By Olivia Obijiaku
While delivering his address at the 44th Convocation Ceremony of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria held at the institution’s Mamman Kontagora Square, on Saturday, January 25, 2025, the Chancellor of the University and Obi of Onitsha, His Majesty, Igwe Prof. Nnaemeka Alfred Ugochukwu Achebe called on the Federal Government of Nigeria to find a lasting solution to the strike actions that have been disrupting academic activities in the nation’s universities.
The chancellor who lauded the central government and its agencies on higher education for what they have been able to achieve with scarce resources, expressed hope that the Renegotiation Committee on the 2009 Agreements between major stakeholders may come up with workable measures that would end the ugly trend for good.
He said, “I wish to salute the Federal Government as well as its agencies like the National Universities Commission (NUC), the Tertiary Education Fund (TETFund) and the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) for their support for the development of tertiary education in spite of limited resources.”
“In this regard, let me draw attention, yet again, to the incessant and disruptive strikes in our universities over the past several years. Strikes are enormously costly to the nation, and threaten sustainable planning and development. Strikes are avoidable if all stakeholders would work sincerely and collaboratively to find lasting solutions to the funding of tertiary institutions, which is at the crux of these strikes.”
“In this regard, I sincerely hope that the Renegotiation Committee on the 2009 Agreements between the Federal Government and university-based unions under the chairmanship of our able Chairman of Council will come up with implementable agreements that will end incessant strikes in our universities.”
Commending the Vice Chancellor, Prof Kabiru Bala and his leadership team, and all those who nurtured the graduands, Igwe Achebe congratulated the awardees, their parents and guardians, charging the honorees to make the best of the knowledge they have acquired in the University.
He told them that, “I should impress on you that your high-quality education at ABU must not be taken for granted. Indeed, it is a singular privilege, considering the large number of applicants that fail to gain admission every year, due to institutional constraints. You are a product of the highest standards for which your university is well known. I urge you to uphold those standards and be shining examples to those around you.”
“For many of you, today marks the completion of your academic sojourn in the University and the commencement of a new chapter in life full of challenges, but also even greater opportunities. Therefore, I would like to admonish you to think creatively in confronting the challenges that will definitely come your way, as well as leverage on the innumerable opportunities that abound in this country for your personal advancement. Economic planners are forecasting that, while demand will sustain for salaried jobs, opportunities for self-employment are expected to grow phenomenally. I urge you to always be mindful of how you can manage your life.”
