…As NANS flays disruption of academic calendar
The National Executive Committee of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has ended its two-day meeting at the University of Lagos, Akoka, with a final decision to proceed on an indefinite strike.
The strike takes effect from Monday, February 14, 2022.
ASUU President, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, said on Sunday, that the strike is against their wish, but they have to put the interest of the union first.
He said: ”I announce to you with a heavy heart the commencement of a nationwide strike starting from 14th February till our needs are met.”
The union had expressed grievances over the failure of the Federal Government to fulfill some of the agreements it made as far back as 2009. ASUU had on November 15, 2021 given the Federal government a three-week ultimatum over the failure to meet the demands.
The lecturers threatened to embark on another round of industrial action following the alleged “government’s unfaithfulness” in the implementation of the Memorandum of Action it signed with the union, leading to the suspension of the 2020 strike action.
After the union’s National Executive Council meeting at the University of Abuja on November 13 and 14, ASUU President, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, lamented that despite meeting with the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige, on October 14, 2021, on issues, including funding for revitalisation of public universities, earned academic allowances, University Transparency Accountability Solution, promotion arrears, renegotiation of 2009 ASUU-FGN agreement, and the inconsistencies in Integrated Payroll and Personnel information system payment, none of its demands had been met.
Meanwhile, the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has tasked the Federal government to ensure that the looming strike by the ASUU is averted at all cost.
The students’ body, nonetheless, enjoined the ASUU to also cooperate with the Federal government to seek some compromise rather than declaring another industrial action.
Coordinator, NANS South-West, Mr. Adegboye Olatunji, made this appeal through a statement at the weekend.
Adegboye said the appeal became expedient bearing in mind the adverse effects of another industrial action especially that it made a mockery of the nation’s education system.
In particular, NANS urged President Muhammadu Buhari to show a desire to address the various challenges bedeviling tertiary education in the country by implementing the Memoranda of Understanding it reached with the ASUU.
He said: “Presently, another Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) indefinite strike is staring us in the eye while the bitter taste of 2020 strike is still in our mouth.
“It is critical that President Muhammadu Buhari quickly work and walk the talk over education.
“President Buhari should demonstrate competence and proactiveness by solving the educational quagmire of the country. This can be achieved through the absolute implementation of the already signed MoU.
“Most importantly, the imminent ASUU strike must be averted at all cost while a more sustainable solution be proffered, analysed, adopted and implemented speedily by the presidency.
“This is expedient in order not to make mockery of our entire educational system.
“We also call on the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to cooperate with the Federal Government to find a more suitable resolution other than another industrial action.
“This should be keenly considered as another national academic shutdown will neutralize many of the sacrifices and efforts of our dear lecturers.”