By; SADIQ ABUBAKAR, Maiduguri
President Muhammadu Buhari has appealed to the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to as a matter of importance and urgency, call off its strike and open all universities for academic services.
He also urged ASUU leaders to endeavour to resolve their staff issues amicably with the appropriate authorities, pointing out that the strike has drastically affected the students all over the country, disrupting their academic pursuits.
President Buhari made the plea on Friday at the convocation ceremony for the conferment of Doctor of Letters (D. Lit.)( Honoris Causa) on Dr. (Alhaji) Muhammadu Indimi, OFR, Chairman, Oriental Energy Resources Limited by the University of Maiduguri held at the Muhammadu Indimi Interventions Learning Center, University of Maiduguri.
Represented by the Chief of Staff (COS) to the President, Ambassador Professor Ibrahim Gamabari, he further described Alhaji Indimi as an achiever, committed international businessman and philanthropist that his community and humanity have benefitted from his wealth.
While appreciating the management of the university, Senate and governing council as visitor to the varsity, he commended their efforts and commitment to educational development despite the industrial action truncating steady academic services in universities for sometime now.
He further commended the people and Government of Borno State for their resilience, while sympathizing with them over the devastating religious challenges or conflicts in the state and North East, stressing that his government has not rested in the last seven years in ensuring that peace returns to the state and zone, with the setting up of commission and committee as well as provision of logistics, welfare and equipment to the Nigerian Military, as well as the police, to restore peace and orderliness
Buhari also said that his administration is not unmindful or ignorant of the criticisms made on his government, especially suggestions on the economy and security challenges.
However, efforts are being made to tackle the prevailing challenges, particularly, those of security and education.
He noted that education is vital to social development and agriculture has become.necceasity for the country to diversify towards improved agricultural production and development, emphasizing that, on this direction, his government has concentrated on technological developmental projects including industrial, agricultural and technological infrastructural development like road, railway, power, gas and oil infrastructural improvement.
“It is not true that nothing is going right in Nigeria. Because of the insecurity we are facing in some parts of the country. It is evidenced today that infrastructural developments are viable, improvements in mechanism of our road network, railway line, power generation and distribution projects and we have established a commission for Borno and North East.
“My administration remains committed to tackling all security issues of of the country. Results have started emerging now and all security agencies are better now. We will continue to improve on their welfare and logistics among others.
” We have provided hundreds of millions to the security agencies. Much money has been spent on purposes of helicopters for the police, fighter jets for the army and air force and other security vehicles. All to ensure peace reigns and socio economic activities pick up everywhere.
“The Act of Parliament new law is established, police industrial fund and improved salaries to enable police secure our communities. While on economic recess, it is a difficult time the world over, due to COVID-19 pandemic,” Buhari said.
Buhari also declared that his government remains committed to peaceful and credible 2023 general elections, while emphasizing that Nigerians however, must be respected anywhere they are, noting that all processes and outcomes of elections in Edo, Ekiti and Ondo states were clear indications that his government is capable of conducting and delivering a credible election in 2023.
He also called on ASUU to call off their strike and resolve to dialogue by way of resolving their contentious issues, saying, “ASUU strike is putting our children or students under pressure and idleness. Making them unproductive, idle and lazy if not frustrated.
“Nigeria is full of challenges, but it will become the third country of the world next to India and China. I therefore, urge Nigerians to see our resources and harness them. Nigeria is flourishing in industries, agricultural and technological developments by way of changing the narrative.
” I am confident that Nigeria will be united and peaceful. I congratulate Alhaji Indimi for his conferment of honorary degree (D. Lit.), Doctor of Letters which coincided with his birthday this year, as a result of his support and contributions to his community and humanity as well as his country. I join his family, friends, relations and associates in rejoicing with him on his conferment of Doctor of Letters by University of Maiduguri, ” Buhari added.
The Vice Chancellor, University of Maiduguri,, Processor Aliyu Shugaba appreciated the efforts and concerns of Alhaji Muhammadu Indimi for his Humanitarian and community services both in Borno, other parts of the country and even Africa and USA as a philanthropist, business mogul or conglomerate and educationist per excellence.
He said Indimi deserved the honour done to him by the varsity, based on the guided procedures, processes and rules and regulations of the institution having committed himself and contributed a lot to the university community and students within and outside the state as well abroad apart from building international centers and conferences as well as theaters and blocks of classrooms and offices in the distance learning and center for business development in the varsity.
Personalities at the conferment ceremony included, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, the First Lady, Mrs. A’isha Muhammadu Buhari, former Governor of Borno State and APC Presidential running mate, Senator Kashim Shettima, Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu represented by the former Vice Chancellor, University of Maiduguri and Federal University Dutse, Professor Jibrila D. Amin, Governor of Borno, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum represented by his Deputy, Hon. Umar Usman Kadafur, Governor of Yobe State, Hon. Mai Mala Buni represented by his Deputy, Governor of Gombe State, Hon. Inuwa Yahaya.
Others include Emirs and chiefs from Katsina, Jigawa, Gombe, etc, led by the Shehu of Borno, His Eminence, Alhaji Abubakar Ibn Umar Garbai El Kanemi, businessmen and women both within and outside Nigeria, diplomatic corps, top government functionaries, vice chancellors, former vice chancellors, Chairmen of boards and parastatals among others.
