President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday in Daura, Katsina State, urged the Academic Staff Union of Universities to reconsider their position on the ongoing strike, expressing concern that the stalemate will have generational ramifications for families, the educational system, and the country’s future development.
According to a statement signed by Garba Shehu, Senior Special Assistant to the President (Media & Publicity), Buhari, who received some governors of the All Progressives Congress (APC), legislators, and political leaders at his residence, said the strike had already taken a toll on the psychology of parents, students, and other stakeholders, bringing up many moral issues that demanded attention.
President Buhari stated that the future of the country is dependent on the quality of educational institutions and education, while assuring students that the government understands their position and that negotiations should continue in lecture halls.
“We hope that ASUU will sympathize with the people during the prolonged strike.” Enough of keeping students at home. “For goodness sake, don’t harm the next generation,” he said.
The President urged all well-meaning Nigerians, particularly those close to the association’s leaders and members, to intervene in persuading the lecturers to reconsider their position and the impact on an entire generation and the nation.
President Buhari stated that students from Nigerian universities will face the challenge of competing with others in a highly connected and technology-driven work environment, and that keeping them at home only deprives them of time, skill, and opportunities to be relevant on the global stage.
“Colonial education was designed to produce government workers. Those positions are no longer available. Our youth should be educated to prepare them for self-employment. Education is now for the sake of education.
“We are much more efficient because of technology.” “We should encourage our children to get an education rather than just look for government jobs,” he added.
President Buhari stated that resources should be directed more toward infrastructure development and health and education operations, rather than expanding the bureaucracy to create job opportunities.
“By this time next year, I will have made the most of the two terms, and I will do my best in the remaining months,” the President stated.
President Buhari urged those in positions of power and privilege to be mindful of the many Nigerians looking for work.
“If you are greedy, you will not look around to see what is happening to those who are less endowed,” he said.
The President informed the governors and political leaders that he had not visited his home in Daura in nearly a year due to the demands of office.
“The Emir of Daura, Dr Faruk Umar Faruk, made the observation that I abandoned my base at the Eid prayer ground.” He held the microphone and told everyone, “The last time I was in Daura was during Eid-el-Kabir in 2021,” he added.
President Buhari stated that he would retire to Daura rather than Kaduna, where he had a better house.
“I’ll come here in ten to eleven months.” “I have a better house in Kaduna, but it is too close to Abuja,” he explained.
The President explained that his work schedule was hectic, saying he recently had to sympathize with Foreign Affairs Minister Geoffrey Onyema, who had to spend most of his time away from his family.
President Buhari urged APC leaders to continue working for the good of the people and the country, saying, “We are a lucky people, and we need to reflect more on where we are coming from.”
According to the President, the government has done well in many areas, particularly infrastructure, in comparison to the resources available and to the previous administration.
“I wish the person who comes after me the best,” he said.
On security, the President stated that the North West had presented more challenges, but that some success had been recorded in other regions, including the North East and South South.
President Buhari advised some South South indigenes to refrain from endangering national assets, which also affect their livelihood.
“I’m excited to go.” I can tell you it has been difficult. “I am grateful to God that people recognize the personal sacrifices we have made,” he added.
In his remarks at the meeting, the Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, thanked the President for his leadership roles in improving the nation’s economy and the many successes recorded at the APC, including two conventions to produce the party leadership and the presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.
“We will work tirelessly to ensure the success of our party.” “We have reasons to work very hard,” he added.
Bagudu, the Governor of Kebbi State, stated that the favorable seasons supported the vision of ensuring food production and making agriculture a priority, with visible results in rice pyramids in various states.
“Despite the renegade attacks, our country remains self-sufficient in food production.” We have seen investments that were not present prior to your election.
“There are now agriculture processing zones in at least 20 states.” “We have rice pyramids in Ekiti, Gombe, and Niger, and maize pyramids have been revived in Katsina and Kano states,” he said.
He stated that more than 54 rice meals have been commissioned in various states, and that 57 fertiliser plants have been revitalized or rebuilt.
“All of this was made possible by your dedication and patriotism,” the governor told the President.
Bagudu also praised the President for making governors and political leaders more accessible, noting that the opening of the National Economic Council for a more fluid exchange of ideas has greatly aided in the improvement of the economy.
Katsina State Governor, Rt Hon. Aminu Bello Masari, Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasir el-Rufai, Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma, Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, Niger State Governor, Abubakar Sani Bello, Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, Ekiti State Governor, Dr Fayemi Kayode, Plateau
