ASUU Strike: It Is No Longer Acceptable to Keep Students At Home - Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari criticized the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), on Monday for allegedly being adamant in ending the prolonged strike, declaring that enough is enough about keeping students at home. 

President Buhari urged the university lecturers not to harm the next generation for goodness sake and expressed his hope that ASUU would sympathize with the people affected by the long drawn strike.

The President called on ASUU to change its stance on the protracted strike while speaking to lawmakers, governors, and other political figures at his home in Daura, Katsina State. He expressed concern that the strike will have generational effects on families, the educational system, and the nation's future development.

The President claimed that the strike had already had an impact on the psychological well-being of parents, students, and other stakeholders, bringing to light numerous moral issues that urgently needed attention. 

He stated that the country's future depends on how well its educational systems and general education are run. He also assured the students in the lecture halls that the government is aware of their concerns and that further negotiations should be held.

According to a statement made by Mallam Garba Shehu, Senior Special Assistant to the President for Media and Publicity, "We hope that ASUU will sympathize with the people on the prolonged strike. The days of keeping students at home are genuinely over. Please, do not harm the coming generation. 

The President urged all well-meaning Nigerians, especially those close to the association's leaders and members, to take action to convince the lecturers to change their minds about their stance and the potential consequences for the nation and an entire generation. 

He claimed that university students from Nigeria will have to compete with others in a highly connected and technologically advanced workplace, and that keeping them at home will only rob them of the time, opportunities, and skills necessary to be relevant on a global scale.

He asserts that "Colonial-style education was designed to produce workers for the government. These positions have been eliminated. Education should be provided to our youth to help prepare them for self-employment. Education is now pursued for its own sake. 

"Technology has greatly increased our efficiency. Our children should be encouraged to pursue education rather than just look for government jobs. 

Instead of growing the bureaucracy to create jobs, President Buhari said resources should be directed more toward developing the infrastructure and running the health and educational sectors.

The President stated, "By this time next year, I would have gotten the most out of the two terms, and I will do my best in the remaining months." 

He urged those in positions of power and privilege to exercise caution when assisting the numerous Nigerians who were looking for opportunities. 

If you're greedy, you won't look around to see what's going on with people who have less," he said. 

The President explained to the governors and political figures that the demands of office had prevented him from visiting his home in Daura for nearly a year.

"The Emir of Daura, Dr. Faruk Umar Faruk, made the observation that I left my base at the Eid prayer grounds. The last time I was in Daura was for Eid-el-Kabir in 2021, he said while holding the microphone, he continued. 

In contrast to Kaduna, where he had a better home, President Buhari stated that he would retire in Daura. 

"I'll be here in about ten to eleven months. Though it is closer to Abuja, I have a better house in Kaduna," he claimed.

The President cited the busy work schedule and expressed sympathy for Geoffrey Onyema, the minister of foreign affairs, who had to spend most of his time away from his family. 

Insisting that "We are a lucky people, and we need to reflect more on where we are coming from," he urged the APC's core members to continue working for the benefit of the populace and the nation.

According to the President, the government had accomplished a lot in many areas, particularly in infrastructure, given the resources at its disposal and in comparison to the previous administration. 

I wish the best for the person coming after me," he said. 

The North West, according to the President, had more security-related difficulties, while the North East and South South had seen some progress.

Some South South natives were advised by President Buhari to stop harming national assets because doing so also affects their livelihood. 

I can't wait to leave. I can attest that it hasn't been easy. The fact that people recognize the personal sacrifices we have been making, I thank God for, he continued. 

Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, the chairman of the Progressive Governors' Forum, thanked the president during his remarks at the meeting for his leadership in boosting the country's economy and for the numerous achievements of the APC, including the two conventions that produced the party's leadership and its presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.

"We'll put in a lot of effort to make sure our party is a success. We should put in a lot of effort, he continued. 

The governor of Kebbi State, Bagudu, claimed that the state's rice pyramids showed clear evidence of the success of the vision to ensure food production and make agriculture a priority. 

"Our nation's food production is still self-sufficient despite the renegade attacks. Before you took office, there were no investments that we have seen now.

"Agriculture process zones are now present in at least 20 states. While maize pyramids were revived in the states of Katsina and Kano, we have rice pyramids in the states of Ekiti, Gombe, and Niger, he said. 

He claimed that 57 fertiliser plants had been renovated or rebuilt, and that more than 54 rice meals had been put into service in various states. 

The governor told the President, "All these were accomplished because of your commitment and patriotism."

In addition, Bagudu thanked the President for making it simple for governors and other political figures to communicate with him. He noted that the National Economic Council's opening for a more open exchange of ideas had a significant positive impact on the economy. 

At the lunch with the president were the governors of the following APC states: Rt. Hon. Aminu Bello Masari of Katsina State, Malam Nasir el-Rufai of Kaduna State, Hope Uzodinma of Imo State, Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State, Abubakar Sani Bello of Niger State, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje of Kano State, Dr. Fayemi