Nigerians are probably getting used to the seasonal strike the Academic Staff Union of Universities perennially embarks upon.
This practice which has practically rendered the general academic calendar of Nigerian Universities virtually unpredictable thus watering down the standard and authenticity of any Nigerian University’s certificate is really down great harm to the future of Nigeria’s next generation of leaders.
It is important to state at this point that Nigeria students have suffered for too long on this issue of academic strike which ends up affecting the number of years they have to spend in the Universities. For many, a four year programme usually ends up becoming five, six years.
To better understand how tired Nigerians students have become, a look at the reactions of some students on twitter a while ago when it seemed a prank was played by the handler of the Union’s twitter handle falsely tweeted a reply to a question asked if Nigerians were thinking of going on another 3 months strike:
The union said this via its official Twitter handle, in reply to a question.
“Thinking of going on another 3 months strike action,” it wrote.
Thinking of going on another 3 months strike action.. https://t.co/wiF05MBEdu
— Official_ASUU (@ASUUNGR) May 23, 2019
While it wasn’t clear if the union was joking, the tweet did not go down well with many Nigerians.
While some said the post was “useless”, others used some unprintable words while attacking the union.
Below are some of the reactions to the tweets:
SmartDreamer@dreaming_smartReplying to @bit_masta @ASUUNGR
What if Thunder strikes ASUU before they strike ?9118:06 AM – Mar 3, 2019Twitter Ads info and privacy138 people are talking about this
EMMANOVIC@rudekat25Replying to @bit_masta @ASUUNGR
Is this one April Fool?…
We’re not in April yet…
No do Nonsense…..598:06 AM – Mar 3, 2019 · Abia, NigeriaTwitter Ads info and privacySee EMMANOVIC’s other Tweets
DatYorubaBabe@TifiFolakemiReplying to @bit_masta @ASUUNGR
This asuu no try at all298:03 AM – Mar 3, 2019Twitter Ads info and privacySee DatYorubaBabe’s other Tweets
Ganikale Abdulwasih Ola’s (Kunle/Tunde)@GanikaleAbdulw1Replying to @bit_masta @ASUUNGR
Dear ASUU, is there no other way to manipulating FG to adhere to your demands than going on strike ? This incessant strike is having effect on the students.
Honestly you are there for your interests only.Find another way to get your demand not strike all time498:35 AM – Mar 3, 2019Twitter Ads info and privacySee Ganikale Abdulwasih Ola’s (Kunle/Tunde)’s other Tweets
Blessing GENTLELORD@EdwardOfodileReplying to @bit_masta @ASUUNGR
Please do if there is a bridge in negotiations.This politicians are not interested in the common mans development.They will always make funds available for themselves but bring in policies when it comes to the Masses.
Please do thanks.#Nigeria, #atikuobi2019 ,#NigeriaHasDecided448:09 AM – Mar 3, 2019Twitter Ads info and privacySee Blessing GENTLELORD’s other TweetsView image on Twitter
ST EPH EN@Onah_JrrReplying to @bit_masta @ASUUNGR
@ASUUNGR Is this some kinda joke?149:42 AM – Mar 3, 2019See ST EPH EN’s other TweetsTwitter Ads info and privacy
Klemztina@klemztinaReplying to @bit_masta @ASUUNGR
My school hasn’t even resume since d last strike…ASUU wat is it na???410:54 AM – Mar 3, 2019Twitter Ads info and privacySee Klemztina’s other Tweets
Kelvin kelz@Kelvinkelz6Replying to @bit_masta @ASUUNGR
Better remove it from your thoughts218:29 AM – Mar 3, 2019Twitter Ads info and privacySee Kelvin kelz’s other Tweets
A census of graduates within the past decade reveal that that there is no one who didn’t experience one ASUU strike or more during their academic pursuit.
Just this Saturday, 25th May, the Academic Staff Union of Universities urged the Federal Government to release the N25bn it approved for university lecturers.
ASUU President, Prof Biola Ogunyemi, stated this at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State during a valedictory lecture and book presentation by the former Vice Chancellor of Micheal Okpara University, Umudike, Prof Ikenna Onyido.
He said members of the union were getting impatient daily over the delay, saying there would be a point the union leadership would no longer be able to stop members from taking action.
He expressed worry over the development, accusing the Federal Government of reneging on its promises.
He however debunked reports of plans by ASUU to embark on industrial action over the matter.
He said, “ASUU has not said it is going on strike. What we said was the reported N25bn the Federal Government said it had approved, we’ve not seen it.
“When we signed the memorandum of action with the government on 7th February, we agreed that by 28th February, the N25bn would be released, and government signed it. We’re yet to see it three months after.
“That’s why we’re saying that government has defaulted and if our members come up with any decision because government has defaulted, the leadership can’t stop them. That’s the challenge we have.
“We’re only calling on Nigerians to prevail on government to make good its promises and not just to tell us about paper release. Let’s see the actual release.”
The minister of education, Adamu Adamu had during a valedictory press conference in Abuja, said the Federal Government had approved a N25bn for members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities.
From fore-going anyone can see the red flag dangling high and this definitely the best time for eminent Nigerians to plead with the Federal Government to do the needful in order to avoid another possible full blown show down with the academic union.
It should be noted here that the above mentioned amount was part of the agreement reached upon by both the federal government and the Union in January after a protracted industrial action which began November last year and lasted for three months.
Earlier this month, the rumours of another impending strike to be embarked upon by the Union went out like wide fire but the union was quick to dispel it.
The on Monday 4th May distanced itself from reports of its members embarking on another industrial action.
The reports had it then that ASUU was thinking of embarking on another industrial action.
However, the National President of the ASUU, Prof. Biodun Ogunyemi, dismissed the report as false.
In a tweet via its official Twitter handle, Ogunyemi was quoted as saying: “Disclaimer: The Academic Staff Union of Universities has denied embarking on another strike or making any fresh demands.
“The president of the union, Professor Biodun Ogunyemi in an interview yesterday said the reports that the union had embarked on another strike are false.
“Please disregard such news.
But how close is this information to a strike blowing up? Anyone conversant with the Nigerian system will know that these indications are as good being taken seriously. We all know it doesn’t take the Union too long to declare a warning strike and then an indefinite strike!
This is to urge the Federal Government to do the needful, release the agreed funds rather than plunging the nation into another full blown nationwide ASUU shutdown. We have had enough of this.
Source: dailyadvent