As the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and the Federal Government failed to reach an agreement, the strike embarked on by the university lecturers continued, with no end in sight since negotiations have been cut off, several Nigerians, corporate and civil society groups have begun to mount pressure on the union to reason with the government on its funding demands so that the lingering strike can come to an end.
The Coalition of Civil Society Organisations of Nigeria (CCSON) in its appeal urged the ASUU members not to be insistent on the funding demands for the university system as a way to resolve the current negotiations deadlock with the government.
ASUU had insisted on the implementation of the 2009 Agreement and the 2012 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), both of which stipulate that the government would release N1.4 trillion for the sector in the next three years, but the FG’s offer is way off the amount both parties agreed on four years ago, prompting ASUU to label the government as ‘deceitful’.
In a statement issued after an emergency meeting in Abuja at the weekend, CCSON expressed concern at the declining rate of the education sector and called on the warring parties to urgently work on a resolution to save the sector from further decline.
In the statement signed by the National Coordinator, Mr. Temitope Fadahunsi and National Secretary, Mr. Ahmed Yahaya, CCSON disagreed with ASUU that Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) was not doing enough for the universities.
“The issue ASUU is fighting for boils down to proper funding and what Nigerians need is for the tertiary education sector to function optimally, we implore ASUU to be logical in their argument on some issues as regards the betterment of education in Nigeria”, it read.
“We are of the opinion that ASUU is fighting a good fight which is for the proper funding of the education sector, but the continued strike going into its third month is not to say that government has not been doing anything at all in the education sector,” the statement added.
In the same vein, the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Zone B has expressed dismay over the non-resolution of the industrial action that led to the closure of public universities.
But the NANS Zone B comprising federal universities in South-east and South-south states, in a communiqué issued at the end of its council meeting at Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike, Abia State, said both the federal government and the university teachers should consider the plight of students and make concessions “so that students can resume their normal academic activities”.
i dislike the attribute of ASUU & FG concien the indefinite strike that is goin on now, this show that nigerian still lackin quality leader.
For how long are we going to act like camels that are INURE to hardship. Why not beg the Federal Government instead. Do you not read when 1billion was meant for Food, do you know how much the politicians News Papersl allowance is, do you know how much the politicians will spend on campaign? Beg the FG and not ASUU.
Let ASUU continue. No singular graduate from 1999 till date that will tell you that he/she did not witness strike even to the extent of loosing a whole session and half like me. if you are waiting for ASUU to come and teach you as an undergraduate in University, without finding a way to read on your own and help yourself, you will end up graduating as a half baked and unemployable graduate.
The FG is only trying to play smart. Come to think of it, who says there is no money to meet there demands. If only the senators wld be sincere enough to tell u their salary or allowance, then u will be angered to even flog the FG. The truth is that they don’t care. Jonatha’s children are not students of any Nigeria university, so why should he care, even the so called politicians, most of them fly their children abroad. They really don’t care. If only asuu will stamp her foot hard on the ground and say no to bribery, then am in support of them.
those of you talking about how much politicians take home,have ever considered the risk the go through everyday?….. yes asuu is right in what the are doing but the should also realise that we’hv been facing economic melt down lately…at least they should go with what the FG has offered and stop being greedy about salaries given to politicians.
On a serious note, FGN please have mercy on the poor Nigerian youth/undergraduate and be honest and sincere for once to yourself and to ASUU please for the sake of us that our parent can’t afford pay the cost of education abroad, resume the so called negotiation with the FGN and tell them to their faces on my behalf that they have fail the young people and that God will hold them responsible for failing in their responsibility.
i must say with open mind dat asuu shouldnt be blamed.i see d fed govt as being insensitive 2 d plight of d nig studnts.youths ar d strenth nd future of nig hence d need 2 guard d future of d country jelously if they ar really patriotic 2 d course of nig.GEJ remember dat these lecturers ar ur coleagues;y ar frustratin dem claiming dat their demands ar unimplementable.no wonder karl max said negation of negation when u 4get ur former coleagues in strugle.great JOSITES