By Yusuf Adua
The Academic Staff Union of Universities has said it will not back out of the ongoing indefinite strike until the government dances to its tune.
The association restated its position through a statement signed by its president Emmanuel Osodeke on Thursday and made available to News Live Nigeria.
According to the statement, the union’s tight-fisted approach to the negotiation with the federal government of Nigeria has begun to yield productive fruits.
Members of the union have held five meetings with the federal government alongside another two with the honourable minister of education.
FATE OF THE MEMBERS
The association lauded the doggedness of its members during this difficult time.
” Members are particularly applauded for keeping faith with the union despite the hardship imposed on our families as a result of the stoppage of our salaries.
You have made the statement loud and clear that we are not beggars”, the statement reads adding that the union had demonstrated that the government cannot use hunger to disassemble the members’ resolve.
The 16-week-old strike according to ASUU will not cease until the renegotiation of the 2009 ASUU–FGN agreement and other thorny deliberations are satisfactorily addressed.
The association, however, forewarned its members, not to be swayed by misinformation and distortion of facts among other sundry acts that could jeopardise the relentless efforts of the union and its members thus far.
“UTAS has been tested for the third time.
So far, NITDA has tested the UTAS and UsPs and will begin that of IPPIS next week. We are undeterred by the antic of some officials in this respect”, the statement added.
WHAT ARE PEOPLE SAYING?
Though the union did say that they are close to the finish line of the struggle, Nigerians have taken to Twitter to react to this prolonged disadvantage that affects every stakeholder in the university system:
@kokothecreator_ felt that the ongoing strike should be the end of it all when he said ” After this strike ehh, if Una strike again, I’ll know something is seriously wrong with all of you. I swear to God”.
@JohnNguper had other ideas, he does not believe that the union is operating to protect the interest of the common student, “Aluta Continua indeed… You guys are not serious, you’re only concerned about your money, the provocative aspect is, none of your wards’ are schooling in public universities🤧… Make una keep testing things, oshey tester💔🤣”
In the view of @Chyma_Ferdinand, it is sarcastic for anyone to have prophesied that the strike would be called off anytime soon. “Aswrrr.. na the pastor wah prophecy say them go call off strike today I day wait for 😂😒💔”, he said.
While @yo_archer join the league of frustrated Nigerians who are bothered about the ASUU misfortune when he commented, “What are they saying?? Please tell us what we want to hear”, they will still have to wait for much longer.