Femi Gbajabiamila, speaker of the House of Representatives has said,
the suspension of the strike embarked on by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) does not mean all the issues of funding, education standard, and student and staff welfare have been resolved.
Gbajabiamila said, there should be no resting on oars, instead, let there be a call to action for the government, universities, unions, and citizens to begin the critical conversation about the future of public tertiary education in the country.
The speaker, whose recent intervention propelled the discontinuation of the eight months strike, assured that the House of Representatives will pursue the objective of quality education with dedication and determination.
Gbajabiamila in a statement he personally issued after ASUU called off the labour impasse early Friday, said the decision of the university lecturers was
right, as it allows students at public universities in the country to resume their academic activities.
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“I thank the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency Muhammdu Buhari, GCFR; Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr Boss Mustapha; Minister of Education, Alhaji Adamu Adamu; Minister of Labour, Senator Chris Ngige; Professor Emmanuel Osodeke and the leadership of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) for working to resolve the issues that necessitated the strike action.
“I also appreciate my colleagues in the House of Representatives for the decision to intervene in negotiations with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU). I am confident that the House will endeavour to ensure that the Federal Government keeps its commitments to the union and universities.
“It is regrettable that this strike action happened in the first place. It is even more unfortunate that it lasted as long as it did. We must make sure it never happens again. Our public universities should be citadels of learning and innovation, where young people discover themselves and reach for the stars. That is not now the case. Changing that requires that we admit certain harsh truths and take radical action.
“I wish our young people Godspeed as they return to school. I encourage them to ensure that the disruption to the academic calendar does not deter them from pursuing their ambitions and achieving their best dreams,” he said.
