THE Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), on Wednesday, said that the doors to the universities in the country would remain shut to academic activities as long as the Federal Government was not willing to strike a deal with it.

The union described the decision of the Mr. Gamaliel Onosode-led Federal Government Negotiation Team to back out of the negotiations as irresponsible on the part of the government.

ASUU President, Professor Ukachukwu Awuzie, briefing newsmen, accused the Federal Government and its agents of being responsible for the continuation of the crisis, since they were never ready to approach the issues with sincerity.

He said that Mr. Onosode, had on behalf of the Federal Government, terminated the negotiations on July 10, 2009, saying, “everything else he has done on behalf of his principals is a charade. He cannot honestly claim that negotiation has been going on up to August, contrary to his declaration of July 10th.”

The ASUU president also alleged that the government had already stopped their salaries, contrary to the claim by the Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission (NUC), that their July salaries had been paid.

He said: “The directive was given to all vice chancellors to stop salaries of all the striking workers and that was conveyed on behalf of the NUC by one Mr. J. M. Ahmadu. You can visit the university campuses to verify that there was such a directive.”

He explained that what the union wanted was a benchmark for the universities in the country to follow as the required standard for the operation of universities in Nigeria as contained in the draft agreement, saying that the union was surprised at the level of distortion of facts and “war propaganda” by the government and its agents.

Awuzie said that there was nowhere in the provisions of the draft agreement compelling the state governments to obey the provisions, instead, he said the agreement reached with the government’s negotiation team was for the Federal Government to approve the minimum benchmark that the National Universities Commission (NUC) and other agencies would use in setting standards for operation of universities in Nigeria.

He said: “The agreement contains benchmark which every university must satisfy in order to be part of the system without being inferior.” “What is happening is war propaganda and it is irresponsible on the part of government. We have told Onosode that ASUU is a union of citizens who have their rights and we are not slaves to be imposed upon.

“We have come a long way from the time, during military rule, when arbitrary rules were imposed on Nigerians. We are not cowed and ASUU will not accept state arbitrariness, imposition and industrial autocracy. For we are ready to sacrifice everything we have if this is required,” Awuzie stated.

On the directive by the Federal Government for the Universities Governing Councils to reopen schools for interested workers to resume, the ASUU President declared that the union would not allow that to happen, saying “I can assure you nobody will go to work.”

He challenged the Minister of Education, Dr. Sam Egwu, NUC’s Executive Secretary, Professor Julius Okojie, and indeed any other government official to produce the document where ASUU demanded for 109 per cent salary increase as the government has made the public to believe their problem was salary increases.

He added, “The main cause of the prolongation of the current crisis is this barefaced attempt to impose a change of rule on ASUU, contrary to the principles of collective bargaining.”

Awuzie stated that the government was to be held responsible for the systemic failure and shutdown in the university system, vowing that the lecturers would not return to class despite all entreaties until government was ready to listen to them.

Meanwhile, the ASUU President also disclosed that it was taking a comprehensive data of all the children of top government officials who are receiving their education abroad.

He said this was necessary to make Nigerians judge for themselves the reason why ASUU had consistently said that the government had no interest in revamping the nation’s ailing education sector.

The ASUU president’s stand was similarly echoed also on Wednesday by the union’s zonal co-ordinator for Ilorin, Kwara State, Professor Eddy Olanipekun, in Ado Ekiti, where he told newsmen that the recent turn of events in the face off between the government and the union would not stampede ASUU to abandon its cause to reposition the nation’s universities to be among the best in the world.

Useless lecturers in a useless country run by useless leaders. Everthing useless.

