Campus Pavillion with Mary Onyeure:
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THE hope for the
re-opening of universities in the shortest possible time was dashed penultimate
Thursday after the Federal Government
constituted committee chaired by the Benue State Governor, Hon. Gabriel Suswan
in a meeting with the leadership of the Academic Staff Union of Universities,
ASUU, failed to agree on the contentious issues.
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There were expectations
that ASUU could call off the strike after the meeting as the National President
of the union Dr. Nasir Fagge had previously said that calling off the strike
was dependent upon what the Federal government would place on the table in
respect of the implementation of the 2009 agreement.
Speaking to
DigitalSENSE Business News on the outcome of the meeting, Dr. Fagge said, “Well it was inaugural
meeting, so naturally nothing much was achieved. It is just that the chairman
(Governor Gabriel Suswan) told us how he wants to carry out the assignment.
Recently the
National Association of Nigeria University Students (NANUS) distanced itself
from the ongoing dispute between tertiary unions and federal government.
The national
student body led by its National president, Peter Bassey Asuquo insisted that
the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) did not consult with the
students’ community before embarking on the indefinite strike.
“We are,
indeed, saddened to the highest pitch and peak that ASUU has unilaterally
decided to embark on yet another needless strike to drive home a point against
the federal government,” NANUS said.
“Our sore
point of grievance is anchored on the fact that the ongoing ASUU strike has
exerted an even greater negative toll on the university students more than any
other party in the impasse. It is our firm belief that other amicable avenues
could be adopted other than a strike to resolve the ASUU/FG standoff. It is,
therefore, our resolute demand that the
ongoing ASUU strike be called off forthwith,” the body said.
Penultimate
Wednesday The Federal Government has expressed admitted worry at the distortion
in school calendar as a result of the ongoing strike by the Academic Staff
Union of Universities saying that it is committed to the speedy resolution of
the crisis for the sake of Nigerian students.
Minister of
Information, Labaran Maku told state House correspondents at the end of Wednesday’s Federal Executive Council meeting
that government was committed to “serious negotiations” with the university
lecturers.
The Minister
appealed to the students and parents to bear with government and show more
understanding as efforts are being made to resolve the contending issues very
soon.
What is the
way forward?
Speaking with
some students at home expressed how they feel about the ongoing strike by ASUU
Adware
Adejuyigbe, a final year student of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife,
said the incessant strike by ASUU had
elongated his stay in the University. He said I am fed up with this
strike action of ASUU.
“Each time
they have a one or two issues to settle with the federal government, strike
action should not be the only option.
In a
democratic setting, there are many available means of expressing your
grievances other than total paralysis of the system at the expense of the
students.
“I believe
our lectures know that their job goes beyond normal service for payment, it is indeed a service to
humanity because education remains the light of the society”.
Johnson Agada
of Benue State University, also commented on the ongoing strike .
“Can’t these
people change their approach, it’s high time they know that strike is adversely
affecting the students not the government.,” he asked.
For Calvary
Joseph of Abuja University: “Student let our parent fight for our right today
4rm d federal government because it may be our turn 2morrow. Now we are
bitterly affect but don’t we think we would benefit from it tomorrow,” he said.
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