Sultan urges striking workers to return to work

The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, on Tuesday urged striking workers to call off their strikes and go back to the negotiating table.
Abubakar made the call as part of his Eid el-Kabir message to the Muslim faithful.
He said: “We wish to use this opportunity to call on all those on strike, especially university academic and non-academic staff, to call off their strikes so as to reduce the sufferings of the people.
“And they should go back to the negotiating table in order to bring an end to the crisis.
“This is a problem in the development of the country.
“We urge the government to listen to the complaints of the workers with the intention of solving them.
“The workers on their part should always be mindful of the suffering of the teeming populace in the country.”
Abubakar maintained that the strike by the university lecturers, now in its fourth month, had caused a lot of hardships to the students and their parents.
“The strike of medical workers has, on its part, caused loss of many lives and untold hardship to the sick who cannot afford going to private clinics,” Abubakar said.
He also expressed concern with the insecurity in the country, saying: “It is a matter of great concern.”
The Sultan appealed to all Muslims to live peacefully and avoid all acts of violence.
“We wish to call on the politicians, especially those holding executive positions, to help in ensuring the security of this country,” he said.
Abubakar also urged the politicians to find lasting solution to the security situation and improve the lot of the people who elected them.
He further called on governments at all levels to empower the youths through proper moral education and provision of employment opportunities.
“This will enhance the security situation and bring the desired peace in this country,” Abubakar said.