By Adamu Yusuf
The Management of Kaduna State University (KASU) has appealed to the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), KASU Branch, to reconsider its ongoing warning strike and give dialogue with the Kaduna State Government an opportunity to resolve the issues in contention.
The Vice-Chancellor of the University, Professor Abdullahi Ibrahim Musa, made the appeal in a statement issued and made available to journalists in Kaduna on Friday.
Professor Musa said the university management understood the concerns raised by academic staff, as well as the anxiety among students and parents over the disruption of academic activities.
He noted that many KASU students had travelled from different parts of Kaduna State and other parts of the country to pursue their education, stressing that any disruption to the academic calendar affects their studies, families and future plans.
The Vice-Chancellor therefore urged ASUU-KASU to reconsider the continuation of the warning strike, particularly in view of the steps already being taken by the Kaduna State Government to address the issues under discussion.
He commended the intervention of the Visitor to the University and Governor of Kaduna State, Senator Uba Sani, describing the administration’s efforts as practical steps towards finding lasting solutions to the challenges confronting the institution.
According to him, the Governor has constituted a nine-member committee, chaired by the Commissioner for Education, Professor Abubakar Sani Sambo, to engage with the issues raised and make appropriate recommendations within one month.
Professor Musa said the university management appreciated the intervention and the Governor’s willingness to keep the channels of dialogue open.
He expressed optimism that the development would provide an opportunity for the government, university management and the unions to address the outstanding issues through structured and constructive engagement.
The Vice-Chancellor reaffirmed Management’s commitment to the welfare and academic interests of both staff and students, saying the university would continue to engage sincerely with the unions and communicate transparently with the government.
He also assured students and parents that the management was making every reasonable effort to achieve an early resolution and facilitate the restoration of normal academic activities.
Editing By Yusuf Zubairu