Tambuwal urges ASUU to devise other means of industrial action, not strikes

By Musa Annabi – Sokoto

Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal of Sokoto state has appealed to the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to deploy better ways of engaging the Federal government than the perennial strikes it often embarks on to press its demands.

Governor Tambuwal made the plea while receiving the new executives of the Sokoto State University chapter of the union on Thursday.

He appealed to the union to develop some skills of negotiations geared towards arriving at consensus and common ground between it and governments at various levels other than the strike.

Tambuwal said strike affects the general economy the well-being of the university, states, and the country at large.

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While congratulating the immediate past executives of the union for their exemplary leadership, he implored their successors to embrace peaceful dialogue, engagement, and negotiation between the union, the university management, and state government in whatever issue that might  come up going forward.

”it is not about confrontation. It is not about fighting. We all have common objectives, which is the improvement of the standard of education at all levels in the state,” he added, emphasizing that since that is the case both the government and ASUU shouldn’t work at cross purposes that will only result in truncation of the development of education.

On the appointments of new Deputy Vice-Chancellors (DVCs) in the university, the governor urged the university management and  governing board to look inward for the selection, assuring it that the state government will not interfere in the process since the university has competent hands.

Tambuwal also used the occasion to announce that the state government will soon identify the site for the construction of a new College of Health Science at the university which will be funded by  Abdulsamad Isiyaka Rabiu Foundation.

He said already state government has commenced the construction of the temporary site of the college.

Tambuwal said by the time his  administration completes the new teaching hospital successfully, it will be the biggest and largest medical complex in Nigeria .

In their seperate remarks, the immediate past and new chairman of the Sokoto State University chapter of ASUU,  Dr Attahiru  Sifawa, and Dr Saidu Isah Abubakar respectively said they were at the Government House to express appreciation to the Governor.

They commended him for expansion of the university through the building of many faculties, construction of the University library, 60 offices complex, other facilities as well as the ongoing new Sokoto State University Teaching Hospital.

The duo also thanked the governor for settling all outstanding staff entitlements while requesting him to address the issue of abandoned staff quarters at the campus.