Contrary to optimistic reports that it might soon come to an end, the
management of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has said
that the academic strike, which it embarked on 89 days ago, will
continue.
This latest update on the strike, which has crippled academic
activities in universities across the country, was given in a statement
yesterday by the chairman of the University of Lagos (UNILAG) chapter
of the body, Karo Ogbinika.
This is in spite of the intervention by Vice President Namadi Sambo in bringing the lecturers back to the negotiation table.
Dr. Ogbinika reportedly
said that ASUU pulled out of negotiations with the Federal Government,
which was represented by Benue State Governor Gabriel Suswam, last month
based on the government’s insincerity and non-commitment.
He said the Presidency intervened, calling for another round of
meetings with Vice President Namadi Sambo last week which, according to
ASUU, also ended in a stalemate.
The teachers are seeking proper funding of education and the payment of their N87 billion earned allowances.
These are part of the 2009 agreement
between the teachers and the government. The government has offered N30
billion for the earned allowances and made available N100billion for
projects on the campuses. The lecturers rejected the offer. The strike
has been on since July 1.
The union said it was disappointed
because it hoped the Presidency’s intervention would dampen the tension
the strike had generated; but, rather, the government was re-echoing the
same stance by Suswam, which was why ASUU withdrew from the
negotiation.
ASUU said: “After the meeting on
September 19 with the Vice-President, it is clear that the Federal
Government is merely paying lip service to education in Nigeria and
deceiving the public on its commitment to its transformation agenda.
“The Nigerian people should not be
deceived. How can there be a meaningful transformation when the
education sector is neglected and gradually taken over by private
entrepreneurs, including government functionaries who are busy building
private universities with stolen funds in and outside Nigeria. Can these
universities be truly called private?
“ASUU is assuring Nigerians that it will
not back out in its struggle to ensure that the government is made to
do what is right in the education sector. This is a commitment that all
members of the union have vowed to pursue to its logical conclusion.”
The union said it had reported back to its various zones many of which still insisted the strike must continue.”
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