The Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Baptist Conference has called on the federal government and the leadership of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, to resolve their differences with a view to reopening the universities as soon as possible.
The Conference which comprises Baptist churches in the Federal Capital Territory and adjourning states where there is string geographical congruity made the call at the weekend at its just concluded 5th Annual Session held at the First Baptist Church, Garki and the National Christian Centre, Abuja.
According to a press statement issued on Monday by the Public Relations Officer of the Conference, Rev Adebayo Oladeji, the communique signed by its President , Rev Dr Israel Akanji and the Chairman, Rev Dr Idowu Akintola said the ongoing closure of the universities was 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 call 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 are unacceptable and unjustifiable,” the FCT Baptist Conference stated.
The Conference also urged the government to address all the demands made by the youths in the recent #EndSARS nationwide protests with a view to prevent a reoccurrence and the attendant problems in the nearest future.
The Conference said: “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 thus 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 a future reoccurrence and the consequences.”
The Conference stated further: “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 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.”
