AS the strike embarked upon by the
Academic Staff Union of Universities
enters the fourth month, the union
has flayed alleged plans by the
Federal Government to forcefully
order the re-opening of the
universities today, saying this will
only complicate the situation.
Chairperson of the Uniport chapter of
ASUU, Professor Anthonia
Okerengwo, urged the Federal
Government to toe the path of honour
in its effort towards resolving the
lingering strike.
His University of Benin counterpart,
Dr Anthony Money-Emina, described
as laughable, reports that President
Goodluck Jonathan will order the
union members to go back to work
today.
Similarly, ASUU, University of Ibadan
chapter, through its Secretary, Dr
Ayodeji Omole, said such a report
would further dent the image of the
government as anti-democratic,
cautioning President Jonathan to
allow a sleeping dog lie by
implementing the 2009 ASUU/FGN
agreement which the Federal
Government had already signed.
ASUU vowed that it would not be
intimidated into going back to the
classroom, “unless our demands are
met by the Federal Government.”
ASUU Uniben said that the solution to
the current industrial action
embarked upon by members was for
the Federal Government to come up
with a clear agenda on how to
implement the 2009 agreement and
the Memorandum of Understanding,
MoU, entered with the union in 2012.
Describing as laughable, reports that
government will order the union
members to go back to work, ASUU
urged government to shun
“authoritarian approaches to
resolving issues in dispute with the
union.”
Money-Emina said, “The attention of
our union has been drawn to news
report in the media, alleging that the
President will direct the re-opening of
Nigerian universities with or without
ASUU from Monday.”
Professor Okerengwo in a statement
said: “Arm twisting has never worked
as a dispute resolution strategy. It is
unacceptable to the union that while
the President has invited the union
leadership for a dialogue, some
overzealous assistants to the
president are clandestinely working to
jeopardise the process.
The surest and shortest route to
industrial harmony in the university
system and the fastest approach to
revitalising university education is the
implementation of 2009 agreement
and the 2012 MOU,” the union said.
UI-ASUU, while welcoming an
invitation to ASUU for a meeting
today, warned that it would be
unacceptable to its members if
government failed to come out with a
clear agenda for implementing the
2009 agreement.
It said “The attention of our union is
drawn to news reports in the media
alleging that President Goodluck
Jonathan will direct the re-opening of
all Nigerian universities with or
without ASUU.
“We wish to state that while the
President had issued an invitation to
the leaders of our union for dialogue,
it will be unacceptable to our
members if government fails to come
out with a clear agenda for
implementing the 2009 agreement.
“Authoritarian posturing has never
solved and will not solve the
impasse. We are calling on Mr
President to tow the path of honour
and respect the 2009 Agreement.”
It sounded a note of warning that
“Any proposal not based on a clear
acceptance of a framework for
implementing the 2009 agreement
will, instead, seek to impose a
solution regarding the impasse, and
will not be a solution to the present
crisis.”
Omole said it was laughable that a
government which had earlier
claimed to have released N100billion
has not, in actual fact released even a
kobo.
He said ASUU as a body of
intellectuals, which is ready to pursue
the revatilisation of public education
in Nigeria will purse same to its
logical conclusion even with the
stoppage of salaries.
http://www.vanguardngr.com/2013/11/ASUU-warns-fg-forced-re-opening-varsities/

It's becoming more frustrating and worrisome with each passing day. I strongly believe that ASUU has been politicised and thus, lost relevance. FG should re-open our higher institutions with immediate effect!

Lukin 4ward to seein'ASUU strike has bin cald off' dats all...

fools, if Nigerian education sector must improve then the govt must state by weeding out the many educated illiterates called lecturers in the universities. Jonathan should call their bluff and reopen the schools any opposition should be shown the way out.

hm , na part 3 be dis film ASUU vs fg.
If FG should dare re open any of this universities i promise to give them a dirty slap. shame on them , they can't come to an understanding with the union and they will force them to work in this depleted universities where there is nothing to show at the end of 4 years . we keep on producing half baked graduates year after year , if the govt can't implement its 2009 MOU , they should to come to a better understanding rather than make students bear the brunt for this arrant nonsense.
I REST MY CASE.

ceo4eva: It's becoming more frustrating and worrisome with each passing day. I strongly believe that ASUU has been politicised and thus, lost relevance. FG should re-open our higher institutions with immediate effect!
Click 'LIKE' if U support FG on this matter.

I doubt you are a university student. A govt fails to keep its own part of an agreement since 2009 despite the 2012 MOU. The Union is now on strike for what is their right and you are here writing trash.

ASUU SHOULD not call off its strike until the 2009 agreement is FULLY implemented. I'd rather sit at home for eight months and be sure there might be no future strikes than resume after four months and have my academic calendar continously disrupted by incessant strikes..

Its funny that most who comment on this strike have never seen the four walls of a university not alone being a student.


ALUTA CONTINUA

I simply don't care anymore. I wonder why the FG will refuse to honor an agreement no one force them into entering... No wonder Nigeria is the way it is