President Muhammadu Buhari commenced the week under review with a promise that the Federal Government would honour promises made to the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU)
This the President said, was to prevent disruptive strikes, engender uninterrupted academic programmes and improve funding of education institutions.
The President made the pledge on Feb. 1, when he received members of the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC) led by the Co-Chairs, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, and the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Rev. Samson Ayokunle.
ASUU, on Friday, expressed doubts over the ability of the Federal Government to resolve the lingering crisis in the education sector, particularly the universities, threatening that the union might soon commence an indefinite strike.
However, the President stated that no society which wished itself well neglected its educational system and all its component parts.
He, therefore, commended the leadership of NIREC for intervening in the year-long strike by ASUU and holding consultations with the parties.
Buhari had earlier hosted the 2022 Committee of Business, Political, Media and Civil Society Leaders to a dinner at the State House, Abuja, on Monday.
At the event, the president pledged his commitment to hand over a strong repositioned agriculture-led, diversified home-grown economy, stable democracy and revamped armed and security forces to the next administration.
On Feb. 2, the Nigerian leader congratulated President Umaro Sissoco Embalo of Guinea-Bissau for surviving Tuesday’s coup attempt in his country.
The President also inaugurated the Presidential Committee on the Repatriation, Return and Resettlement of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the North-East,on Feb. 2.
According to him, Nigerians in the North East will, in the coming months, witness a change from the protracted insurgency to peace and development in their respective communities.
He explained that the administration had embarked on a revised approach to address the 13-year conflict and insurgency in the region and would not relent in efforts toward a return to peace and normalcy.
Also on Feb. 2, the President presided over the virtual meeting of the Federal Executive Council (FEC).
The council approved over N115.4 billion for the dualization of the Kano-Kazaure-Kongwalam road linking Kano, Jigawa and Katsina states.
According to the Minister of Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola, the project is expected to be completed in two years, and will be financed through the country’s tax credit scheme.
The President met behind closed doors with the former governor of Imo, Sen. Rochas Okorocha at the State House, Abuja, on Thursday.