By Mustapha Usman, Kano
The Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, on Monday suspended a scheduled media briefing at the end of its four-day National Executive Council Meeting in Bayero University, Kano.
The decision was as a result of the bomb blast in University of Maiduguri which killed a professor of veterinary medicine, Aliyu Mani, and two others in the early hours of Monday.
Addressing journalists at the proposed venue for the meeting on Monday, ASUU’s national president, Abiodun Ogunyemi, said the decision to call off the meeting was necessary.
Mr. Ogunyemi, a professor, said going ahead with the press conference would show the world that they were insensitive to the death of their member.
“This morning, we received a shocking story that one of ours, a professor, was among those killed in multiple explosions in the University of Maiduguri. Until this morning, we were all set for this briefing. It is really a sad story.”
“In the wake of this tragic event, we have decided to suspend this media briefing because if we go on with it, it shows that we are insensitive to the tragedy.
“Gentlemen of the press, it is at this juncture that I wish to inform you that following the bomb blast in UNIMAID, we hereby suspend the meeting. We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience and we appreciate your effort to answer our call. Thank you very much.
“On behalf of all the members of ASUU, we express our deepest condolences to the family of Professor Mani and the other innocent victims. May God rest their soul in eternal peace,” he added.
