OF CHARLATANS AND AN INEPT LEADERSHIP .. WHO GIVES A DAMN? : ASUU strike: NSCDC begins 7-day fasting, prayers ... VanguardNews: YEYE DE SMELL

Abuja – The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) on Thursday began seven days fasting and prayer for an end to the lingering Academic Staff of Union of Nigerian Universities (ASUU) strike. This is contained in a statement issued in Abuja and signed by the Public Relations Officer of the corps, Mr Emmanuel Okeh. The statement said that Dr Ade Abolurin, the Commandant General of the corps, directed the officers and personnel of the corps nationwide, to embark on the exercise. It said the corps embarked on the exercise to seek God’s intervention following the deadlock in the talks between the Federal Government and the striking university teachers aimed at resolving the issue.“Worried by the ongoing strike embarked upon by the ASUU, which has resulted in the shutdown of universities since July this year, NSCDC Commandant General has organised a special prayer for the nation.“ The CG has declared seven days fasting and prayers nationwide to seek an ultimate solution to the problem,’’ it said. The statement said the move was borne out of the desire by Nigerians to see an end to the strike. It quoted Abolurin, as noting that the inability of stakeholders to come to an agreement in resolving the four months old strike was an indication that divine intervention was the only solution to the problem.“While lauding the effort of the government and its unwavering commitment to end the impasse, Abolurin said the nation should not underestimate the power of prayers at critical moments.“We should not be ignorant of the devices of the devil whose mission is to steal, kill and destroy; but through prayer and fasting, the glory of this nation shall be sustained and the much needed success achieved,’’ the statement said. It said that stakeholders, including parents, guardians, government officials, the striking teachers, students, religious leaders and opinion leaders should pray for an end to the problem. The statement said that the continuous stay of students at home had made them vulnerable to negative vices which “portend danger to the future leaders’’.It also appealed to the National Union of Teacher (NUT) to rescind its decision to embark on a sympathy strike, saying that this would further plunge the education sector into an unnecessary and avoidable catastrophe. (NAN).