The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Mohammad Abubakar, has expressed his concern over the repeated strikes by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) that have brought many setbacks to the university system and the students in Nigeria.
The monarch, who was awarded a Doctor of Law (Honoris Causa) degree during the 27th convocation of Modibbo Adama University in Girei, near Yola, alongside Alhaji Muhammad Indimi, former governor of Adamawa State, Mr Boni Haruna, and Alhaji Dahiru Bobbo, called on both ASUU and the Federal Government to end all future strikes and work towards resolving any issues amicably.
In his speech during the convocation ceremony, the Sultan expressed his gratitude to the university for the award and urged both parties to come to a mutual agreement to put an end to the incessant strikes.
The ceremony also saw several other graduates of the institution awarded degrees in various categories. 63 students were conferred with first-class degrees, 1,069 students received second-class upper degrees, 1,783 received second-class lower degrees while 552 students were awarded third-class degrees. Additionally, 40 students received a pass, 72 received a postgraduate diploma, 480 were awarded master’s degrees, and 80 students earned a doctor of philosophy degree.
The Sultan’s call for unity between the Federal Government and ASUU is timely and necessary, as it will help restore the educational system’s integrity while mitigating the impact of prolonged strikes on students’ academic performances. It is hoped that both parties can come together and reach a resolution that will enable the nation’s tertiary institutions to run smoothly and uninterrupted.
