By Comrade Gbenga Olowoyo fcia fipma JP
“The man dies in him who keeps silence in the face of tyranny” “insensitivity and Exclusion”- Wole Soyinka
The above popular assertion made by Professor Wole Soyinka a Nobel laureate as part of his prison note succinctly captured the mood of the moment in the lives of Nigerian students because of the lingering and ongoing embarrassing and destiny killing ASUU strike in Nigeria
It is not only a crime against humanity but also a betrayal of trust on the part of Nigerian Government and lack of directional approach by all stakeholders in the management of our tertiary institutions in Nigeria.
As a matter of concern the ongoing strike action is a monumental embarrassment in the face of international community indicating that Nigerian Government have no capacity to resolve an existing crisis in the education subsector- Tertiary institutions let alone the entire Education Sector.
In my article of 9th May 2022 entitled “conspiracy theory and generation wastage- who is at the receiving end , who is
benefitting and who do we blame” l chronicled major strikes that have taken place only within our democratic lifespan between 1999-2022 it is painful to re-emphasize once again that within two and half years (i.e 30 months between January 2020- June 2022) our tertiary institutions have witnessed total number of 13 months strike and still counting, this is abysmal Leadership failure, betrayal of trust between leadership and followership expectations.
It is unimaginable that political class have subjugated and muscled the high expectations of adult group to the growth and development of Human Resource Development that would have been achieved through quality and uniterrrupted education programme, shamelessly the political class still continue to show and flaunt wealth even more than Nigeria state through stealing and misappropriation of billions and Trillion of Naira.
The elite class comprising the egg heads, Traditional ruler council, opinion Leaders part of which comprise reputable investors who will in turn need the services of these undergraduates, have decided to keep mute in the face of this ASUU/ FGN- protracted crisis inflicted on Nigeria by demented and unapologetic disposition of people saddled with the management of this sector and those appointed to manage envisaged crisis between management and employees of government businesses i.e Federal Ministry of Labour, Employment and Productivity.
The silence of Minister of Education Mallam Adamu Adamu is an indication that he is either senile or deliberately wicked for not showing concern to these hapless Nigerian youths and students.
It is not unexpected that former Minister of State for Education Dr Nwajiuba decided to pursue personal presidential ambition of aspiring to be President of of Nigeria; it is a clear indication that he was pursuing personal interest even as a Minister of State for Education. Can you imagine he was trying to satisfy his political benefactor when he said he did not know why ASUU was on strike.
Over the years the political class have confiscated the potency of National Association of Nigerian Students hence, Nigerian Government could dare them with insensitive and “l don care” attitude to their plights to the extent that within 30 months Nigeria Public Universities have witnessed 13 months strike ; what a failed nation, what a failed system, what a failed leadership what a failed generational leadership, what a failed confidence and trust.
At this juncture, why is it difficult for the Traditional rulers across the country majority of them are not only highly educated, exposed worldwide but also Educationists in their own right could have kept quiet over the lingering ASUU strike but have time to receive Presidential hopefuls and other political juggernauts but kept silence in the face of unfair treatment to Nigerian students and youths whose future are being mortgaged and destroyed by heartless key players in education system.
How Dr Chris Ngige who is a Medical Doctor will be feeling when he has subjected over 13 millions Nigerian students to psychological depression, frustration and hopelessness if within two and half years the Nigeria universities have wasted one year one month to strike action; this is a total failure.
This singular development will continue to be a serious scar to the government of the day and personalities involved in the coup against future generation of this country; characters like Mallam Adamu Adamu Minister of Education, shameless Dr Nwajiuba the erstwhile Minister of State for Education, Dr Chris Ngige Minister of Labour Employment and Productivity, Minister of State for Labour Employment and Productivity, Barrister Festus keyamo and other faceless saboteurs in the Education Sector should know and remember that there is another tomorrow.
For instance, the voice of Senate President Dr Ahmed Lawan added to the credence of insincerity on the part of Government when he said that the ASUU/Federal Government agreement signed was done in error and therefore unimplementable when the leadership of NANS paid him a courtesy visit on 10th May 2022. This is a clear indication that the taciturn disposition of notable Nigerians is a naked gang up to destroy the citadel of learning that produced these opportunists: their attitude is likened to the axiom and proverbial saying that “after using the ladder to climb to your destination you now chose to destroy it to deny others”
It is very expedient to bring my knowledge to bear on the 2009 ASUU/ FGN-agreement that the agreement was an outcome of rigorous and energy sapping exercise that involved notable stakeholders in education sector who had the authority of Federal Government and constantly consulting at every stage before the agreement was signed; why then is the agreement now becoming a scaring document for government to implement even at interval or peace meal.
