Sultan Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar has strongly advised stakeholders in Nigerian academic society to, in no circumstances see strike as an option to resort to.
The Sultan, who gave the advice while speaking as Chancellor of Nigeria’s premier University of Ibadan on Thursday, said that there must be ways of resolving issues in the academic sector without any union of staff resorting to strike.
While personally acknowledging the 96-year-old old student of the university, Prof. Adetoun Ogunseye during the 74th Founder’s Day and Convocation of the University, Sultan also attributed the low turnout and lack of adequate preparation for the foundation day and convocation ceremony to the strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).
He bemoaned that the ASUU strike affected this year’s ceremonies to the extent of no provision for honourary doctorate degrees that are usually done in recognition of distinguished contributors of progress to the nation, especially in the area of education.
The Chancellor thanked God that the ASUU strike was over but disagreed with views in certain quarters that Nigerian university system is one of the worst in the world.
“No, ours is not the worst situation. If it is, how come products of Nigerian universities go abroad and are doing well there?
“They are doing well abroad because the universities in Nigeria are doing great.
“We must be able to resolve our problems without going on strike,” the Sultan said.
The Sultan was accompanied to the ceremony by Ooni of Ife represented, Alara of Ilara Kingdom, Lagos, Oba Olufolarin Ogunsanwo, Deji of Akure, Oba Aladetoyinbo Ogunlade Aladelusi, Atayero of Aramoko, Oba Adesegun Aderemi JP, Elemuren of Emuren, Ogun State, Oba Adesegun Bolaji Alowonle, Olubosin of Ifetedo Kingdom, Osun State, Oba Akinola Oyetade Akinrera, President Muslim Ummah of South West (MUSWEN), Alhaji Rasaki Oladejo, Executive Secretary MUSWEN, Prof. Muslim Yahaya, Chief Imam of Challenge Muslim Community, Ibadan, Sheikh Musa Najimdeen Al-Murshid, President, Muslim Media Practitioner of Nigeria (MMPN), Alhaji Abdul-Rahman Balogun, among others.
Prof Abubakar Rasheed, Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission (NUC), represented the Visitor and President Muhammadu Buhari, while Governor of Oyo State, Engr. Seyi Makinde, the Registrar/Chief Executive of Joint Admissions and Matriculations Board (JAMB), Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, Pro-Chancellor, UI, Chief Odigie-Oyegun, and vice chancellors from various universities also graced the occasion.
Particular announcement of a 1948 admitted student, who is now 96 years old, Prof. Adetoun Ogunseye, drew the interest of the Sultan Abubakar, who quickly walked down from his high seat to personally acknowledge the presence of the old student of he leads as Chancellor.
