Stakeholders Voice Out Their Concern On The Lingering Strike

Some stakeholders in the Education sector have expressed different views on the contending issues as the strike embarked upon by the Academic Staff Union of Universities lingers. In separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigerian(NANS) their views were expressed

ASUU had on November 4 embarked on what it described as a ‘total, comprehensive and indefinite strike’ until the FG agrees to their terms

Prof. Kabir Akinyemi of the Faculty of Science, Lagos State University (LASU) said that the demands of ASUU were not outrageous like the FG made it seem.

He said “ASUU cannot be treated like other unions in the country because in most cases, ASUU is always in the right direction in all aspects of life,”

Akinyemi urged the government to resume negotiation with the union as soon as possible for the interest of Nigerians, especially students and parents.

“I am sure that when the negotiation gets to a reasonable point with sincerity and there is a commitment from the government, ASUU will definitely shift ground,” he said.

Aderoju said this was because the strike was no longer a veritable tool for negotiation in the global world.

He noted that for the nation to overcome frequent strikes by lecturers and other unions, ASUU must demand proper accountability and openness from the ruling government.

“ASUU’s concern should be why the elected politicians in the country who are not more than 11, 800 should be feeding fat on the resources meant for over 170 million Nigerians.

“If the government is open, the strike can be prevented not only for ASUU but also for all other labour unions.

“Once government at all levels show to all, what they make and how they share the resources among the various sectors, then the citizens and unions could be prevailed upon to endure,” he said.

Mr Olayinka Aderoju, Vice – Principal, Nigeria Tulip International College, Ogun branch said while the lecturers could not be blamed for demanding for their entitlement and better funding of the universities, embarking on strike was still not the best option.

A parent also expressed displeasure on the manner at which the strike had been allowed to linger and why the government and the union should neglect the negotiation table at the detriment of the students’ future.

She said since education was the bedrock of development in every nation and also a right and not a privilege of a citizen, it must be seen and treated as such by the government, ASUU and other stakeholders.

“As parents, we are unhappy with the development and seeing our children stay at home for two months now has been disheartening.

“We are, however, begging the government and ASUU to shift ground and resolve their differences by the first week in January 2019 for the sake of the students, so that they can resume school,” she said.

A Student, Ayomide Kazeem of the Faculty

Mr Olayinka Aderoju, Vice – Principal, Nigeria Tulip International College, Ogun branch said while the lecturers could not be blamed for demanding for their entitlement and better funding of the universities, embarking on strike was still not the best option.