COVID-19: CONUA Charges Nigerians To Adhere Strictly To Precautionary Measures

The Congress of University Academics (CONUA) members nationwide on Monday charged Nigerians to adhere strictly to all precautionary measures to contain the spread of COVID-19 in the Country.

The Congress of University Academics also enjoined the Federal, State and Local Governments to collaborate in enhancing sensitisation, enforcement, provision of necessary facilities and the empowerment of citizens to combat the corona virus pandemic.

In a statement jointly signed by
Niyi Sunmonu, the National Coordinator and Dr. Ernest Nwoke, National Publicity Secretary, which was made available to CityMirrorNews in Osogbo acknowledged that this is the time when Nigerian academics should be working on overdrive to find solutions to the problems of Covid-19 or at least reduce its virulence.

According to him “CONUA regards it as utterly insensitive, irresponsible and a betrayal of national trust for any academic union to go on strike at this time, especially when another union (NMA), that had been on strike called off the strike in order to respond to the dreadful corona virus disease. ASUU’s strike will aggravate the country’s problems and deepen national anxiety”.

However the CONUA strongly dissociates itself from the decision of the ASUU to embark on a nationwide strike in these national and global trying times.

The Union further directed all its members across universities in Nigeria to remain steadfast in supporting all efforts of governments, institutions, non-governmental organisations, and individuals to combat the menace of COVID-19.

The Union equally asked Members of the public to the be educated and encouraged to adhere strictly to the viral disease preventive health care instructions such as regular washing of hands, use of hand sanitizers and maintenance of social distance.

It further restated for the umpteenth time that they are not members of ASUU. Hence, ASUU’s claim of speaking for all members of academics in Nigerian Universities is totally incorrect.

CONUA therefore dissociated itself from activities of ASUU, particularly the current declaration of a nationwide strike in this critical period of national and global emergency.