No Going Back On Strike, ASUU Tells FG

If the Federal Government does not reply by the October 13 expiration date, Chris Piwuna, President of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), has reiterated that there is no turning back from the two-week nationwide warning strike over several outstanding concerns.

The proposed walkout comes after the union last week gave the Federal Government a two-week ultimatum to settle its outstanding grievances, which included signing and implementing the 2009 ASUU-FGN renegotiated agreement.

Piwuna assured reporters during the Academic Staff Union’s orientation and leadership training at the Niger Delta University branch in Wilberforce Island, Bayelsa State, that the union has decided on a warning strike and that it won’t alter its stance until its demands from the federal government are fulfilled.

“We are not meeting to discuss that again as a union because our position has been taken,” he stated. “We will start a two-week warning strike by midnight on Monday, and we will meet after the expiration to decide when to start an indefinite and comprehensive strike action.”

“The issues are still the same, the re-negotiation of our 2009 documents is still lingering over the years, and we want Nigerians to know that we have been talking and that the strike action is coming after several years of negotiations and that we are not just jumping on a strike.

“We’ve given the administration enough time on this specific subject; just think that they promised to respond to us in three weeks, but they haven’t done so as of now. Nigerians must always consider how the government has always led us to take such things.

Regarding the NELFUND, Piwuna stated, “We have informed the government that we do not endorse lending in such a weak economy. Where do they want them to pay back the loan when families are unable to feed themselves in an economy with a high unemployment rate?

“They should be upfront if they really want to give them money. Where are the jobs that will allow them to pay back the loans? A grant, not a loan, should be granted if the money is intended to improve university operations.

“Recent reports from NELFUND, which show that an organization with less than 100 employees and less than a year of existence is spending 14 billion naira on personnel, make us believe we are correct. Even this university, which employs more than 1000 people, cannot spend that much in a year, including building structures.”

Reiterating that ASUU has not only been known as a union of intellectuals but also of intellectuals with integrity, Comrade Happiness Uduk, the National Financial Secretary of ASUU, spoke at the Orientation/Leadership Training on the topic of “Understanding the Principles of the Union.” He urged members to always uphold the principles of integrity, transparency, and accountability regardless of the pressure.

Comrade Prof. Ezekiel Ogheneyerhovwo Agbalagba, Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Petroleum Resources in Delta State, also cautioned members to adhere to the principles of the ASUU work guide, which was written and put together by Comrade Festus Iyayi, the former President of the Union. He spoke on the topic of “Understanding the Dynamics of ASUU and University Administration.”

He added that if ASUU members are aware of their responsibilities, they will be able to bring about change in the institutions and that member collaboration will help attain educational excellence.

Vice Chancellor Prof. Allen A. Agih of Niger Delta University praised the training workshop’s participants and organizers and urged that it be held more frequently due to its significance.