urged the Nigerian government in particular, as well as governments at various levels to “device a new strategy to tackle the insecurity in the country and guarantee the security of lives and properties of the Nigerian citizens.”
The association applauded the Nigerian government for its proactiveness in the control of the spread of COVID-19 in the country.
It appealed to the government, the Presidential Standing Committee on COVID-19 and every relevant agency to step up their activities to prevent the importation of the new variants of the disease into the country through the nation’s borders and as well further ensure the vaccination against the disease and its control in the country.
The Conference implored Universities Alumni Associations to imbibe the culture of the Annual Alumni Intervention project to their universities.
Nnenna.O
