Benue State governor, Samuel Ortom has appealed to industrial unions, especially the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), at the Benue State University, Makurdi to shelve its planned industrial action.
The governor, who spoke through the chief press secretary, Nathaniel Ikyur, congratulated the university for attaining 30 years saying, he was proud of the achievements the university has continued to record since its establishment.
But in a swift reaction, chairman, Benue State university Makurdi Academic Staff Union, Dr Victor Tarnongo, who spoke through a telephone conversation said, “we are not on strike but we made demands that our issue be taken care of.
“We got permission from our national body to embark on strike if the university administration does not attend to our demands.”
However, Governor Ortom reaffirmed the commitment of his administration to continue placing the university on first line charge, stressing that “the education of the Benue child must not be treated with levity.”
The governor said he was properly briefed on outstanding issues with the industrial unions at the university and the state government will continue to show sincere commitment to resolving all the issues for the growth of the institution.
“My appeal is that we find a middle ground on resolving issues and avoid the temptation of always embarking on strike,” the governor stated.
He lauded the management of the university under the leadership of its vice chancellor, Prof. Tor Iorapuu for steering the affairs of the institution, stating that “I am happy you have been able to manage the university without any major issues” and urged the management to sustain the tempo.
According to the governor, it was a deliberate approach to encourage the growth of the university that the state government approved that the institution take over the Makurdi Zoological Garden, JS Tarka Foundation as well as the Agriculture Development Corporation, ADC along Makurdi-Aliade road for academic research and other purposes.
