Re-open our varsities now, Anglican Church tells FG

•Seeks state of emergency on security

THE Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, has advised the Federal government to reopen the nation's universities without further delay, even as it pleaded with the government to declare a state of emergency on the insecurity challenges ravaging the country.

In a communiqué at the 3rd Session of the 4th Synod of the Diocese of Ijumu, Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion held at the Emmanuel Anglican Church, Iyara, Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State, signed by the Diocesan Bishop, Rt Revd Dr Paul Olarewaju Ojo,  the church observed with dismay the deteriorating security situation in the nation particularly the destructive activities of Boko Haram, Bandits and the incessant farmer/Herders clashes which have limited food security in the country.

According to the Communique, "the ugly security challenges are solely responsible for the increase in the prices of food and other essential commodities of life."

On the strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, it said "Synod noticed in utter dismay the incessant ASUU strikes and the negative impact on the life of our youth now and in the future. Synod therefore encourages the Government and ASUU to amicably resolve their grievances and re open our Universities for a sincerely serious academic works.

The Communiqué pointed out that "The economy of Ijumu Local Government is highly ill -affected by the lack of industrialization and agro allied products despite being in abundant supply everywhere in Okunland particularly in Ijumu land."

*As ASUU threatens to sanction non-compliant varsities over strike

THE Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, has threatened to query universities that have failed to comply with its decision to remain on strike while negotiations with the Federal Government continues.

ASUU President, Prof Emmanuel Osodeke, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Abuja, yesterday.

Recall that ASUU had been on strike for the past five months to press home its demands.

Since the union embarked on strike, a few of its members have pulled out of the ongoing strike to resume their academic activities.

According to Osodeke, "we will punish those who have pulled out from our ongoing strike the appropriate way.

“We will query them and we will follow it up the appropriate way. We have even queried some of them in accordance with the union."

Osodeke also noted that since the last tripartite plus meeting called by the Chief of Staff to the President on the ongoing industrial action over a month ago, there had been no other meeting.

He said that there was nothing concrete that came out of the last meeting held at the presidential villa.

“We have not been called for any other meeting since that time and government did not offer us anything, they just ask us to meet with the committee, that was all,’’ Osodeke said.

He also said the union would be meeting with government within the week. 

Culled from Vanguard