Welcome, Guest: Register On Nairaland / LOGIN! / Trending / Recent / NewStats: 3,195,093 members, 7,957,092 topics. Date: Tuesday, 24 September 2024 at 07:02 AM |
Nairaland Forum / Nairaland / General / Education / Why ASUU Has Not Called Off The Strike –ASUU President Nasir Fagge (1744 Views)
ASUU Ready to Call-Off Strike Next Week - Fagge / ASUU President, Fagge And Okupe On ChannelsTV / Message From ASUU President (2) (3) (4)
Why ASUU Has Not Called Off The Strike –ASUU President Nasir Fagge by Larsody(m): 1:37pm On Dec 04, 2013 |
ASUU strike update: Why ASUU has not called off the strike - ASUU president Nasir Fagge - The ScoopNG - The ScoopNG http://www.thescoopng.com/ASUU-strike-update-why-ASUU-has-not-called-off-the-strike-ASUU-president-nasir-fagge/ |
Re: Why ASUU Has Not Called Off The Strike –ASUU President Nasir Fagge by Larsody(m): 1:47pm On Dec 04, 2013 |
I support ASUU stand on lingering strike. |
Re: Why ASUU Has Not Called Off The Strike –ASUU President Nasir Fagge by cumpaddre(m): 2:40pm On Dec 04, 2013 |
Larsody: I support ASUU stand on lingering strike.U are obviously not a student. Prolly a jamb customer. |
Re: Why ASUU Has Not Called Off The Strike –ASUU President Nasir Fagge by Larsody(m): 4:53pm On Dec 04, 2013 |
Hmmmmmmm! Jamb follower? Or what? |
Re: Why ASUU Has Not Called Off The Strike –ASUU President Nasir Fagge by Larsody(m): 5:11pm On Dec 04, 2013 |
by Nasir Fagge 1. Introduction On Monday 4th November, 2013, the leadership of our Union had a meeting with a government team led by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan. The meeting was necessary because all the previous government teams (separately led by the Minister of Education, Gov. Gabriel Suswam, the Minister of Labour and Productivity, Secretary to the Government of the Federation and by the Vice President) had failed to address the requests made by our Union ASUU to implement the 2009 Agreement in accordance with the 2012 Roadmap, and to commence the process of review of the said Agreement thereafter. Gentlemen of the Press, the benefits of implementing the 2009 Agreement have been articulated severally in a number of addresses I made. Suffice to restate again that the objectives of the 2009 Agreement are: i. To reverse the decay in the University System, in order to reposition it for greater responsibilities in national development; ii. To reverse the brain drain, not only by enhancing the remuneration of academic staff, but also by disengaging them from the encumbrances of a unified civil service wage structure; iii. To restore Nigerian Universities, through immediate, massive and sustained financial intervention; and, iv. To ensure genuine University autonomy and academic freedom. These objectives were made even more potent by the findings of Government Committee on the Needs Assessment of Nigerian Universities in 2012. The shocking findings of that Committee should make any serious government thoroughly ashamed of its colossal failings. At the end of the meeting with President Jonathan, a message was given by the government to the members of ASUU nationwide. Branches deliberated and debated on the message and gave their responses to the National leadership of the Union. These responses were articulated by the National Executive Council (NEC) of ASUU and sent to President Jonathan through the supervising Minister of Education. Gentlemen of the Press, since the issuance of the Union’s response to the said letter, the salvos that have been coming out, allegedly from the Minister of Education makes one to wonder whether the person that is charged with the responsibility of superintending over the Nigeria’s Education system has the wherewithal to handle such a vital national assignment. It is my intention this afternoon, therefore, to clear the air on the rumours, lies and mischiefs that are milling out of government circle (especially from Ministry of Education and National Universities Commission), all with the intent of misleading the Nigerian public. I will therefore speak to the letter from government and the yet-to-be- replied response of our Union. I will establish, to all discerning minds, that ASUU did not bring any ‘new conditions’ as claimed by the Minister of Education and the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Affairs, Mr Doyin Okupe. Rather, it is government that is trying to avoid taking responsibility. |
Re: Why ASUU Has Not Called Off The Strike –ASUU President Nasir Fagge by Larsody(m): 5:13pm On Dec 04, 2013 |
