As the ongoing ASUU strike enters day 121, the President of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, Dr. Nasir Fagge, has commended members of the union for their conduct since the strike began on July 1.
Fagge commended the efforts of ASUU principal leaders at ensuring that ‘there is no going back’ until their demands are met.
In a statement posted on the association’s website, he also described the Federal Government’s stance on the union’s demands as “no more than a repeat performance of a one-act-play: all the deceptions, propaganda, lies, mischief and such other Shenanigans.’’
The statement partly reads, “Dear comrades, as the struggle to save Nigerian University system is being pursued, I like to salute all our members for their resoluteness in ensuring that the 2009 ASUU/Government Agreement is implemented in accordance with the Roadmap defined by the 2012 MoU.
“We believe very strongly that the rot and decay in the university system cannot only be arrested but is also reversible. We believe even more strongly that the key to turning round the university system lies in the sincere implementation of the agreement.
“But our resolve to save the system and our country remains unwaivered. We will continue to carry the banner of this struggle to its logical conclusion. I urge all our members to maintain the spirit of camaraderie and remain firmly resolute in ensuring that our patriotic struggle succeeds. United we bargain, divided we beg!”
Meanwhile, the pioneer Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission, Prof. Jubril Aminu, has expressed optimism that the ongoing ASUU strike will soon be over.
Aminu said this in a speech he delivered at the ‘50+1 Anniversary Lecture’ of the commission held on Tuesday in Abuja. He noted that the FG was committed to the funding of the universities to ensure that students return to the campus.
The strike began after a series of warning strikes by the lecturers over the non-implementation of the 2009 FGN/ASUU agreement. Their demands, among others, are the rehabilitation and provision of infrastructure in the nation’s universities and the payment of earned allowances.
In a related development, the Chairman, Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics, ASUP, Chibuzo Asomugha, has said the union has yet to hear from the FG concerning the fresh industrial action which began on Friday, October 4, 2013, following the latter’s inability to resolve outstanding issues with the union.
