The management of Kaduna State University (KASU) has appealed to the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), KASU branch, to suspend its ongoing warning strike in the interest of students and allow ongoing discussions over the union’s grievances to continue.

The Vice-Chancellor of the university, Professor Abdullahi Ibrahim Musa, made the appeal in a statement issued on Friday, saying the management understood the concerns of the academic staff as well as the anxiety being experienced by students and their parents.

Musa said prolonged disruption of academic activities would have consequences for students, many of whom had travelled from different parts of Kaduna State and other parts of the country to pursue their education at KASU.

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“We acknowledge the concerns that have been raised by our academic staff, just as we understand the anxiety of our students and parents who naturally want to see a quick resolution and a return to normal academic activities.

“At the same time, we have a responsibility to our students, many of whom have travelled from different parts of Kaduna State and across Nigeria to pursue their education at KASU. Every interruption to the academic calendar affects their studies, their families and their plans for the future.”

The Vice-Chancellor urged ASUU-KASU to give the ongoing dialogue an opportunity to resolve the outstanding issues and reconsider its decision to continue with the warning strike.

He said the appeal was particularly important in view of steps already being taken by the Kaduna State Government to address the issues raised by the union.

Musa also acknowledged the intervention of the Visitor to the university and Governor of Kaduna State, Senator Uba Sani, saying the governor’s administration had continued to engage with issues affecting the institution.

“Management wishes to acknowledge the intervention of the Visitor to Kaduna State University and Governor of Kaduna State, His Excellency, Senator Uba Sani, CON. His administration has continued to engage with the concerns affecting the University and has taken practical steps towards finding solutions.”

According to him, the state government had constituted a nine-member committee, chaired by the Commissioner for Education, Professor Abubakar Sani Sambo, to examine the issues raised by the union and make appropriate recommendations within one month.

The Vice-Chancellor said the university management appreciated the intervention and the governor’s willingness to keep the channels of dialogue open.

“We believe this presents a genuine opportunity for Government, the University and the unions to work through the outstanding matters in a structured and constructive manner.”

He assured that the university management would continue to engage the government and the unions while prioritising the welfare of staff and students.

“To our students and parents, we understand the uncertainty and concern that disruption to academic activities creates. Management assures you that every reasonable effort is being made to achieve an early resolution and ensure the restoration of normal academic activities.”