The Nasarawa State House of Assembly has appealed to the Academic Staff Union of University (ASUU) of the State University, Keffi, to pull out from the ongoing nationwide strike embarked upon by its national body.
This, the Assembly said, is in the interest of the poor masses and for the overall educational development of the state.
Daniel Ogazi, the Chairman, House Committee on Education, Science and Technology, made the call during a meeting with officials of ASUU, NSUK chapter, Tuesday in Lafia, the State capital.
Ogazi (APC-Kokona East), who is the Deputy Majority Leader, said that the state government and the House was committed to make the university to meet international best standard.
“We call this meeting to appeal to you to suspend the ASUU strike and resume work in the interest of poor students and the state at large.
“His Excellency, Gov. Abdullahi Sule, and the House under the leadership of Rt. Hon. Ibrahim Balarabe Abdullahi are committed to make the university among the best in the country.
“We are priotising the university because it is one of the industries we are proud of in the state.
“You are all aware of our resolutions toward improving the standard of education in the university and the state at large.
“We have recently appealed to His Execellency, Gov. Abdullahi Sule to take over the full payment of salaries of the staff of the institution.
“And last two weeks, the governor met with you, he has agreed to take over full payment of salaries in the institution.
“You can see, both the executive and the legislature are committed to make NSUK among the best institutions in order to meet up with international standard,” he said.
The Chairman assured ASUU of their commitment to improved welfare of the lecturers, other staff and for improved standard of education.
Responding, Dr Samuel Allu, the NSUK ASUU Chairman, appreciated the House for their concern support.
Allu said that the strike was a nationwide action and promised to reply the House by next week after their congress meeting on the matter.
“We want to thank you for your concern, we will call for our congress next week to brief our members on your appeal.
“As we also told His Excellency, Gov. Abdullahi Sule, the same when he appealed to us to suspend the strike,” he said.
“We are messengers, we will go back to the congress to inform them of all that have taken place, your appeals and we will get back to you accordingly, possiblly by next week after our congress,” he added.
The meeting had in attendance all the members of the House Committee on Education, Science and Technology, NSUK ASUU executive members and Dr Tanimu Yusuf, the immediate past chairman of ASUU, NSUK chapter.