By Myke Uzendu, Abuja
A leading contender for the Presidential ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa, has volunteered to settle the industrial unrest between the federal government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).
Ohuabunwa, a one time chairman of the Nigeria Economic Summit Group (NESG), made the offer in a statement in Abuja at the weekend.
He frowned at the continued industrial action by the university lecturers and the near indifferent attitude shown by the relevant government officials in the unfortunate situation.
He said that he can bring his experience as former President of the Nigeria Employers Consultative Association (NECA) to bear in bringing the contentious issues to an end.
“I have the skills” he said, “required to bring the strike action to an end and I am ready to wade into the industrial feud between the federal government and ASUU”.
The Presidential Aspirant expressed deep surprise that government could feel comfortable and the ruling party going about to campaign while the universities are under lock and key.
Ohuabunwa warned that the continued strike action posed a great danger to the society as the students may be lured into crime and other dangerous vices while the industrial action by ASUU lasts.
“The continued strike action by the universities posed a great danger to the society as the students who have been out academic activities may be lured into crime and other dangerous vices.
“The nation is still battling to overcome the menace of cybercrimes, rising cases of prostitution, drug abuse and their concomitant effects on the security situation in the country. The nation cannot afford to add fuel to a smouldering fire by feigning indifference to the continued strike action by the university lecturers”, Ohuabunwa further stated” Ohuabunwa stated.
He thereafter revealed his readiness to mediate between ASUU and the federal government in order to bring to an end the industrial action by the university lecturers.
According to Ohuabunwa, he will bring to bear, his negotiating skills as a former chief executive officer of a large conglomerate in the pharmaceutical industry, former Presidents of Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) and NECA to negotiate and bring the strike action to an end.