This is bizzare, and craziness at its best. Nigeria which one u dey?

this match is becoming hotter. these strikers should try and put the ball in the net now!!! the FG keeper too much ooo

shey na like this we go dey dey, this strike seems unstoppable

In incidence after incidence the sad picture of university institutions under siege because fo the desperate and heartless nature of the lecturers.The studentry is always helpless in the face of this relentless onslaught as it is repeated with disguisting monotony.It is lamentable to state here and now that this useless strikes have cost for this stupid lecturers a dark spot on their image as a vibrant and articulate one and they should be out to redeem it by all means.
THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT(THOUGH I AM NOT THEIR SUPPORTER) SHOULD HAVE NO PLACE FOR MISCREANTS AKA LECTURERS WHO DERIVE PLEASURE IN UNLEASHING STRIKES,FRUSTRATION,HELPLESSNESS,JOBLESSNESS ON INNOCENT STUDENT AT ANY SLIGHTEST OPPORRTUNITY.

naijasaba:

THE Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), on Wednesday, said that the doors to the universities in the country would remain shut to academic activities as long as the Federal Government was not willing to strike a deal with it.

The union described the decision of the Mr. Gamaliel Onosode-led Federal Government Negotiation Team to back out of the negotiations as irresponsible on the part of the government.

ASUU President, Professor Ukachukwu Awuzie, briefing newsmen, accused the Federal Government and its agents of being responsible for the continuation of the crisis, since they were never ready to approach the issues with sincerity.

He said that Mr. Onosode, had on behalf of the Federal Government, terminated the negotiations on July 10, 2009, saying, “everything else he has done on behalf of his principals is a charade. He cannot honestly claim that negotiation has been going on up to August, contrary to his declaration of July 10th.”

The ASUU president also alleged that the government had already stopped their salaries, contrary to the claim by the Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission (NUC), that their July salaries had been paid.

He said: “The directive was given to all vice chancellors to stop salaries of all the striking workers and that was conveyed on behalf of the NUC by one Mr. J. M. Ahmadu. You can visit the university campuses to verify that there was such a directive.”

He explained that what the union wanted was a benchmark for the universities in the country to follow as the required standard for the operation of universities in Nigeria as contained in the draft agreement, saying that the union was surprised at the level of distortion of facts and “war propaganda” by the government and its agents.

Awuzie said that there was nowhere in the provisions of the draft agreement compelling the state governments to obey the provisions, instead, he said the agreement reached with the government’s negotiation team was for the Federal Government to approve the minimum benchmark that the National Universities Commission (NUC) and other agencies would use in setting standards for operation of universities in Nigeria.

He said: “The agreement contains benchmark which every university must satisfy in order to be part of the system without being inferior.” “What is happening is war propaganda and it is irresponsible on the part of government. We have told Onosode that ASUU is a union of citizens who have their rights and we are not slaves to be imposed upon.

“We have come a long way from the time, during military rule, when arbitrary rules were imposed on Nigerians. We are not cowed and ASUU will not accept state arbitrariness, imposition and industrial autocracy. For we are ready to sacrifice everything we have if this is required,” Awuzie stated.

On the directive by the Federal Government for the Universities Governing Councils to reopen schools for interested workers to resume, the ASUU President declared that the union would not allow that to happen, saying “I can assure you nobody will go to work.”

He challenged the Minister of Education, Dr. Sam Egwu, NUC’s Executive Secretary, Professor Julius Okojie, and indeed any other government official to produce the document where ASUU demanded for 109 per cent salary increase as the government has made the public to believe their problem was salary increases.

He added, “The main cause of the prolongation of the current crisis is this barefaced attempt to impose a change of rule on ASUU, contrary to the principles of collective bargaining.”

Awuzie stated that the government was to be held responsible for the systemic failure and shutdown in the university system, vowing that the lecturers would not return to class despite all entreaties until government was ready to listen to them.

Meanwhile, the ASUU President also disclosed that it was taking a comprehensive data of all the children of top government officials who are receiving their education abroad.

He said this was necessary to make Nigerians judge for themselves the reason why ASUU had consistently said that the government had no interest in revamping the nation’s ailing education sector.

