ASUU protests in Lagos, declares readiness for nationwide strike

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), University of Lagos branch, on Tuesday, staged ptotests around campus, indicating its readiness for looming nationwide strike if the Federal Government continues to “look other way to their plights.”

The union observed that it has become obvious that the Federal Government is unwilling to meet its age-long demands despite its consistent appeals and waiting for action to address them.

The members of the branch carrying placards with different inscriptions such as “Lecturers too want earthly rewards for teaching,” “Neglect of university education is a pact with underdevelopment” and so forth in their hands, converged on the university main gate and moved to the Senate Building where the Chairman of the branch, Professor Idou Keinde, addressed newsmen.

He also read from the prepared statement signed by the National President of the union, Prof Christopher Piwuna, regarding the looming crisis.

According to him, the inaction of the Federal Government in addressing ASUU concerns is what is pushing members to think that industrial action may be the best option left for them go get the government to look at their side.

He said the only saving grace that could stop them from embarking on the proposed industrial action is only for the same federal government to do the needful fast.

The ASUU chairman explained that the union could no longer tolerate the “Federal Government insensitivity” to the plights of members and that of the public universities and the country as a whole.

He highlighted what their unmet demands are all about, saying they revolve around inconclusive 2009 Agreement renegotiation, university poor funding, non-injection of revitalization funds, unpaid four years’ promotion arrears, non-payment of owed salaries, unremitted deductions from member salaries, as well as victimization of members in some schools including Lagos State University, Kogi State (now Prince Abubakar Audu) University) and Federal University of Technology Owerri.

The Chairman noted that all these matters have been there for many years, including two and half years old under the current government, unattended to.

“So, we can no longer tolerate the Federal Government delaying tactics playing with us,” he said.

He, however, pointed out that although, ASUU-NEC appreciates the patience and forbearance of members over time, the government cannot keep the union talking forever.

“So, the general public is now invited to note that ASUU has tried several ways and strategies of resolving the conflict in the education sector.

“The general public should also note that ASUU has written several letters to the federal government drawing its attention to the need to resolve this crisis amicably.

“Lamentably, the federal government has always turned a deaf ear to all our pleas.

“Always, it is the federal government that has consistently pushed our union to embark on a strike action, and it is clear that ASUU may have no other option than to embark on an action to press government to listen to our demands and do the needful.

“But we advise the government to heed the warning before it is too late,” he stressed.

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