Era Of Strikes Over In Varsities’ – President Tinubu

By Ayodele Oni

President Bola  Tinubu has assured Nigerians that era of incessant strikes at the ivory tower is over as the federal government will synergize with all the academic unions in the country.

President Tinubu, who stated this during the 33rd convocation ceremony of the Federal University of Technology, Akure, (FUTA) on Saturday said the needed synergy with the Unions will further foster educational development in the country.

Represented by the former President of the West Africa College of Surgeons, Prof. King-David Terna Yawe, Tinubu said the synergy will help to create an atmosphere of peace and tranquillity on all campuses.

“I would like to enjoin all the unions in our universities to cooperate with the government to deliver the needed development by ensuring an atmosphere of peace and tranquilly on our campuses.

“On our part, we will ensure that motivational activities are put in place to ensure improved productivity. Reciprocative actions would be expected from our universities as the government works hard to raise the bar for a conducive teaching and learning environment.

“To whom much is given, much is expected. Dialogue, patience, and positive engagement are better means of achieving results than strike actions. Industrial disharmony does nothing but disrupt life, waste time, and elongate the academic calendar.

“Therefore, all avenues for dialogue must be explored and exhausted before strike actions are considered, and as the last resort.”

The President also expressed the commitment of his administration in tackling all the challenges confronting the education sector in the country and repositioning the sector.

He said the government is not unaware of the challenges confronting higher institutions of learning in the country and said this was one of the reasons the Students Loan Bill was signed into law immediately after his inauguration as President

According to him, “This Act will enable indigent students in all our tertiary institutions to have access to interest-free loans, which they will pay back at their convenience in the future when they are gainfully employed.

“Under my watch, and as I have said in my manifesto, no student will drop out of school as a result of an inability to pay school charges.

He stated, “The government is not unaware of the challenges facing our higher educational institutions, particularly our universities.

“I want to use this opportunity to assure all Nigerians that our government is making frantic efforts to address the situation holistically.

“My government would not shirk its responsibilities in this regard. We will ensure that educational institutions get their dues to perform their statutory duties optimally.”

He disclosed that there are many good plans in the pipeline being put in place by his administration, saying the welfare of the students, human welfare, and welfare development will be given priority to ensure

He congratulated the graduates on this great occasion, encouraging them to make use of what they learned during their school training.

The Vice Chancellor of the school, Prof. Adenike Oladiji, said a total of 195 out of the 3,491 graduands graduated with First Class, saying the graduands include 2,295 males and 1,196 females.