Sultan of Sokoto urges Buhari to honour agreement with ASUU

The Sultan of Sokoto, Al-haji Sa’ad Abubakar, yesterday, urged President Muhammadu Buhari to honour the agreement between the Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) made in 2020.

The Sultan, who is also the Chancellor of the University of Ibadan (U.I) made the statement in Ibadan, Oyo State, in his speech at the convocation of the institution, which also marked its 73rd Founder’s Day.

President Buhari was represented at the ceremony by the Deputy Executive Secretary (Administration), National Universities Commission, Chris Mayaki.

The Sultan said the Federal Government must be ready to ensure that its agreement with lecturers is honoured so that public universities in the country would not be thrown into another round of strike.

ASUU on Monday gave the Federal Government a three-week ultimatum and threatened to begin an indefinite strike if the government failed to meet their demands at the expiration of the ultimatum.

Abubakar also appealed to the government for improved funding to enhance the research and physical development of the university.

Abubakar, while speaking on the crisis, which trailed the appointment of the new Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Kayo-
de Adebowale called on the VC to ensure genuine reconciliation with other contestants for the development of the university.

The Pro-Chancellor and the Chairman of the Governing Council of UI, John Odigie-Oyegun, said the university
required a special intervention and hard work to restore its respect among universities in the world.

Oyegun said although UI was ranked the first in Nigeria, its position in the world was nothing to write home
about, saying efforts must be made by the government and other stakeholders to make it to rank among the
very best in the world.

The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Kayode Adebowale, said although the university had done very well in many areas, it was still facing the problem of power. He said a huge amount was being spent on a monthly basis to settle the left rickety bills.

He listed the problem of Internet connectivity as another challenge facing sprees racers in the university. He, however, called on the government, the alumni and other Nigerians to assist in tackling these problems.