Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, the wife of Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has described the prolonged strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) as a ‘ticking time bomb’ that needs to be addressed urgently.
Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu Calls For End Of ASUU Strike
KanyiDaily recalls that ASUU had embarked on a warning strike since February 14, over the failure of the federal government to meet its demands.
Amid the strike, the government and the union have held a series of meetings, but no agreement has been reached by both sides on ending the strike.
Speaking at a special Eid-El-Fitr celebration held at Lagos House, Alausa, Ikeja on Wednesday, Ibijoke said, “our children need to go back to school” before the devil will find work for them.
Noting that it’s wrong for students to sit at home doing nothing, the Lagos first lady called on relevant stakeholders to dissipate more efforts toward ending the industrial action.
She said, “Our children need to go back to school. It is a ticking time bomb when our children sit at home doing nothing. The devil will find work for the idle hands.
“Our children, those in the universities, sitting down at home for two months is not a plus for us and so anytime we have the opportunity, we as parents, especially mothers, should continue speaking up.
“The federal universities are shut down as a result of the ASUU strike. We plead and plead that God will help us to resolve this issue.
“I don’t feel comfortable that the students are at home and whatever it takes, all hands must be on deck to ensure that they go back to school.”
Ibijoke also urged parents to pay closer attention to issues affecting their children, adding that youths should avoid indulging in immoral activities.
She said, “As we bask in the euphoria of this sacred celebration, it is also important to seize the opportunity of this spiritual exercise to admonish our children and youths to shun all ungodly, immoral, and bestial acts.
“As parents and guardians too, we must lead by example and pay closer attention to the totality of what concerns our children and wards. It is okay to intrude into their privacy and ensure that we guide them on the right path.
“More importantly, let us be their true and sincere friends so that we can earn their trust and confidence to discuss anything and everything with us. That way, we have the unique opportunity to put things right.”
KanyiDaily recalls that Former Anambra Governor, Peter Obi had also expressed concern over the ongoing ASUU strike, saying that it’s sad that Nigerian universities are on strike while politicians are campaigning for the 2023 elections.