President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua has appealed to striking university lecturers to return to classroom in the spirit of Ramadan.


The president also said that the striking lecturers can always pursue their claims without resorting to endless strikes that have over the years put the future of our children in jeopardy.


The Ramadan (Muslim fasting period) starts today following announcement by the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar and it’s to last for 30days.


President Yar’Adua also in his Ramadan message to the Muslim faithfuls charged Nigerians to support the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) efforts to entrench best corporate practices in the nation’s financial sector.


The president who is still in Saudi Arabia also enjoined clerics to help expose promoters of sects that distorts and corrupt the teachings of the Holy Prophet for nefarious ends.


President Yar’Adua also used the opportunity of the Ramadan to call on Niger Delta militants to embrace the government amnesty so as to engender development in the region.


“In the spirit of this glorious season, let me also appeal to our University lecturers to go back to the classrooms, certain they can always pursue their claims without resorting to endless strikes that have over the years put the future of our children in jeopardy.


“Similarly, the Administration wishes to assure all Nigerians and foreign investors that the ongoing exercise by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) is aimed at preventing bank failures with their attendant consequences on the national economy.


“Let me, however, reiterate the resolve of our Administration to continue to do whatever is necessary to guarantee the safety of deposits in Nigerian banks even as I urge all well-meaning Nigerians to support CBN efforts to entrench best corporate practices and better credit administration in the interest of our financial sector,” the president stated.


The president who reiterated his calls to militants in the Niger Delta to embrace the amnesty offer of the federal government stated that peace in the Niger Delta is on the front burner of this administration.


He further stated that without peace it is impossible to bring development to the region.


According to him, “By offering unconditional amnesty to the militants in the Niger Delta, the Administration has taken a very bold step to embrace all compatriots who genuinely desire peace, development and good governance. Indeed, it bears repeating that no development is possible without peace.


“I call on all the militants still in the creeks to take advantage of the amnesty and return to normal life. The Administration is committed to a successful implementation of the amnesty as a first step in our development agenda for the people of Niger Delta.”


Yar’Adua however painted a picture of success as he stated that from information reaching him the amnesty process is going on smoothly.


“Reports reaching me indicate that the amnesty process is continuing apace, with the appropriate environment provided by the Administration. There is no reason why any Nigerian should spend his/her life in the swamps and creeks of the Niger Delta, challenging Government, instead of contributing his/her quota to national development’’ he stated.


While sending his best wishes to Nigerians, particularly to Muslims whose faith requires them to observe the fasting period, the president stated “In this season, it behoves on all our Clerics not only to lead the Faithfuls on the path of righteousness but also to expose promoters of sects that distort and corrupt the teachings of the Holy Prophet for nefarious ends.


“This month should also be a period when all Nigerians must embrace love for one another, sacrifice for the overall growth and development of the nation, and cooperation with Government for the attainment of our national goals.”

He further noted that the month of “Ramadan is a time of sacrifice, a time when Muslims abstain from the physical pleasures of this life, and seek blessings from the Almighty through the study of the Holy Koran, the teachings of the Holy Prophet and sharing with neighbours and the needy.

He should give Deacon Gamaliel Onosode the mandate and power to negotiate for the Federal government then order him back to the negotiating table immediately.