Adamu Adamu, the minister of education, said on Tuesday that he had been in a dark phase of personal sorrow and mental instability as a result of the Academic Staff Union of Universities‘ extended strike.
This was revealed at a meeting with vice-chancellors and pro-chancellors of Federal Universities on Tuesday at the National Universities Commission in Abuja.
“The last two weeks have been a really dark period for me, filled with personal sorrow and emotional struggle.” I used to fool myself into thinking that in an environment of candour and mutual goodwill, it would fall to my lot to put an end to the never-ending strikes in the education sector.
This has not proven to be possible, or at least not as simple, quick, and uncomplicated as I had hoped.
“Distinguished Chairmen, Vice-Chancellors, and Presidents, I phoned you today not to tell you about my pain, but to tell you about what we’ve done and what has to be done. And, without a doubt, much work remains to be done. However, for quite different reasons, the present Government and ASUU positions on the future of discussions appear to have agreed.
“For me, this is a position I would have wanted us to reach after an amicable resolution of all the issues contained in the 2009 Agreements. It appears that we are running ahead of the negotiations but not for the right reasons. The President of ASUU has been reported to have said the Union would no longer negotiate with the current Federal Government.
“This position must be resisted. Government and ASUU have no option than to continue talking until our universities have reopened their doors to students, who clearly are the principal victims of the seemingly unending strikes. In the circumstances, therefore, all Councils and Senates of our universities are enjoined to rise up to their responsibilities.
“We must, together, continue to work to restore our public universities to where they were in the 60s and 70s. As the most important officers in our university system, Pro-Chancellors and Vice-Chancellors, must demonstrate more commitment to ending the ongoing strike.
“As Chairmen of Councils and Senates – the highest policy and academic bodies in the system – you must consider it your paramount duty to promote policies and actions that will discourage industrial disputes in our campuses. Government will continue to support the physical and academic development of its universities.
“The main challenge, as you are fully aware, is dwindling resources available to address all the concerns of the citizenry. We thank you for your support, understanding and sacrifices.”
