Update On ASUU :ASUU Stands Their Ground On Proposed Strike

The Academic Staff Union of Universities are standing on their ground for the one week strike which they have informed members about. Scheduled on wednesday the 16th of November 2016.
According to the News agency of Nigeria, the president of the union, Biodun Ogunyemi said that the low budgetary allocation has really affected the sector. He added that At 2015,about eleven percent of the national budget was allocated to the sector but by 2016, was deducted to eight percent. He said this has affected the sector critically.

He also said that the reason for the strike was the failure of the government in carrying out their own part in the 2009 agreement and also failure in the implementation of the 2015 Memorandum of Understanding.

"There shall be no teaching, no examination, no attendance of statutory meeting in any of our branches while the strike lasts. "said the President of the union. He also said there will be machineries put in place to make sure that there is total compliance during the strike.

He also said that the essence of warning befor the strike was to draw attention of concerned stake holders and the general public  to the challenges that the unions, Universities and other stake holders were facing.

"We are doing because we want Nigerians to come into the matter and ensude that these issues are given adequate attention they deserve.

He added, "our lecturers are given 40% of their salaries and this is not encouraging as  this will lead to poor commitment in carrying out their jobs.

" I am sure nobody will like a 40% University  education or a 40% teaching of various courses including research and various output."

"That is why we have to take the matter before the National Assembly which we believe, will come into the matter just like the Nigerian parents."

The National Parents Teacher association also said that the ASUU is right and must be supported.

The deputy president of the association, Adeolu Ogunbanjo also said that it was time the government takes the countries education seriously.

"ASUU has done well by giving warning considering the patience its members have shown in this whole issues. "

" At least it is good for them to feel the pulse of the Nigerians and other key stakeholders on the matter".

"However, because Nigeria is struggling with recession presently, we, on behalf of Nigerian parents are begging them not to down tool totally. "

" They have made their points and we thank them for making the awareness but we are begging them to shelve the looming strike to sometime next year when the recession might have been abated. "

" Government too should seize the opportunity and listen to the union and see what can be done concerning all the issues it has raised."

"It will be a total disaster if government should allow ASUU to down tool indefinitely considering the hardship that is currently taking its toll on every sector of the nation’s economy."

Mr Ogunbanjo also said that a full-fledged strike would not be welcomed by majority of Nigerians in the current situation but will only bring mor grief to the masses.