A statement issued by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, quoted Buhari as saying,“We hope that ASUU will sympathise with the people on the prolonged strike.
“Truly, enough is enough for keeping students at home. Don’t hurt the next generation for goodness sake.”
The President urged all well-meaning Nigerians, especially those close to the association’s leaders and members, to take action to convince the academics to change their minds about their stance and the potential consequences for the nation and an entire generation.
He claimed that university students from Nigeria will have to compete with others in a highly linked and technologically advanced workplace, and that keeping them at home will simply rob them of the time, chances, and skills necessary to be relevant on the international arena.
According to him, “Colonial type education was geared towards producing workers in government. Those jobs are no longer there.
“Our young people should get education to prepare them for self-employment. Now education is for the sake of education.
“Through technology we are much more efficient. We should encourage our children to get education, not only to look for government jobs.”
Instead of growing the bureaucracy to create jobs, President Buhari stated resources should be directed more on developing the infrastructure and running the health and educational sectors.
“By this time next year, I would have made the most out of the two terms, and the remaining months I will do my best,” the President noted.
“If you are greedy, you won’t look around to see what is happening with those who are less endowed,’’ he said.
“The observation that I abandoned my base was made by the Emir of Daura, Dr Faruk Umar Faruk, at the eid prayer ground.
“He held the microphone and told everyone that the last time I was in Daura was during the Eid-el-Kabir of 2021,” he added.
President Buhari said he would retire to Daura, not Kaduna, where he had a better house.
“In 10 to 11 months time, I will come here. I have a better house in Kaduna, but it is too close to Abuja,’’ he said.
The President cited the busy work schedule and expressed sympathy for Geoffrey Onyema, the minister of foreign affairs, who had to spend most of his time away from his family.
He asked the APC’s core members to continue working for the benefit of the nation and its citizens, stressing that,
“We are a lucky people, and we need to reflect more on where we are coming from.”
According to the President, the government had accomplished a lot in many areas, particularly in infrastructure, given the resources at its disposal and in comparison to the previous administration.
“I wish the person who is coming after me the very best,” he said.
The North West had presented more security concerns, according to the President, while some progress had been made in the North East and South South.
Some South South natives were told by President Buhari to avoid harming national assets because doing so also affects their livelihood.
“I am eager to go. I can tell you it has been tough. I am grateful to God that people appreciate the personal sacrifices we have been making,” he added.
APC Governors at the lunch with the President; Katsina State, Rt Hon. Aminu Bello Masari, Kaduna State, Malam Nasir el-Rufai, Imo State, Hope Uzodinma, Nasarawa State, Abdullahi Sule, Niger State, Abubakar Sani Bello, Kano State, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, Ekiti State, Dr Fayemi Kayode, Plateau State, Simon Lalong and Kebbi State, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu.