The Letter from Government to ASUU The letter from the Government was communicated by the Federal Ministry of Education, ref. FME/TE/SS.IM/C.I/1/99 and was titled “Resolutions reached at the meeting between Federal Government and Representatives of the Academic Staff Union of University (ASUU)” The content of that letter was not the judgment of a court: it was not, and could not be properly taken as conveying the words of a commander who must be obeyed. Government’s communication was as follows: 1. “That the Federal Government is irrevocably committed to the overall improvement in the quality of education especially at the tertiary level in the country. 2. That there is an overarching need to find a lasting solution to the challenges facing university education in the country through the development of sustainable, affordable and implementable strategies that are within the revenue profile of government. 3. Arising from the above understanding, it was further noted with particular emphasis on funding that: (a) Nigerian Universities must be revitalised for effective service delivery. (b) All the provisions in the extant agreement/MoU for the revitalisation of the University system shall be fully implemented as captured in the 2012 Needs Assessment Report. (c) Federal Government shall mobilise resources towards this goal. |
Re: Why ASUU Has Not Called Off The Strike –ASUU President Nasir Fagge by Larsody(m): 5:14pm On Dec 04, 2013 |
In view of the above understanding the following resolutions were reached: i. Federal Government shall provide funds for the revitalisation of the University system in the following manner in the next six years S/N0Year Amount(billion) Naria 1 2013 200 2 2014 220 3 2015 220 4 2016 220 5 2017 220 6 2018 220 Total6 years1.3 trillion ii. A dedicated revitalisation account shall be opened at the CBN by Federal Government. Funds shall be paid into [sic] on a quarterly basis from which the Universities will draw. Federal Government shall ensure that these funds will be ring-fenced. iii. That a central monitoring committee shall be established in addition to monitor the implementation of the revitalisation of the university and shall submit quarterly report to the Minister of Education. iv. Earned allowances: It was agreed that the Implementation Monitoring Committee (IMC) shall monitor and verify the level of payment already made from the 30 billion Naira released by Government and report back on the exact situations in the Universities on this matter. Federal Government undertakes to pay the outstanding balance after the verification report for the period 2009 to 2012. Furthermore a practicable and affordable strategy will be put in place to mainstream the payment of earned allowances in the University system. v. Government is willing to engage the services of the universities in special consultancy series such as geological/solid minerals survey, biotechnology, environmental impact assessment, shelter belt and mineral mapping amongst others to boost the IGR base of the Universities. vi. That FGN requests that ASUU shall within 7 days call off its four month strike action. vii. The above resolutions were reached in good faith by all the stakeholders that attended this crucial meeting.” In the ordinary meaning of the word “resolution” the government’s letter was not a resolution. The document was a report of Government’s understanding of the decisions or agreement reached on the matters discussed with ASUU. Neither side had a final authority on the correct wording or substance of the agreement reached. The title of Government’s letter “RESOLUTIONS REACHED AT THE MEETING BETWEEN FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ACADEMIC STAFF UNION OF UNIVERSITIES (ASUU) . . . showed quite clearly that there were two sides. The agreement between the two sides would be the legitimate resolution of any issue. Furthermore, representatives of both sides must sign the document of resolution to make it valid for both sides. This is why ASUU, in its reply to Government’s letter, insisted that ASUU and the Federal Government should sign the document of Resolutions. It is not an added new issue. It is a simple, required procedure, to be strengthened by some witness in whom both sides had confidence. This is not only reasonable but required in the resolution of conflicts. Whether the Minister of Education understands it or not is another matter which we shall not address here. |
Re: Why ASUU Has Not Called Off The Strike –ASUU President Nasir Fagge by Larsody(m): 5:35pm On Dec 04, 2013 |
The Reply of ASUU to Government’s Letter 1. The process leading to ASUU’s reply The letter from the Government, signed by Dr. Mac John Nwaobiala, was delivered at ASUU National Secretariat on 6th November, 2013. ASUU had made it clear to Government through the Minister of Education, and at the meetings held with Government’s representative, that our Union does not have an EXECUTIVE PRESIDENT who has the power to decide for the Union on crucial matters, including and especially on trade disputes and strikes. Similarly, the internal democracy of our Union does not permit the Principal Officers to make decisions on Union matters of trade disputes without advice from the National Executive Council. Allowing branches to meet, advise and take positions is the only way we know how to run a democratic organisation. 