ASUU Strike: This one has gone too far
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Posted by Felix Okoli on October 09, 2009 at 01:37:54:
There has not been any other strike in any other sector like the current ASUU strike in Nigeria. It has always been a recurrent problem in the nation's sector in almost every civilian regime and the primary issue has always been that of remuneration for ASUU members.
The Academic Staff Union of Universities ASUU is a union of academic members of Nigerian Universities and it was formed to help attend to the needs and protect the interests of her members and relate this to the govt with one voice.
In the past, when ASUU strikes had occurred, it mostly ended with the two sides (Govt and ASUU) coming to an agreement which was mutually signed but ASUU's main grievance over these years has been the Federal govt's part in reneging on the agreement which does not only include increase in remuneration in line with the rising cost of living but also with other issues which include discriminate sacking of members by some institutions because of their participation in nationwide strikes by ASUU, as well as others.
The Current ASUU strike has been seen as historic as it has been going on for more than 3months which has made universities in Nigeria lose up to a semester in their academic calendars.
The effects of the ASUU strike has been weighing down on students too who last week went to Abuja to do what they termed a naked protest against the prolonged ASUU strike and called on the Federal govt led by President Umaru Musa Yar'adua and Nigeria's Minster of Education Dr. Sam Egwu.
One of the negative effects of the strike cannot be far away from the rising cases of kidnapping and crime going on in the country, only just a few months ago, the Minister of Education was reported to have escaped from a kidnapping attempt which was made by a couple of students said to belong to the University of Abuja in collusion with their sponsor.
Everyone seems to be begging both sides to come to a consensus so that life can return to normalcy in the nation.
On my own part, I would advise ASUU to call of the strike for the sake of three things which are more important and on the basis on humanitarian grounds;
- The global recession
- Depleting National reserve
- Successful implementation of the amnesty programme Perhaps it would be better if they shelve the strike for later on when the economy improves. Nigeria is better of when compared to other African countries and the lecturers earn fairly better than some other West African countries. An industrial strike doesn't have to be a do or die affair. They can postpone the strike for later for the sake of the entire nation, it doesn't mean that they have lost. It will not make sense for the govt to say they agree to ASUU's demand only for later to renege on it or for the nation to go broke
Comments:
There has not been any other strike in any other sector like the current ASUU strike in Nigeria. It has always been a recurrent problem in the nation's sector in almost every civilian regime and the primary issue has always been that of remuneration for ASUU members.
The Academic Staff Union of Universities ASUU is a union of academic members of Nigerian Universities and it was formed to help attend to the needs and protect the interests of her members and relate this to the govt with one voice.
In the past, when ASUU strikes had occurred, it mostly ended with the two sides (Govt and ASUU) coming to an agreement which was mutually signed but ASUU's main grievance over these years has been the Federal govt's part in reneging on the agreement which does not only include increase in remuneration in line with the rising cost of living but also with other issues which include discriminate sacking of members by some institutions because of their participation in nationwide strikes by ASUU, as well as others.
The Current ASUU strike has been seen as historic as it has been going on for more than 3months which has made universities in Nigeria lose up to a semester in their academic calendars.
The effects of the ASUU strike has been weighing down on students too who last week went to Abuja to do what they termed a naked protest against the prolonged ASUU strike and called on the Federal govt led by President Umaru Musa Yar'adua and Nigeria's Minster of Education Dr. Sam Egwu.
One of the negative effects of the strike cannot be far away from the rising cases of kidnapping and crime going on in the country, only just a few months ago, the Minister of Education was reported to have escaped from a kidnapping attempt which was made by a couple of students said to belong to the University of Abuja in collusion with their sponsor.
Everyone seems to be begging both sides to come to a consensus so that life can return to normalcy in the nation.
On my own part, I would advise ASUU to call of the strike for the sake of three things which are more important and on the basis on humanitarian grounds;
- The global recession
- Depleting National reserve
- Successful implementation of the amnesty programme Perhaps it would be better if they shelve the strike for later on when the economy improves. Nigeria is better of when compared to other African countries and the lecturers earn fairly better than some other West African countries. An industrial strike doesn't have to be a do or die affair. They can postpone the strike for later for the sake of the entire nation, it doesn't mean that they have lost. It will not make sense for the govt to say they agree to ASUU's demand only for later to renege on it or for the nation to go broke
Comments:
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Re: ASUU Strike: This one has gone too far
Posted by val odili on October 09, 2009 at 03:45:48:
In Reply to ASUU Strike: This one has gone too far Many Nigerians show sympathy towards ASUU and the ongoing strike, however it is unfortunate that they are very poorly informed about the issues in contention. The ASUU negotiation started way back in 2001 when the country was basking in the oil dollar windfall. Through the years Govt. managed to stall negotiations till this year. ASUU has tried every method available to get govt. to negotiate fairly but all to no avail, some of the strategies included ASUU dialoguing with Traditional rulers,Committee of VCs, Pro-chancellors, press conferences, talks, giving ultimatums, warning strikes e.t.c. Let's face it any serious minded govt. with an agenda for education would since have done something. The truth is that the govt. is following a script which has been written by World bank and IMF which intends to kill tertiary education in this country and then secondary education will be next. (They tried selling our Unity schools) Well that's a topic for another day. Back to the issue, As at the time ASUU began negotiations with Govt. years ago the average pay of a professor was at par with that of Permanent secretaries, judges e.t.c. Since then Govt has about quadrupled the pay of th PS and judges who now earn 1.8M monthly, Do you know what the highest paid prof. earns N250,000. THE INCREASE ASUU IS ASKING FOR WILL TRANSLATE TO ABOUT 500,000. Now please do tell me is that too much to ask for? in a country where Local Govt. Councilors earn 1.2M monthly. Methinks it is the turn of our people, The tradition rulers, parents, opinion leaders to tell govt. to not only sign the agreement but also commend ASUU for being very patient and responsible.
Re: ASUU Strike: This one has gone too far
Posted by Obisi on October 10, 2009 at 09:35:12:
In Reply to ASUU Strike: This one has gone too far i heard the strike has been suspended for 2 weeks to allow things to normalize