We cannot be intimidated -- ASUU
(Nigeria) The Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, on Thursday
said that it would not be intimidated by the Federal Government's directive to
resume work on or before Dec. 4 without resolving the industrial dispute.
Mr Clement Chup, the Chairman of ASUU, the University of
Abuja chapter, told News Agency of Nigeria, in Abuja that there was nothing
like re-opening the universities or calling off the strike.
The Federal Government had on Thursday directed all
Vice-Chancellors of the federal universities that were on strike to immediately
re-open the universities for academic and allied activities.
The Federal Government also directed the universities’
Pro-Chancellors and Vice-Chancellors to ensure that lecturers who resumed for
work were provided with the enabling environment for academic and allied
activities.
The government, however, warned that any lecturer who failed
to resume on or before December 4, automatically ceased to be a member of staff
of the institution.
It also directed the Vice-Chancellors directed to advertise
vacancies (internal and external) in their institutions.
Some parents and students, who spoke with the NAN in Abuja,
expressed mixed feelings concerning the Federal Government’s directive.
Mr Ekpontas Uwanna, a parent, said that it was improper for
the Federal Government to order ASUU to call off its strike in such an abrupt
manner, without reaching an agreement with the union.
``This is a civilised country and I think people have been
trying to sympathise with the government over ASUU strike. 'But with such
pronouncement, I do not think that it is the right way that the Federal
Government should handle this matter,’’ he added.
Another parent, Mrs Joy Amadi, said that it was a shame that
the state of affairs of the country’s tertiary education sector was being
handled in such a manner.
``We are not in the military era; this is democracy and any
agreement entered into by the Federal Government, be it with anybody or
association, must be kept. Issuing threat is not the option but with mutual
understanding of both parties and patience, there will be peace and harmony in
the sector,’’ she said.
Mr Dele Oluwadayo, also a parent, said that the strike had
dragged on for too long, adding that parents and students were fed up with the
industrial action.
``I think that the Federal Government and the
Pro-Chancellors are doing the right thing by calling for the re-opening of the
universities. But I want to say that the Federal government should not be hard
on the lecturers. I think ASUU is fighting for a good cause but they should
also be considerate,’’ he said.
However, a student, Mohammed Aliyu, urged ASUU to abide by
the Federal Government's directive.
``It is better for ASUU to work with the Federal
Government's terms and reference; we are tired of the strike,’’ he said.
Another student, Priscilla Ekoma, said that the Federal
Government’s directive was not in order.
``Although it is not that I am happy that we are on strike,
but it is very, very wrong for the Federal Government to order ASUU to resume
work just like that. ASUU is making a case for all the universities in the
country and an agreement should be reached, the crisis cannot be resolved via
intimidation or threat,’’ Ekoma said.
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