Orji Uzor Kalu, the senator for Abia North, has begged with the Federal Government to think about paying the remarkable teachers some months' worth of salary to prevent them and their homes from going hungry in response to a barrage of appeals from students and other educational practitioners.
Asked by reporters about the welfare of the Academic Staff Union of Universities strikers on Wednesday night, Kalu begged with both the federal government and ASUU to change their positions on the ongoing strike.
"Many students from my constituency have indeed been phoning me about the issue," said Kalu, "and I believe it is necessary for all Nigerians, including religious leaders, local leaders, and all of us to devote all our efforts into getting ASUU back to the office and saving their homes; some are dying of starvation."
He bemoaned the hardship of the academics, who have been without pay for almost five months, and pleaded earnestly with the federal government to "consider paying people some of their salary while discussion is still going."
The Senate Chief Whip, Kalu, emphasized that it is stated in both the Bible and the Koran that "anywhere and everywhere you plant, that's where the you harvest.
"Neither farms nor other enterprises exist there. They have no means of support.
In order to preserve the lives of the academics and their families, he urged all parties involved, including the federal government, to act swiftly.
Osom Ogwu 41 w
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