By Sunday Ogli, Makurdi
Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, Benue State University chapter, has called off its strike action.
The Union, in a statement signed by Comrades Kwaghfan Tarnongo and Terrumun Gajir, its chairman and secretary, respectively, said the call off is at the intervention of the state governor, Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia.
The statement stated in part: “Congress of the Academic Staff Union of Universities Benue State University (ASUU-BSU) Branch, Makurdi met on Tuesday, 12th March 2024.
“Congress was briefed on the efforts of the Benue State Government to resolve the crisis in the university which led to the Branch embarking on a strike action on the 1st February 2024.
“These efforts include a tripartite agreement between the Benue State Government, the Benue State University Administration and ASUU-BSU.
“The agreement addresses the issues that led to the strike and, for which, the state government assured the agreement will be fully implemented.
“Congress was also briefed on the personal intervention of the Visitor to the Benue State University and Executive Governor of Benue State, Rev. Fr. Dr Hyacinth Iormem Alia and his personal appeal and assurances that all the grievances of ASUU-BSU will be resolved as soon as the Branch suspends the strike action.
“The Congress therefore mandated the Branch Executive Committee to enter into the tripartite agreement.
“Thus, the Congress of ASUU-BSU resolved to suspend the strike action in deference to the intervention of the Visitor and Executive governor of Benue State.
“The Congress of ASUU-BSU firmly believes that the government under Governor Hyacinth Alia shall ensure that the agreement is implemented fully, expeditiously, and satisfactorily.
“In view of the foregoing, and following permission from ASUU National, ASUU-BSU wishes to inform the public that the strike it embarked upon on the 1st February 2024 has been suspended today, Wednesday 13 March 2024.
“ASUU-BSU wishes to sincerely thank the Governor for his kind intervention. The Branch, also, wishes to appreciate the SSG Engr. Professor Joseph Alakali, the Head of Civil Service, Dr. Moses Agbogbo Ode, and the Hon. Commissioners for Education, Finance and Justice, for working hard to ensure suspension of the strike. We, also, appreciate the Special Advisers on Labour and that of Cabinet Matters.
“Finally, ASUU-BSU appreciates the public, parents, guardians and our dear students who stood by us through the period of strike. The gains are for all, especially the development of our institution”, he added.
