The Academic Staff Union of Universities on Tuesday outlined steps the Buhari government must take to end its six-month-long academic strike.
ASSU president, prof. Emmanuel Osodeke who made the disclosure while speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today, absolved the teacher’s union of blame, insisting that the government must exhibit transparency.
“Government should tell us and Nigerians – the money that has been alleged to have been approved for revitalisation – how much is it and where is it lodged? When will it be released?” Prof Osodeke said.
He further stated that the government must clearly state its position on the University Transparency and Accountability Solution (UTAS), a payroll system which ASUU wants as a replacement for the Integrated Payroll and Personnel information system (IPPIS).
“Three, have they accepted the agreement we reached with their panel? They should come and tell us this, and not go to the press,” Osodeke added.
The ASUU President accused the Federal Government of appealing to sensibilities rather than solving the issues raised by the union.
“Strike is a symptom of a problem,” Prof Osodeke said. “Any day you sort out that problem, you will not have strike.”
-$23m Abacha loot should be used to meet our demands
Asked if the federal government is making the right decision on the recovered loot amid the lingering ASUU strike, the university don said the federal government would have deployed the recovered loot to education if the government loves the sector.
“Definitely. Let’s use a typical man as an example, you have a house and your child is sick seriously and you were paid money that you were not expecting. Where will you put the money?” the ASUU president asked.
“That child should be the first thing you will treat. Is it not? Before you will start thinking about how you are going to buy clothes.
“Your universities are shut for six months. You now have access to a fund you were not expecting, If you really love education, where should you put the money? In that particular place. They said they don’t have money. We need to love this country.”
On the report that ASUU had stopped negotiations with the federal government, Osodeke said: “In Nigeria, we have so many media — social media and what have you. They just release issues just to get popularity. We never said so. We are open to negotiations and invitations as a union.”
ASUU has been on strike since February 14.
On Monday, the union declared a “total and indefinite” extension of its industrial action, noting that the government has failed to satisfactorily meets its demands.
The academics are seeking improved welfare, revitalisation of public universities, and academic autonomy among other demands.
With Channel Television report
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