The Abuja Zonal office of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, has debunked rumour that the union will embark on a nationwide industrial action on 2nd October, 2016.
Nasarawa State University branch Chairman of the union, Dr.
Theophilus Daniel Lagi, made the position of ASUU, Abuja zone known to
newsmen in Keffi yesterday.
He explained that there was never a time the union issued such threat.
Dr Lagi described as untrue the statement credited to him and the
branch chairman, University of Abuja, Dr. Ben Ugbeoke that they
specifically said ASUU was set to shutdown universities should the
federal government fail to meet-up their demands by October 2nd.
He noted that the only body that has the right to declare a
nationwide strike (or warning strike) was the National Executive Council
(NEC) of ASUU, not its zonal office or an individual.
He emphasised that before any action as such could be embarked upon,
there were usually processes and procedures that have to be followed to
its logical conclusion.
The chairman stressed that ASUU would not hastily go on strike
without channelling its grievances to appropriate quarters for
intervention.
Dr. Lagi however admitted holding press conference in Abuja on some
pressing issues that needed Federal Government urgent attention, as
failure to address the requests would lead to the disruption of academic
activities in all public universities across the country upon the
certification of the National body of ASUU.
He added that during the press conference, there was no question
asked by a journalist or statement to the effect that ASUU would embark
on strike on 2nd October, 2016.
According to Dr. Lagi, “There was a press briefing by the Academic
Staff Union of Universities, Abuja Zone that was held in the University
of Abuja secretariat on the 31st August, 2016.
“What we really informed the pressmen was on the growing agitation
across Nigeria public universities, because if you recall, there are
these agitations not just within Abuja zone. Other zones were also
mandated to sensitize the public on certain key fundamental issues
bedevilling Nigeria universities.
“These issues specifically regarding on funding of the universities
for revitalization in line with the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU),
Federal Government entered into with ASUU in 2013, renegotiation of the
federal government–ASUU agreement, which ASUU believe will reposition
the entire education sector of the country for better service delivery,
upward review of the budgetary allocation to the education sector,
arbitrary removal of some vice chancellors and sacking of governing
councils.
“Others issues are amendment of JAMB, NUC and national minimum
standards and establishment of institutions Act of 2004, review of
inclusion of universities in the Treasury Single Account (TSA).
“Facilitation of the registration of Nigeria Universities pension
management company (NUPEMCO), deliberate cut in personnel costs
allocations to federal universities, occasioning salary shortfalls,
refusal to pay Earned Academic Allowances to members since 2009 and
inability of the president, federal government and visitors to all
federal and state universities to meet with ASUU on these issues.”
“As far as the Abuja zone of ASUU is concerned, we have to disabuse
the minds of the general public. I don’t know where this information
that is flying over the radio, television and newspapers is coming from.
I think whoever is doing this has no respect to our union.
“For anybody to do that is wrong. If ASUU is going to embark on any
form of action there are processes and the whole world will know.
Dr. Lagi however called on students, religion and traditional
leaders, market women and politicians to prevail on the government to do
the needful in order to avert any action that would shutdown activities
across all public universities in the country.
The ASUU Abuja zone comprises of the University of Abuja, Federal
University of Technology, Minna, Ibrahim Babagida University Lapai, and
Nasarawa State University, Keffi.
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