The announcement of the suspension of the nine-month-long strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities could not have come at a better time than now.
The suspension of the strike did not only put smile on the faces of students, but everyone who has direct or indirect connection with the university system.
As heart soothing as the news may sound, however, the statement by ASUU President, Prof. Ogunyemi that “The union will return to strike without notice if the government fails in meeting its part of the agreement reached with the university lecturers,” is worrying.
The statement means the suspension of the strike is conditional and could be resumed if by any chance the government reneges on its promises. Should this give us hope or despair?
I will, therefore, plead with the federal government to redeem promises made to ASUU to enable the child of the common man to have a future.
One must commend both parties (FG and ASUU) for resolving to settle the matter once and for all. Perhaps the struggles of ASUU for the improvement of public universities have not been in vain.
We hope this will mark the end of incessant strikes, which the ASUU is notorious for, and usher in a new dawn where students will have undisrupted period of study.
Mahmud Yahaya, Bauchi State University, Gadau
