News from Otukpo in Benue State, Nigeria states that Senate President David Mark has made passionate appeal to religious leaders that they should intervene in the ongoing impasse between federal government and members of Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).

Senator Mark made this statement at the second plenary session of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) which was held yesterday. He lamented the plight of the students who have been deprived of stable academic calendar since the begining of the strike.

“The culture of confrontation and conflict does not build harmony between and among people, therefore, we must always seek the culture of dialogue, reconciliation and forgiveness. We have a duty to work hard to overcome all barriers to peace.” Mark said.

Furthermore, Senator Mark urged that spiritual intervention is needed in order to end the ongoing strike action. He frowned at provocative utterances by some highly placed people which, according to him, are capable of heating up the polity. The Senate President said such utterances must be curtailed.

Also at the occasion, Governor Gabriel Suswam of Benue State urged the church to corporate with government in fast-tracking development and stability in the country. Suswam urged the bishops to use the session to appeal to ASUU that they should agree with the federal government in giving peace a chance and return students to school.

Archbishop Ignatius Kaigama, the Catholic Archbishop of Jos Archdiocese, who is the President of Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) urged Christians to be loyal to biblical teachings. The clergy called for interior purifications among Nigerians adding that with renewed commitment to the task of teaching and sanctifying, Nigeria will overcome her travails.