The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) yesterday tasked the federal government on the need to make provision for the needs of the people, with a view to cushioning their hardship which is occasioned by the lockdown to curtail the spread of COVID-19 nationwide.
ASUU national president, Prof. Biodun Ogunyemi, spoke at the Gombe State University, during the presentation of 80 cartons of hand sanitisers, 15 cartons of liquid soap and 6,000 pieces of educational materials (Hausa and Education), by the branch chairman, Federal University, Kashere, Prof. Sani Saidu, to Gombe State Taskforce on COVID-19, religious bodies; Jama’atu Nasir-Islam, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and the university community.
Ogunyemi, who was represented by Saidu, said: “We wish to advise the federal government that the emerging lockdown of the country may not achieve its desired results of promoting ‘self-isolation and social distancing’ if the existential needs of the masses are not met.
“Access to electricity and running water and unbroken chain of food supply and availability of other essential items are key components of the policy called ‘lockdown’.