The ASUU president’s stand was similarly echoed also on Wednesday by the union’s zonal co-ordinator for Ilorin, Kwara State, Professor Eddy Olanipekun, in Ado Ekiti, where he told newsmen that the recent turn of events in the face off between the government and the union would not stampede ASUU to abandon its cause to reposition the nation’s universities to be among the best in the world.

And Publish them!

Mhen, These guys harsh o!

ASUU Keep the flag flying, but u know that the autonomy u are demanding is too much of a risk and many of u may pay with ur lives, Use ur head, as for those who are not indigenes of where they are lecturing, start looking for a new job, as for indigenes, start coming back to ur state.

Hyhhmmmm,what a wonderful country with extremely corrupt and callous leaders,what can we do in dis kind of situation,when the rich and the politicians steal our money in thrillions and send their children abroad to school since there is a very serious gap between the rich and the poor,(it is either you are there or no there). Now reaching any successful  compromise is a problem,why won't lecturers continue on there nonsense strike when they have been permited to carry out there laxity.even when school is in session what  do the rubbish lecturers do in their various offices than to make a threat on beautiful females students an sell marks and also award nonsense grades to those who do not deserve the best.BOTH ASUU AND FG ARE CORRUPT,OLE GBE OLE GBA,DEM BOTH KNOW DEMSELVES.NOTHING SEEMS TO WORK HERE IN OUR FATHERS COUNTRY.NO WAHALA GOD DEY.EVERY BEGINNING MUST HAVE AN END.

Let ASUU fight till the finish now o! 1st they should publish that list of politicians with children studying abroad. It will shock y'all that the major players in this face-off have nothing to loose if the strike continues. I'm sure that punk heading the F.G team's negotiation has children studying in Paris.

Indeed i think ASUU is just an obstacle to the development of the education sector in Nigeria,though i know they are fighting for their rights but i still think they are doing it in a very wrong way because it is affecting the students.Imagine if a five years course turns to be a six years course,i don't want to go into stating the negative effects ASUU have caused the GREAT NIGERIAN STUDENTS because it might not even end.In conclusion ASUU should find an alternative to STRIKE.

Telling the states to settle their problems with state ASUU won't work because the ASUU president has yesterday vowed that it won't work.So for ESUT that claims resumption on monday(as i heard),i don't think it will work out.God really have to help ESUT because they have not even written first semester.



ASUU blasts FG for withdrawing from negotiation
From VAL OKARA, Owerri
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Prof Awuzie
• Photo: The Sun Publishing
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The Owerri zone  of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASSU), on Wednesday denounced the  sudden withdrawal of  the Federal  Government  re-negotiating team, led by Deacon Gameriel  Onosode  from  the   discussions initiated  by President  Umaru Musa  Yar’Adua.

In a statement issued in Owerri, the union   argued  that  the re-negotiation provided a credible option  and an excellent opportunity for an amicable  resolution  of  the face-off with the Federal  Government.  It, therefore,  urged the Federal Government  team to return  to the  negotiating  table and respect the  principles of  collective  bargaining as the only practical means to accelerate the resolution of the conflict.

The union which comprises the Federal  University of Technology Owerri (FUTO), Rivers  State  University of  Science and Technology (RUST), The University of  Port Harcourt, Imo State University (IMSU) Owerri expressed surprise that a government that professes the rule of law could be averse to collective bargaining   which it said had been upheld by all democratic societies as a basis for maintaining industrial peace and harmony.

Specifically, the statement disclosed  that ASSU is on strike to compel government to sign the re-negotiated  agreement reached with the union after  two and half years’ deliberations.

“We are shocked that government  functionaries and bureaucracy failed to appreciate the necessity and urgency of the critical issues addressed by the agreement.” The body, therefore, regretted that the Federal Government team prefers palliatives, adhoc measures  and half hearted awards which it said can never elevate the nation’s universities as rated universities in the Sub-Sahara Africa.

