The Academic Staff Union of Universities has on Tuesday addressed members of the Press regarding the recent issue of half payment of Salaries to its members.
This was done in a statement issued by the Union's President, Professor Emmanuel Osodoke, after the conclusion of the National Executive Committee( NEC)meeting held in Abuja late Monday.
In the Statement titled “ We are intellectuals not casual workers”, Prof.Osodoke disclosed that in the course of the meeting, the Union deliberated on developments since the suspension of Strike and further lamented and condemned the act of Federal Government in paying academics on a “pro rata” basis.
He further commended members of the Union and appealed to Nigerian Students , Parents and other genuinely concerned individuals and groups for their understanding.
Although the Meeting ended with a resolution not to venture into another strike action, It was also gathered that the house was divided on the proposal to embark on a Comprehensive strike again, as majority were against the action, saying that it was not the best option for now, considering the current situation.
According to a Vanguard report,” the statement released by the Speaker of the House of Representatives,Femi Gbajabiamila,to the effect that government would not pay members full salaries as they were being expected,was said to have further deflated the argument by those who had pushed for strike as a last option”
To this end, All Campus Show Laments the huge failure of the system being that the Minister of Education and Labor are no longer involved as it were supposed to be. Rather, Speaker of the House of Representatives Olufemi Hakeem Gbajabiamila has saddled himself the responsibility of mediating between both Parties.
All Campus Show reports that If ASUU eventually embarks on strike again, it will still not yield positive results. From every observation, we perceive that the Federal government is seriously trying to kick against the enhancement of Educational Standards in Federal institutions which is a part of the fight.
In a bid to conquer, FG further display actions that will in turn instigate and frustrate lecturers into taking such action like strike , thereby keeping the schools locked up-( FG’s intention) ASUU as Intellectuals should therefore be encouraged and awakened to these schemes.
By Melanie Joel