EX-NIGERIAN LEADER, ABDULSALAMI, URGESASUU TO END STRIKE

The former Head of State called for peace in
Nigeria

A former Head of State, Abdulsalami
Abubakar, on Friday in Minna appealed to the
Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU,
to call off their strike in the collective
interest of the country.





He made the call when he paid a Sallah visit to
the Governor of Niger State, Babangida Aliyu,
in the company of another former Head of
State, Ibrahim Babangida.
Mr. Abdulsalami said the striking lecturers
had made their point and should, therefore,
end the strike.
The strike which began on July 1 entered its
110th day on Friday.

“I appeal to everybody to give peace a chance.
Let the striking lecturers sheathe their
swords. The government should also resolve
issues at stake as fast as possible.

“Just like former President Babangida said, I
believe strike is normal all over the world, but
in Nigeria, we are over doing it; strike in
advanced countries is for hours or a few days.”

Mr. Abdulsalami said.
On the security challenges facing the country,
Mr. Abdulsalami urged Nigerians to play their
roles as citizens by providing useful
information on the activities of criminals to
relevant agencies.

“The government in turn should protect its
sources of information. Without peace, you
cannot have a nation; without peace, you
cannot start looking for daily bread.

“It is absolutely necessary that we join hands
with the government to ensure that we have a
peaceful nation.”

Mr. Aliyu thanked the two elder statesmen for
the visit, noting that their wealth of
experience had served as a useful guiding light
to his administration.

In a related development, the Chief Imam of
Bida Road Central Mosque, Kaduna, Raji
Lukman, on Friday urged the Federal
Government and ASUU to end the deadlock in
the current strike by university lecturers.

Mr. Lukman, who made the call during the
weekly Juma’at sermon, said it was important
to end the strike so as not to cripple the
education sector.

He urged the two sides to settle the matter
amicably in order to allow students resume for
their studies.

The Imam advised parent to take the
responsibility of their children very seriously,
by training them to be the leaders
of tomorrow.

He also said that children must obey their
parent for them to progress in life.

Mr. Lukman called on Muslims to pray for the
safe return of Nigerian pilgrims in Saudi
Arabia, and for the peace and stability of the
country.

The Imam admonished those in position of
authority to lead by example, fear Allah, and
be just and fair to all.

He said this would engender patriotism, unity
and development of the country.