By Igbotako Nowinta, Alltimepost.com Nigeria Bureau Chief
As millions of university lecturers in Nigeria face a very bleak Christmas because of non-payment of their outstanding salaries and arears, President Muhammadu Buhari remains solution that will quickly bring to an the protracted nationwide strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).
Reverend Harry Osayande, the General Overseer of the Final Word Grace Assembly recently made this declaration in an interview with Alltimepost.com during the 5th Annual Special Thanksgiving Service of the Final Word Grace Assembly International Inc. which held in Benin City, Edo State of Nigeria.
Rev. Osayande said God Almighty was not unconcerned with the plight of Nigerians at this critical stage of the Nigerian nation, especially the conditions of university lecturers.
“The moment President Muhammadu Buhari makes himself available for a personal one-on-one dialogue with the National leadership of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, the seemingly intractable demands of the group will give way to common sense, mutual trust and understanding that will automatically end this strike, and ensure the immediate payment of their withheld salaries.”
” l crave the indulgence of President Muhammadu Buhari, according to the leading of the holy spirit, to enter into immediate dialogue with the national leadership of the Academic Staff Union of Universities.
“Because if Mr. President comes out by himself to talk with the striking lecturers, by assuring them that their demands would be met as soon as possible, l see the lecturers adhering to the promise of Mr.
President, out of mutual trust and respect for his office, which will immediately lead to the payment of outstanding salaries and arears, and gradual fulfilment of the written demands of the lecturers.”
He regretted that with the way the Minister of Labour & Productivity, Dr. Chris Ngige is handling the ASUU demands, the situation will remain stagnated, while the lectures will have bleak Christmas, the students across universities in Nigeria will continue to suffer academically.
“This is not good for the health of educational development in Nigeria. A meeting between Mr. President and ASUU leaders as soon as possible, to be initiated by the Presidency will surprisingly lead to positive outcomes before the end of the year 2020″
Rev. Osayande decried the way the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), is handling the exorbitant prices of fuel and other essential commodities in the country and called on the established socio critics in Nigeria to rise up to the occasion on behalf of the suffering masses in Nigeria.
The Annual Special Thanksgiving Service of the Final Word Grace Assembly with the theme: “Harvest of Supernatural Lifting” was well attended by parishioners and guests from within and outside the country.
Guests were treated to melodious songs by the beautiful voices of the host choir, while sumptuous meals were freely served at the colorful event.
