The Vice Chancellor of the Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University (IBBU) Lapai Prof. Mohammed Hadi Sulaiman, has expressed confidence that the ongoing strike by the institution’s branch of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), will be called off soon.
The Vice Chancellor stated this when he led some management team of the university on a condolence visit to the Farmer Governor over the death of 37 artisinal miners in Minna.
Prof. Sulaiman noted that the state government has shown great commitment towards ending the strike, and it has so far paid N300m out of the outstanding N800m.
“We are working hands in gloves with them at the moment; the local chairman has travelled to meet with the national executives, and there is a possibility of the strike being suspended,” he said.
“Am sure in a very short while the ASUU will call off the strike,” he said.
Speaking on the death of the 37 miners, Prof. Sulaiman said, “When you look at the unfortunate incident that happened, these are young lads that are supposed to be in the university, but unfortunately they are out there mining.
“So we need to take back our students so that they don’t get influenced in the mining process.
“It is a trying moment for the state and the nation as a whole, and everyone will have to move a bit so that the issue can be resolved,” he said.
In his remarks, Farmer Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago appealed to the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) of the Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University (IBBU) Lapai to end its ongoing strike.
He said his administration is committed to developing education in the state and assured that all the outstanding of ASUU will be cleared by November.
According to him, “There is the need for ASUU to call off the strike so that students will not be distracted.
“I call on ASUU to be compassionate and show empathy by calling off this strike action. We need to collaborate to avoid distractions that can come when you keep students out of school for a long time,” he said.
He appreciated the visit and promised his continued support to the university.