Some prominent indigenes of Kogi State have appealed to the university lecturers, who have paralised academic activities at the Kogi State University for sometime now to call off their strike.
In a statement issued at the end of the parley, which was under the aegis of Kogi Professional Forum (KPF), the people appealed both to the Academic Staff of Universities Union (ASUU) and the government to apply the principle of effective dialogue in order to put an end to the protracted face-off.
The statement, which was signed by the National Convener of the forum and Secretary, Ibrahim Ali and Dr. Olushola Mathew, respectively, also appealed to the school management to consider the efforts of Governor Yahaya Bello so far and call off its strike, which it noted was devastating and demoralising.
KPF while acknowledging that the management of the school was fighting a just course, urged them to also consider that the government of Yahaya Bello has accepted to bear responsible of the burden transferred to his government from another administration, even as the group appealed to the University body to also consider the plight of the students who are the greatest losers in the face-off.
“We are not in doubt that the management of the school strike action is altruistic and intended to improve the general quality of education in the state. But there is need for the union to reconsider its rigid stance, in view of the counterproductive effect it could have on the educational sector due to the gross distortions in the academic calendars of university and its demoralising effects on the students,” the group said.
The forum also applauded Governor Bello over the renaming of the 15-year-old Kogi State University after the late Prince Abubakar Audu.
It said by re-naming the institution, “Prince Abubakar Audu University.” it was a welcome development aimed at immortalizing the late former governor who worked hard for the progress of the state during his tenure as governor.
The group pledged that it was ready to work with the governor in achieving his dreams for the state, noting that: “Governor Bello has proven that Kogi State can regain its lost glory and that he is a visionary leader ready to make the state a place to reckon with in the nearest future.”
Earlier this year, Bello assured civil servants in the state of the readiness of his government to build an iron-cast relationship with labour in order to deliver good governance to the people of the state and give hope to all citizens of Kogi.
Bello also promised an open-door policy, pledging a government of service to the people with transparency as bulwark of his administration
