Senate President, David Mark, has pleaded with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to reconsider their position and return to classes to salvage the already battered education sector from further deterioration.
Mark in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Paul Mumeh, in Abuja renewed the appeal when he commissioned a lecture theatre for the School of Management Sciences at the Kano State Polytechnic, built and donated by Senator Kabiru Gaya.
He urged the Federal Government not to use the sledge hammer on ASUU on account of the lingering strike.
Mark said: “We have reached a situation where hard line positions would worsen the situation. My plea to ASUU is to resume classes while negotiation continues.
“The strike has done enough damage to our universities. They have also made their point and I think we should reason together and end this matter.
” Nobody, including the University teachers themselves can be said to be enjoying this crisis. It is a huge cost on government, parents, the management, staff and students of the universities. Nigerians agree that the situation
is bad.
“ASUU over the years has enjoyed the sympathy of Nigerians. I am afraid if they remain adamant on this, they would lose the sympathy and support of the people.”
He reiterated the inevitability of quality and functional education for the survival of any nation saying that every thing needed to be done should not be compromised in other to save our education sector.
He praised Senator Gaya for building and donating the lecture theatre to the Polytechnic named: “Senator David Mark lecture theatre”.
Mark also commissioned solar powered boreholes donated by Gaya to the Nigerian Army’s 3 Brigade Command , Bukavu Barracks , Kano; State Police Command, Bompai , Kano, Nigerian Prisons formation and Kano Golf Club.
Gaya had said the projects were part of his commitments towards giving back to the society in positive ways and ultimately addressing the water supply deficiency faced by the people.