TEKAN wades into ASUU strike, seek Fed Govt resolution

From Teryima Ajijah, Jos
The conglomerate of churches in Nigeria, also known in Hausa language as “Tarayyar Ekklesiyoyin Kristi a Nijeriya” (TEKAN) has appealed to the federal government and Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to resolve their differences which has lingered close to two academic sessions and re-open universities for academic activities.
General Secretary, TEKAN, Very Rev Moses Ebuga, made the appeal in a two page press release issued in Jos, Plateau State Monday, while advising the federal government to end the protracted ASUU Industrial action ongoing in the country.
The release read: “We will like to plead with the federal government and ASUU, to resolve the issues that lead to the strike, doing this will take the youth out of the street, thereby, reducing the tendencies of being involved in ungodly act.”
It went further to say, “should higher institutions be re-opened, particularly universities, most youths who are university students will be busy with their studies and may not be involved in dubious acts, including possible future protest.”
It expressed worries that kidnapping of TEKAN members, including her clerics, has remained unabated, in spite of the presence of security operatives at various flashpoint.
“We are experiencing an upsurge in killings and kidnapping of our members in various denominations that make up the TEKAN family, this are reflected in Borno, Kaduna, Nasarawa, Benue and Plateau states among others, where several members abducted including our clergies are still under captivity,” read the statement.
On the recent street protest by the EndSARS agitators, the TEKAN scribe expressed fears that innocent persons who fall prey to security operatives might be arrested and unlucky ones possibly killed.
“There is an eminent danger surrounding arbitrary arrests and extra-judicial killings alleged to be carried out by the Nigerian Police
and Army Force through various ‘special operations units,'” it stated.
It therefore, called on security agencies not to be harsh on suspects arrested as a result of the recent EndSARS protests across Nigeria.
“We are calling the various security agencies and the federal government to ensure their safe release, and
subsequent prosecution of the perpetrators of this evil act.”
It again appealed to government at all levels to be just, in implementation of its policies and programme for the well-being of citizens.
“We, therefore, call on the Federal and State Governments on the need for justice and equity. These two fundamental principles must be the hallmark of good governance and
foundation of our democracy,” the statement added.