Strike: ASUU told to obey court order immediately

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has been urged by Alhaji Abdullahi Ibrahim, a human resources specialist, to immediately follow the National Industrial Court’s ruling.

Ibrahim likewise asked the union to respect democracy and intellectualism by returning to the classroom rather than appealing the ruling.

In a statement he released on Thursday in Abuja, he made the request.

Ibrahim urged the Federal Government to drop its lawsuit against the company in the National Industrial Court instead of continuing with it.

He asserted that in order for ASUU members to resume their academic pursuits, the government must also order the immediate payment of any unpaid salary owed to them.

He suggested using alternate dispute settlement processes to end the ongoing crisis.

He said, “ASUU strike that has turned to national embarrassment, is avoidable if both parties had allowed patriotism to play dominant roles in the disagreement.”

Ibrahim expressed his delight with President Muhammadu Buhari’s assurance that he would undertake additional consultations to resolve the ASUU dispute.

He continued by saying that such a solid guarantee offers some hope that the issue would soon be resolved.

The human resource specialist also urged the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) to refrain from further escalating the situation by staging protests and making divisive statements as it was about to be brought under control.

“I am appealing to ASUU to call off the strike and resume classes,” he added.

Ibrahim expressed confidence that their unpaid wages from March to September of this year would undoubtedly be paid by the Federal Government, allowing academic activities to resume without hindrance.

He demanded that talks resume right away after the strike is called off.

Ibrahim contends that litigation has a tendency to drag out proceedings, making other dispute resolution mechanisms preferable.