ASUU alleges government intentionally starving members to compromise and resume classes

*We are tired of strike. Our children are attending public institutions (schools), and it is sad that those frustrating our agitations, their children are not attending schools in Nigeria. It is so unfortunate, says Prof. Olu Olufayo, ASUU Zonal Coordinator

*Explains why consumers should not blame ASUU for further damage to Nigerian University system, but hold government responsible

Alexander Davis | ConsumerConnect

As the faceoff between the Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) over a number of the latter’s demands lingers, the academic Union has urged government to pity the children of ordinary Nigerians and quickly attend to their demands.

ConsumerConnect reports the academics indicate they are tired of the ongoing strike, as ASUU disclosed that the Federal Government is rushing the body to resume classes because it is scared of youths’ protests after they saw their demonstrations during #EndSARS agitations.

In a press conference Friday, November 6, 2020, the Akure Zone of the Union, represented by Dr. Olayinka Awopetu of the Federal University of Technology (FUTA), Akure; Dr. Kayode Arogundade of Ekiti State University (EKSU); Dr. Adeola Egbedokun of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU); and Dr. Gabriel Omonijo of the Federal University, Oye-Ekiti, in Ekiti State, jointly disclosed the position of ASUU.

Prof. Olu Olufayo, ASUU Zonal Coordinator, in a statement noted that the lingering industrial action of the union was to get the FG to fulfill the agreements of 2013 and 2019 and not primarily about Integrated Personnel and Payroll System (IPPIS).

Olufayo said: “For the avoidance of doubt, our issues remain funding for revitalisation of public universities, payment of earned academic allowances, visitation panels to universities and renegotiation of 2009 FGN/ASUU agreement.

“Since 2009, we have conscientiously approached the government to be faithful to implement the agreement it freely entered into with the union. The current struggle derives from this history.”

The statement further said, “we are tired of the strike. Our children are attending the public institutions and it is sad that those frustrating our agitations, their children are not attending schools in Nigeria.

“It is so unfortunate. FG is intentionally starving us for our members to compromise and resume.”

The don also declared that recent meetings with the Federal Government have not solved these issues, as the government is bent on dishonouring the agreement.

“Our students have stayed home for almost a year, we are not the cause. We started our strike before COVID-19 and those students are fed up and it was part of what contributed to #EndSARS and the FG realised that.”

According to him, the government is “now calling for negotiations that they turned down months back. The students during #EndSARS, they also included end bad governance.

“I know that students in Kwara State universities gave FG two weeks ultimatum to sort the issue with ASUU, else they will hit streets with protest, that scared the government and they are rushing us to resume.”

Olufayo, however, urged the Federal Government to pity the children of ordinary Nigerians and quickly attend to the lingering issues without delay.

“The public should not blame ASUU for further damage to University system, but hold the Federal Government responsible.”