The Academic Staff Union of Universities on Friday expressed
doubts over the ability of the Federal Government under the regime of the
President, Muhammadu Buhari, to resolve the lingering crisis in the education
sector, particularly the universities.
The union said an indefinite strike will commence.
The union described as “shameful” the continued defence of
IPPIS by the Federal Government despite reported fraud in it’s implementation
as indicated in the 2021 report submitted to the National Assembly by the
Auditor General of the Federation.
In a statement on Friday, ASUU lamented the numerous past
negotiations and agreements with the Federal Government on how to revamp the
education sector but which the government had shown no commitment to implement.
The statement signed by the Chairman of ASUU, University of
Jos branch, Dr Lazarus Maigoro, read, “In the last one year, our Union has been
engaged with the federal government and its officials over demands which, if
met, would lift the standard of our battered tertiary institutions, especially
the universities. The undisputed crisis in our educational sector has met, as
with other consequences, nothing but the same response. Our union states very
clearly that we appreciate the interest demonstrated by the Nigerian
Inter-religion Council with a view to resolving the current impasse.
“However, it is not rational to continue to return to the
same physician for the cure of an ailment iatrogenically introduced by him or
one in which he has failed to cure or bring relief to his patient.
“From historical
experience, we can conclude that NIRECs efforts with agents of government will
be more prone to bringing further pain and anguish to the system. This will
surely be the case if NIREC’s intervention ends with a palliative solution.
This will lead to another phase of the same crisis. For the avoidance of doubt,
our Union ASUU, has had several meetings with the Minister of Labour, Officials
of the Federal Ministry of Education, the NUC, and NITDA and, very recently
with the Chief of Staff to the President.
“All these meetings have not calmed our members as the
following issues still remain unresolved.
The recent comments by the spokesman to the President, Mr.
Femi Adesina that government will keep to the promises, rings very hollow to
us. The government’s pattern of response to the issues is that of a serial
promise-breaker. Like an unfaithful spouse, they are unable to match their
words with action which is affecting the education sector negatively. We are
tired of their deceit and IT IS TIME FOR US TO ACT. We want to inform
Nigerians, that we are tired of fruitless meetings with the Minister of Labour,
NUC Executive Secretary, Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission, NITDA, and the
Chief of Staff to the President. If they ever want us to listen to them, they
should first of all act on the promises they have already made.
“In the meantime, we are resolved to proceed on an
indefinite and comprehensive strike until fidelity returns to our relationship
with the government and our demands are met. We are tired of the back and
forth.”
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