2. The content of ASUU’s reply Here is the relevant portion of ASUU’s reply to government’s letter, as contained in Union’s letter of 22nd November, 2013 signed by Nasir F. Isa, President of ASUU: “On behalf of NEC I hereby convey the Union’s appreciation of the expressed concern of Your Excellency to bring an end to the crisis occasioned by the poor implementation of the 2009 Agreement and the 2012 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) arising therefrom through your personal intervention. NEC would have taken a definitive decision on ending the strike, especially in view of Your Excellency’s intervention but for certain uncertainties, the clearance of which would have been decisive in making the relevant decision. These uncertainties involve issues on which ASUU members nationwide have strong feelings. They are about certain gaps evident in Government’s report as presented to our Union. Specifically, our members are requesting that Your Excellency facilitates the resolution of the issues as a way of concretising their understanding of the agreed positions. This will involve the following: (a) That the N200 billion agreed upon as 2013 Revitalisation Fund for public universities shall be deposited with the CBN and disbursed to the benefitting universities within two weeks. (b) That the renegotiation of the 2009 Agreement in 2014 be included in the final document as agreed at the discussion with Your Excellency. (c) That a Non-victimisation clause which is normally captured in all interactions of this nature be included in the final document and (d) That a new Memorandum of Understanding shall be validly endorsed, signed by a representative of government, preferably the Attorney General of the Federation and a representative of ASUU, with the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) as a witness. Your Excellency please be assured that the Union is willing to do all that is needful to resolve the lingering crisis as soon as the expressed observations of our members are addressed. Thank you Yours in the struggle Naisr F. Isa, Ph.D President” |
Re: Why ASUU Has Not Called Off The Strike –ASUU President Nasir Fagge by Larsody(m): 5:41pm On Dec 04, 2013 |
JUSTIFICATION OF ASUU’S REQUEST TO THE PRESIDENT 1. The request to disburse the N200 billion agreed in 2013 within two weeks If you look at the Government’s paper of 6 November, 2013, it states that the Federal Government shall provide N200billion in 2013. ASUU’s letter to the President does not change that agreement. The National Executive Committee (NEC) of ASUU’s position, conveyed to His Excellency Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan through the Minister of Education only said the following: “Our members are suggesting that “the N200 billion agreed upon as 2013 Revitalisation fund for public universities should be deposited in the CBN and disbursed to the benefitting universities within two weeks.” Upon any sincere stretch of interpretation, it would be unreasonable to suggest that this is a new demand. ASUU NEC’s position that the funds for revitalisation due to universities in 2013 should be released within the first two weeks of December 2013 is not a new demand. It is a sensible suggestion to guard against implementation failure. 2. The Renegotiation of the Agreement in 2014 There was an agreement at the interaction with the President of Nigeria that the Renegotiation of the ASUU/FGN Agreement of 2009 shall be undertaken in 2014. ASUU’s position that this shall be included in the “Resolutions” is a correct report of what actually transpired and was agreed upon, and should be reconsidered. This is important, especially in view of the fact that this agreement took place at the meeting with the President and was pointed out to staff of the Ministry of Education who were recording the agreements. ASUU’s asking the restoration of that agreement in government’s letter to the Union is not a new demand but only a demand to put the records right |
Re: Why ASUU Has Not Called Off The Strike –ASUU President Nasir Fagge by philfearon(m): 3:40am On Dec 05, 2013 |
Wow!Stalemate! |
Re: Why ASUU Has Not Called Off The Strike –ASUU President Nasir Fagge by Olugbenger(m): 9:39am On Dec 05, 2013 |
ASUU pls naah.... 1 Like |
(1) (Reply)
Top 5 Businesses Nigerian Students Can Operate In School / Bullying In Our Secondary Schools share Your Views! / What It Takes To Become A Moderator(mod) On Nairaland..
(Go Up)
Sections: politics (1) business autos (1) jobs (1) career education (1) romance computers phones travel sports fashion health religion celebs tv-movies music-radio literature webmasters programming techmarket Links: (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8) (9) (10) Nairaland - Copyright © 2005 - 2024 Oluwaseun Osewa. All rights reserved. See How To Advertise. 42 |