by Oge Okonkwo
The strike embarked upon by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) may be prolonged as the union has rejected the offer made by the Federal Government to re-negotiate their 2009 agreement.
The Chairman of UNN-ASUU, Dr. Ifeanyi Abada, made this known during a press briefing after the congress attended by some national and zonal officers.
He explained that the offer was rejected by the union because the government did not sign the agreement under duress.
PM News reports:
Dr Ifeanyi Abada said UNN-ASUU and other chapters of the union nationwide were determined to withdraw their services until the federal government implemented the agreement.
“ASUU cannot be cajoled by any unbridled campaign or blackmail as being paddled by some federal government’s officials.
“The union is worried by the insincerity of government and condemns this perfidy in its entirety’’, he said.
Abada said ASUU was also demanding the removal of Prof. Julius Okogie, the NUC Secretary, for fanning the embers of hatred against members of the union.
“Okogie, who is supposed to mediate between ASUU and government, had regrettably morphed into another political valve through which universities were further demeaned and derailed.
“Okogie should be invited by government to account for over N100 billion Universities Stabilisation Fund.
“He has demonstrated that he has outlived his usefulness and bereft of innovative ideas and aptitude to turn universities around’’, he said.
He called on education stakeholders, the clergy and traditional rulers to prevail on government to respect the 2009 agreement it entered with ASUU to improve standards in tertiary institutions.
“We are not asking for government to fill our pockets with money, but that universities should be well funded.
“It is unfortunate that students in some universities take lectures in open spaces and in stadiums like in UNN.
“We are tired of producing half-baked graduates because of ill-equipped libraries, laboratories and lack of classrooms, while some politicians squander money meant to develop the country’’, he said.
Former UNN-ASUU chairman, Prof. Aloysius Okolie, decried government’s inability to allocate 26 per cent of its annual budget to education
He explained that that was the minimum percentage as recommended by UNESCO.
“This is an indication that government does not care about the quality of education in the country.
“Government should consider the future of Nigerian students and fulfill its own part of agreement it reached with ASUU.
“It is noteworthy that war torn Somalia and other smaller countries of the world who value education allocate above 26 per cent to education’’, he said.
Dr Chide Osuagwu, Zonal Coordinator, ASUU Nsukka Zone, comprising UNN, UNiZIK, ESUT, Anambra State University and Ebony State University, said ASUU had exercised enough patience since 2009.
“ASUU will not attend any re-negotiating meeting called by government. If government had known it cannot implement the agreement, why did it sign it?’’
About 200 lecturers attended the UNN-ASUU congress, which lasted for several hours.
Wat is de way 4ward? By Rt (Hon) Okadigbo 1 Uniben.
2 me I only look @ it dat it takes undstndin
Both party shuld be able 2 seal de memo radium of undstndn knwin fully dat de centre can not hold wen der is no 2gtherness of two upper hands.
I therefore appeal 2 FG using her gud office 2 resolve 2 dis effect. Lukin @ dis all one will find out dat is not easy 4 both party including de student. Greatest 2 FG…….. Greatest 2 Nigeria Student.. I greet u all in de name of struggle…. I Remain Rt. (Hon) Okadigbo 1 Uniben
Hello pals, d issue concerning Asuu nd d FG is a great deal nd we ol student should just sit back and pray bcos in one way the Asuu are ryt bt nt @ dis vry point bcos our great country need only security than education, so I humbly request Asuu strike should just be called off for now
Kudos to ASUU.. Pls dnt relent on ur battle to mke sure Nigeria turns a country with objectives… God bless u all…
ASUU should have considered Fed.govt because fed.govt. have every right to ask 4 another renegotiation, because when the 2009 negotiation was made, the present govt. Was no where around the asso rock.
Suffice to say,since 2009 regime of fed.govt has long passed out,2009 fed.govt/ASUU negotiation should aswell pass away.
There should be a new negotiation that shall suit the present fed.govt administration.
Yet should fed.govt embark on a new negotiation, she should be very careful to construct a new one that would be appreciable.
asuu r b self centered n too greed . . akpan if u dnt ve anytin useful to say , shut dat ur dirt mouth. God is watching us asuu n fg . I just want one month to finish .
It's well with Nigeria! What a country with all sorts of unreasonable leaders.
ASUU’s cry for increase in budget allocation for education only appears genuine because they point to the fact that students are shortchanged. But the truth we cannot ignore is that even if Govt decides to allocate 50% of the budget to education, corruption will still divert the chunk of it into private pockets. There is no proper accountability for the so call meagre funding. Is it not true that he who is not faithful with that which is little will be unfaithful still with that which is much. Gone are the days when lecturers/teachers were sincere and had genuine interest in the welfare of students. What a pity!
I agree with u they are looking 4 official way 2 cyphon money.its only ALMIGHTY GOD dat wil save Nigeria 4rm corruption.
Let the university be shot down for two or three years, let the FG fund it to standard.
Asuu is selfish nd wicked, they should cal off d strike nd continue nxt yr.
Let’s stop criticizing ASUU… The FG should do something about their request! For pete’s sake it’s been four years since this agreement was signed! Haven’t they been patient enough? What in the world is keeping d FG from implementing it? Whether or not selfishness is involved, what ASUU is demanding for is not wrong and besides, the agreement wasn’t signed under duress. So, the FG should listen to them and do their own part of the deal
Asuu you ar wicked bcos ur children ar not in public skul, FG wil put dis issue in nxt yr budget while not cal off d strike nd wait 4 nxt yr.
Govt Ý
I so much belive that fg goverment as no respect to education in this great country of ours which have becomes something else, both I want the fg goverment should no that they may know the start of all this, but they may not know the end of all, fg goverment should not allow people to be angry at the same time it can be very dangerious to this country.
Ur vry ryt sir selfishness is involved
Dis lecturers r nt sincere enough if dey claim 2b fightin 4 students and poor research lab & infrustructure and at d end notin wil b ofa 2 students bt dia pocket.
ASUU is a selfish body as far as we NANS r concern.
Stop usin students as excuse please.
ASUU should not relenght Fø̲̣̣я̅ the good tthings they A̶̲̥̅̊я̲̣̥ε̲̣̣̣̥ doing t̶̲̥̅̊ợ̣̣̇̇̇ stabilize the education problems I̶̲̥̅̊n̶̲̥̅̊ nigerathey should do all their possible best t̶̲̥̅̊ợ̣̣̇̇̇ fight t̶̲̥̅̊ợ̣̣̇̇̇ finishwith out selfinterest
U’r praisin d wrong party mr. If at all ASUU is a sincere body we wuld hv bin far beyond dis stage, dey use students and poor funding as excuse bt at d end dey buy new cars, increase tution fee and harass students.
Ask ASUU wat is fightin 4.
Dis is nt fair on d part of FG buh ASUU shld also consider us d studnt our future is bin toild with