The Federal Capital Territory Baptist Conference has described as unacceptable the unending strike of the Academic Staff Union of Universities urging the federal government and the union to reach a truce.
The conference made the call after its 5th annual session which held at the National Ecumenical Centre, Abuja over the weekend.
The plea was contained in a statement on November 16 signed by the Public Relations Officer of the Conference, Rev Adebayo Oladeji with a communique signed by its President, Rev Dr. Israel Akanji, and the Chairman, Rev Dr. Idowu Akintola.
The church said the ongoing closure of the universities is unacceptable and unjustifiable. “We note with dismay and concern the frequent and over-prolonged ASUU strikes which have caused untold hardship to the students, their parents, and the lecturers in the Nigerian public universities.
“The FCT Baptist Conference hereby calls on the Federal government and the leadership of ASUU to resolve the issue amicably in the interest of our children whose future is being wasted as a result of the strike. The ongoing closure of our universities is unacceptable and unjustifiable,” said the conference.
The Conference also pleaded with the government to address all the demands made by the youths in the recent #EndSARS nation-wide protests so as to forestall a reoccurrence.
The statement reads, “We noted the pertinent issues raised by the Nigerian youths during the #EndSARS protests against police brutality, deteriorating security and socio-economic conditions of the country.
“While we commend the government on the preliminary steps taken so far to address some of the issues, it is our hope that the outstanding issues would be promptly pursued to a logical conclusion. This will prevent future reoccurrence and the consequences.”
Other issues raised in the communique include the following:
“We commend the Nigerian Baptist Convention (NBC) for encouraging its various churches, organisations, and members to donate palliatives to cushion the effect of the lockdown during the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“That the experience of COVID-19 has presented the Church an opportunity to go digital. It is therefore resolved that churches should further develop the necessary capability in response to possible future reoccurrence.
“We call on the Nigerian Baptist Convention to show interest in the ongoing national discourse on the controversial Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) (2020 as amended) and also to make known its position to the government on the law. As a Conference, we call on the Federal government to suspend the aspect that puts the Church under its control. It is totally unacceptable.
It was also resolved that all members should pray fervently for the successful election of a new President for the Nigerian Baptist Convention as the incumbent, Rev Dr. Samson Ayokunle is rotating out after a glorious 10 years of two terms tenure of office.
