THE National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has commenced inspection of facilities in some of the universities in the country, just as it called on the striking members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to return to class.
The visit, which will take the members of the association to both private and public universities in the country, is to enable the students to have basis for comparison and agitate for better welfare for the students.
Speaking after inspection facilities at the Elizade University, Ilara Mokin, Ondo State, the leader of the South-West Facility Tour Team, Gbenga Ayenuro, however, commended the authorities of the university for the facilities put in place in the university.
Ayenuro, who is also the association’s financial secretary, pleaded with the two sides to the industrial action by the university lecturers to shift ground on their demands in the interest of the Nigerian students.
He said the striking lecturers should accept the offers of the Federal Government and allow the students to return to classes in earnest.
He said: “From the need assessment committee, all ASUU demands have been resolved except one, which is the issue of earned allowances put at N87 billion.”
“Currently, from a reliable source and media reports, the Federal Government has approved and disbursed N100 billion for university funding and N30 billion for the earned allowances. At this point, we urge ASUU to shift ground for the sake of Nigerian students and return to classrooms, while deliberations will continue.
“On the earned allowance, we also appeal to the Federal Government to reconsider ASUU’s earned claims on the earned allowances.
“NANS is still dutifully committed to protecting the welfare of Nigerian students without compromise, as spirited efforts have been made by the association under the able leadership of Comrade Yinka Gbadebo to ensure that our teachers return to classrooms, which is the prime interest of the students,” he said.
