The Federal Government has pleaded with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to make a sacrifice and suspend its on-going industrial action in the interest of the nation.
The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, Mrs Ibukun Odusote; who has been at the centre of the efforts to resolve the crisis, appealed the members of ASUU to make some sacrifices as parents to secure the future of Nigeria children.
Mrs Odusote made the appeal while addressing the delegates of the African Students Union Parliament (ASUP), led by its Speaker Kewul Abel in Abuja on Tuesday.
The ASUP delegation was on a courtesy visit to the permanent secretary; where they honour and presented her with the Pan African Leadership Award for Excellence.
The permanent secretary said: “I am appealing to ASUU members, who are also parents, that there are some sacrifices that some people have to make so that the future of our children can be secured. If our children are sitting at home at a critical time like this, with the year coming to an end, and the nation preparing for a national election. The tendencies that they will start running into political groups for vices engagement are high.”
“Therefore, it is in the national interest that the on-going industrial action embarked upon by ASUU be amicably resolved through social dialogue for our children to continue their educational pursuit,” The Permanent Secretary said.
Appreciating the African Students Union Parliament for recognising her humble contribution to national development, Mrs Ibukun Odusote said: “I want to thank you for this honour, there are many that have put in hard work and have not had the opportunity of being recognised. I thank God that this is happening and that we can see a day like this.”
Speaking further, the Permanent Secretary attributed her achievements to the contributions and support she enjoyed from members of staff both past and present.
She tasked the student parliamentarian to pay attention to their education so that they can come out in flying colours
In his remarks, the Speaker of the African Students Union Parliament, Kewul Abel said, in recognition of the contributions of the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, Mrs Ibukun Odusote to national development and vivacious nature fused with remarkable administrative acumen, the students parliament decided to pay her a courtesy visit and present her with the Pan African Leadership Award for Excellence.