ASUU strike: Its tragedy would be worse than Boko Haram – Cleric warns

General Overseer, Hour of Mercy Ministries, Prophet Moses Kasali, has appealed to the Federal Government to look into the protracted industrial action by the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, in order to forestall disaster that may be of worse effect than the Boko Haram menace.

Kasali, said that the nearly four-months strike by the Academic Union would have negative effects on the Nigerian youth.

The cleric said, “The Federal Government should be alive to its responsibility by averting the crisis besetting university education. Prolonged strike can provoke worse tragedy than Boko Haram in our country.

“A nation without focus in the area of education will be backward. The youth, who are the leaders of tomorrow, will be faced with problems.

“On the ongoing ASUU strike, I weep for Nigeria. We are in a country where the children of the affluent and those in government attend private universities and we claim to have a government. It is profitable not to make a promise than failing to fulfil promises.”

He bemoaned the state of schools in the country.

He said, “If those at the helm of affairs say there is no money, where then should the money come from? Our universities are like dungeons with sparse facilities. If we can’t vouch for the quality of education in our universities what future does the country have? The wheel of progress of the country is grounding to a halt.

“We are really hurting our youth by mortgaging their future. They are like wounded lions that may turn around and fight back. We are pleading with President Goodluck Jonathan to live up to his bidding by heeding the demands of ASUU; not necessarily because of the university teachers but because of the future of the country.”