This is a fight to finish, ASUU has the support of the masses. If the FG can increase salaries of VC from 400k to 1300k and backdate it to 2007 then they can well pay the 109% and even more.

eleshin:

onosode is mad for saying negotiation will continue only if ASUU call off strike,yar'adua is mentally demented for allowing such backlash in the educational sector,egwu is crazy for allowing ASUU to go on strike in the first place.its quite obvious that we nigerian students will continue to surffer the ruling of these demons that parade themselves as our leader in this 4king country.infact its only GOD that can help us out.

Dey there dey form activist.If ASUU no call off ,na you go dey old.When you eventually graduate companies go dey yarn say them want 24years ,by that time you for don reach 27 years and dem for never post you go NYSC

[b][/b]I AM DUMBFOUNDED.WAHALA DEY NAIJA O!

no be say e dey e plenty

watever d case may b we are d culprit.am sick of both assu and f.g

while ASUU is investigating to know the politicians that have their children schooling abroad,i think it will be wise for the students(NANS,SUG,etc) to investigate the ASUU members that have their children schooling abroad too.

ASUU leaders has noting to lose because there children are schooling abroad neither the olays that call there self our leader,ASUU and F G should be careful because one day monkey go go market he no go come oh.there should stop playing with Nigeria youth future while there own ward are in other country schooling.you guys(FG AND ASUU) should be careful our creator ( GOD) is watching

Now lets provide options for the Nigerian students. Theres an increasing exodus to Ghana Universities.

You guys should think about Sweden, Norway and Finland. Free Tuition and stuffs like that. If interested let me know, i got contacts.

Hmmm, everything in this country has defied all known solutions to man. The leadership sincerely do not want anything to work, I believe most, if not all, of our leaders have had cause to visit outside this country, is it that they are blind or just plain wicked, that they cannot duplicate what they see out there here in our country? As with all other things in Nigeria, the leadership do not want education to improve. This impasse between the FG and ASSU just give me worries when I think of the poor students staying at home now doing nothing. FG should for once think of the plight of the masses and do what is right.

no wonder all rivers state students wen take scholarship go away go school. AASU, FG please helps us in this country called 9ja.

The Education minister's sons and daughters are all abroad, Nigerian Uni are for the poor and they (FG) don't care about the poor, I am not surprised ASUU are on strike, it took me 7 yrs to complete a 4yr programme during my undergraduate days at Ibadan. This is just a continuity of bad leadership, until we learn how to go on the streets for days,weeks,months to demand a new government, until we learn how not to vote PDP because of bag of rice and gallons of vegetable oil that would not even last months, then our Uni will remain shut. we have well over 60 million unemployed youths, roaming the streets of Lagos, Ibadan, Aba, Enugu, Kaduna, Kano, Abuja, Calabar, Rivers searching for jobs that are not available, let them keep searching, when hunger wan finish them, una go know how to revolt against your corrupt and barbaric leaders, whom have brought nothing than shame and poverty to a country abundantly blessed with resources.

ASUU should considered d nigerian student rather than FG, all dis student were suffering,na wa 4 dis counntry ooo!!!

wat the goverment is doing is really not fair y re they suffering the federal school students or they want us to involve the milantants in this or wat?this is really bullshit,

@Eleshin:

onosode is mad for saying negotiation will continue only if ASUU call off strike,yar'adua is mentally demented for allowing such backlash in the educational sector,egwu is crazy for allowing ASUU to go on strike in the first place.its quite obvious that we nigerian students will continue to surffer the ruling of these demons that parade themselves as our leader in this 4king country.infact its only GOD that can help us out.

Mr brother, I have read the post thrice and I did not see anything to indicate that Mr Onosode said or implied the condition to ASUU above. But rather He was reported/quoted to have said:

He said that Mr. Onosode, had on behalf of the Federal Government, terminated the negotiations on July 10, 2009, saying, “everything else he has done on behalf of his principals is a charade. He cannot honestly claim that negotiation has been going on up to August, contrary to his declaration of July 10th.”

