Posted by By CHRIS ANUCHA on
Chairman, Ibadan branch of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Dr. Ademola Aremu, has shed light on why the varsity teachers suspended their negotiation with the federal government over the on-going strike, attributing it to the issue of mandate of the President-elect, Alhaji Unar Yar'adua.
Chairman, Ibadan branch of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Dr. Ademola Aremu, has shed light on why the varsity teachers suspended their negotiation with the federal government over the on-going strike, attributing it to the issue of mandate of the President-elect, Alhaji Unar Yar'adua.
Aremu, in a chat with newsmen at the send-forth ceremony organized by the University of Ibadan (U.I) for its former Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration), Professor Abiola Odejide and former Registrar, Chief Mrs Moji Ladipo, pointed out that anything agreed upon between the university teachers and the federal government may not be binding on the in-coming government of Yar'adua.
'The problem we have is that of mandate. If they agree with us now, will Yar'adua abide with that agreement? Obasanjo is going on May 29. Everybody is now talking of May 29. Nothing reasonable is being done now. Nobody is thinking of anything again. So, calling the strike off will only make us a laughing stock. I think we are in a confused state", Aremu stated.
He faulted the claim that ASUU's grievances was basically about the remuneration of its members, saying the crisis went beyond the issue of members welfare but about the whole university system and how it should be run.
'Obasanjo went abroad and told Nigerians there to come back home. But we ask him to go and find out how much they are collecting there before he asks them to come home. Can he pay them the equivalent of what they are collecting there? We told officials of National University Commission (NUC) to go to universities in African countries like Lesotho, Botswana, South Africa, even Niger and see their universities and how they are being run. 'In Nigeria, the government only act before thinking.
All their so-called reforms are now being reversed. They could not continue with most of them again."
So, our agitation is not just about bread and butter alone. It is about the whole system", he added.
But in his speech earlier at the occasion, which held at Trenchard Hall of the institution, Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council, University of Ibadan, Mr Gamaliel Onosode, stated that the on-going strike by ASUU could hardly be justified considering the series of negotiations the dons have had with all parties involved in the education sector since April 17.
He disclosed that the negotiation committee, which he headed and the ASUU officials had agreed that urgent steps be taken to stem the decay and restore international standards with regard to facilities for teaching, research and community service.
'It is our firm belief that all of these would contribute in no small measure to stemming brain drain until it ceases to be an issue. We have had fruitful exchanges and ASUU, which returned to the negotiation table since April 17, should by now be aware that, quite apart from its deleterious effect on our university system, and the future of our children, continuing with and prolonging the current strike can hardly be justified," Onosode stated.