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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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