The last time I checked, a few synonyms for word Charade will be Pretence, farce, sham,Travesty, make-believe etc You most definitely don't use those words to those in the "opposition" if you represent a party, in otherwords, He himself was acknowledging that government had mis-led him and others representing government.
Besides let me tell you my dear, Mr Gamaliel Onosode is a gentleman, a true statesman, fears God and has worked his way up by the grace of God and hard work. I happen to know him from close quarter to be non-compromising and to be very thorough. If you want to run a check before you respond to my thread you may even ask some elderly people around about my claims.

I agree that the government can pick a good man to represent them with a view to douse the quagmire but if the person(s) have integrity and they smell a rat, they will simply refuse to "play ball". I belief Mr Onosode may end-up backing out of the government representation in protest if there are any shoddy deals ongoing.

Lastly, I want to advise you to tone-down,  try and avoid swear words, curse words or loose statements. As student we expect more caution from you because you are our future. Nobody I have spoken to is happy about the situation but you can at least re-act to the issues without resorting to swearing and cursing out these men in your thread. We all hope the matter is quickly resloved so you boys and girls can return to school. God bless you.

The two Elephants in this battle are stupid  I think it is high time university administrators in Nigeria start looking inwards for the solution to their problems. There is a lot of corruption going on in our universities. I make bold to say this. While I was studying as an Undergraduate in Nigeria's Premier University, I took time to make detailed calculations of how much was being earned internally by the University Administration. Fellow, Nairalanders, you will be shocked to know that good sums of money are generated annually on our campuses However, what happens to the money? The same academic and non academic staff in our Ivory Towers who love pointing accusing fingers at the Federal Government, are the ones embezzling the money and keeping our universities underdeveloped. Let me break it down for you, mates.

Intra Campus Transport Services: The authorities in our universities charge the owners of buses and taxi cabs on our campuses an annual or monthly fee. The cabs on some of our campuses run into their hundreds. Money is also collected from visitors for parking services. What has been done with the revenue generated from these services? I need an naswer to this question. I feel EFCC should go after Ex- Vice Chancellors and their deputies in Nigeria. Including the Registrars. ASUU should also smell the coffee and question the University authorities on what is being done to internally generated revenue.

Revenue Generated from shop spaces, canteens,Restaurants etc: Money is being collected on a monthly basis from operators of Internet cafes, canteens, restaurants, Computer Typing Operatives etc. What is being done with the money collected from this artisans? Nigerian Students need answers to this question.

I don't want to bore people reading this thread with too much facts and details. It is very clear that strikes will not work for ASSU a good number of lecturers on our campuses are half-baked and are not innovative in their teaching methods. I've seen Senior Lecturers that use 1978 notes to teach students in 2002-2003. What happened to daily research? I've come across Nigerian lecturers who don't know how to use the internet to develop themselves. Our lecturers need to also work on themselves.

The Federal Government also needs to shape up and develop the infrastructure in our Public Universities. The NUC needs to start networking with the Private Companies who will institute scholarships, grants and annual prizes on our campuses. The Federal Government needs to double the money given to our universities for Physical and Infrastructural development. Though, I'm afraid of the kleptomanic tendencies of our university authorities. Accountability is not in the dictionary of most university administrations Let he who is without sin cast the first stone. Innocent Nigerian students must not be made to suffer for the financial recklessness of our leaders and university authorities. Cheers.

You know sometimes i wonder why i am from nigeria because to me it seems so odd and everything seems so negative . when would all this stop in this nigeria self. when you get to the western world you find everything in place and order . are these white pple not the same pple that colonised us . Oh mY gooDneSs .

HABA

Not surprised. But would hurt the most if this issues they are clamoring for is postponed till some other day after wasting so much precious time. Till then,