It's Just An Empty Threat- ASUU Replies FG

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has replied the federal government over its threat to sack university lecturers if they fail to call off its ongoing strike.

According to the striking lecturers, the threat would not only fail but will worsen the situation, hence "another long path to making the strike linger more than necessary."

The ASUU National Treasurer, Dr. Ademola Aremu, while responding to the government's directive, said the threat does not hold waters as it has confirmed the fears that the federal government cannot be trusted.

He said, "With the latest action, the federal government has shown that they are not committed to all they have been saying. We are saying that since we agreed at the meeting that the sum of 200 billion naira is for 2012 and 2013 revitalisation, the federal government should deposit same in the Central Bank of Nigeria. We are already in November and December is around the corner. If they don't do that now, when do they want to do it? We are saying that the non-victimization clause should be included as agreed while the renegotiation of the 2009 agreement should be included as agreed with the presidents".

"It is a pity if the federal government is not willing to perfect the resolutions reached with the union. This is why we find it difficult to trust our leaders by their words. How can someone be threatening to sack lecturers when universities are already short-staffed by almost 60,000. We are not in the military era. The military tried it and failed. This one will fail again.

"They can re-open the school. ASUU did not shutdown the universities. It was the management of the schools that ordered the students to go back home."

ASUU Set To Meet With President Jonathan Tomorrow As Hopes For A Call Off Gets Underway

Hopes are high within the ranks of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, as the union is set for a meeting with President Goodluck Jonathan tomorrow that the two parties will arrive at a mutually acceptable solution to the four months old strike which has paralysed the nation's university education.

The union however expects the solution to be within the context of the implementation of the 2009 agreement, the 2012 MOU and the recommendations of the Needs Assessment Report, warning that any proposal by the Government would be based on a clear acceptance of a framework for the implementation of the 2009 agreement.

The union stated clearly that any imposition will not present a solution to the current crisis.

 In a statement by Dr. Uzochukwu Onyebinama, Chairperson ASUU, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia state, ASUU urged the President "to be guided by the principle of honouring agreements in the interest of justice and industrial harmony in the country".

 "As the National leadership of our union, the Academic Staff Union of Universities meet with his Excellency, President Goodluck Jonathan, tomorrow 4th November 2013 [tomorrow], we hope that the meeting will be a dialogue that will lead to a mutually acceptable fair and far reaching solution within the context of the implementation of the 2009 agreement, the 2012 MOU and the recommendations of the Needs Assessment Report.

 "Any proposal by government should be based on a clear acceptance of a framework for the implementation of the 2009 agreement.

Any imposition will not present a solution to the current crisis. "We therefore call on the President and Commander- in- chief of the armed forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan to be guided by the principle of honouring agreements in the interest of justice and industrial harmony in the country", the statement.

Happy 100 Days ASUU; ASUU Goes International As French Journalist Writes An Article On The Ongoing Strike (MUST READ)

First of all, I want to wish ASUU a hearty congratulations on clocking #100days. This is by no means a small feat.

Students who ordinarily should be preparing for the new session haven't even completed the existing one before ASUU reared it's ugly head.

On ASUU's part, it is No Retreat, No Surrender, while on the Federal Government's part, it is a case of It's Either My Way, Or The Highway.

When two elephants fight, the grass surely suffers.

To show how international ASUU has gone, it featured on Al Jazeera's #AJStream some weeks ago, now it has even gone French, as some French journalist covered the news.

This strike has to be called off for the purpose of the students. This is totally unfair and totally insensitive to the plights of the future leaders of tomorrow.

It is becoming embarrassing that in this time and age, our education system is in total collapse.

Early this morning, I posted a story about how no Nigerian university made the top 400 in World University rankings.

Whereas, three South African universities made the list. Thought we were Giants of Africa.

Well I featured in this article to give my candid view about the ongoing ASUU strike and I will be the happiest man in Nigeria if this strike is called off in the interest of what's left of our education sector.

Big ups to Clio Bayle of My Science Work..

Kindly click on this link to read this article- http://www.mysciencework.com/en/news/10723/three-months-in-university-strike-in-nigeria-threatens-students-future