The university of Calabar branch of ASUU issued a press release titled ” The Gaffe by the Senate President and stated inter alia that “The Senate president’s comments as per the suspension of our patriotic strike while negotiations are on-going, and the supposed unimplementability of collectively bargained agreements are hereby unequivocally condemned. The suggestions by him are a political trick taken too far. The political class of Nigeria needs to understand that this knowledge apartheid that is deliberately being promoted in favour of their children and the children of their cronies, who are feeding fat on the blood of the nation, will come back to haunt them soon”.
“ASUU is determined this time around to wait in the trenches for as long as it takes government to commence payment of a decent wage regime to university lecturers, commensurate with those of their counterparts, at least in Africa, and adequately fund public universities” the statement submitted
The Calabar ASUU further stated that “It is important for Nigerians to note, that the same government that midwifed the amnesty programme to bring stability to the once restive oil rich Niger Delta region is the one that signed the 2009 ASUU/FGN Agreement. Isn’t it curious that while the amnesty programme is being successfully prosecuted by successive governments, the ASUU/FGN 2009 Agreement is still being tossed like a ping pong across the table, only to be dubbed “unimplementable” and “unrealistic” by hypocritical government agents thirteen years after?
” As a matter of fact, the Senate President’s tone smacks of insincerity and deception on the part of government in resolving the present ASUU/FG dispute. The Senate President’s unfortunate remarks betray the direction the so-called “negotiations” are headed. This could clearly be deduced from the fact of his calling on our irrepressible Union to suspend our patriotic action while negotiations are on-going. He pleaded with the NANS leadership not to disrupt political activities. Obviously, that is where his interest lies” Calabar ASUU stated
However, it is not out of place to appreciate the Federal Government for the release of N34 Billion for the payment of minimum wage arrears of members of ASUU and other tertiary institutions unions members; ASUU members N23.5 billion, polytechnic members N6 billion, colleges of education N4 billion; members of polythenic, inter university centre workers among others will be beneficiaries.
What now happens to the 2009 ASUU) FGN agreement which is seen to be a very strong albatross in the agitations of ASUU and other sister unions in the tertiary institutions; this is becoming embarrassing.
Inspite of the Federal Government release of the above analysed N34 Billion for the payment of minimum wage arrears; ASUU is still of the opinion that Government has not attended to any of their main agitations, the National President of ASUU Professor Osodeke said that Federal Government failure to satisfactorily implement the memorandum of understanding ( of action) it signed in December 2020 on funding for the revitalisation of Public Universities( both Federal and State) revisitation of the 2009 ASUU agreement and deployment of UTAS, hence the strike will continue unabatedly.
To this end several notable individuals and concerned parents have been appealing to both Federal Government and ASUU to shift ground because of the suffering students, parents and guardians who are the major victims of this strike action
For instance, the Zamfara State Commissioner of Religious Affairs and Chief Imam of Muslims Foundation Jumu’at Mosque in Gusau, the State capital, Dr. Muhammad Tukur Sani Jangebe, urged the Federal Government to as a matter of fact address the demands of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).
According to him, the strike was seriously affecting the entire teaching and learning system among students and their lecturers across the country.
“The Federal Government should look into negotiating with ASUU and bringing back our children to their respective universities for them to continue with their studies.
“Everyone knows that the contribution teachers are giving to nation building can never be overemphasised and we are calling on the government to provide a mechanism to boost their morale,” he said.
Also, a governorship aspirant in Ebonyi state senator Julius Ucha canvassed for the release of 50% of total money generated from total sales by political parties to solve part of the tertiary institutions problems.
The hopeful news came through the National President of ASUU Professor Osodeke who revealed last week that “the Academic Staff Union of Universities, Joint Action Committee of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions have resumed negotiation with Prof Nimi Briggs Committee.
Speaking in an interview with The PUNCH on Sunday, the ASUU’s National President, Prof Emmanuel Osodeke, said the union had been negotiating with the Briggs Committee since last week over its demands.
It will recalled that painfully, ASUU commenced its ongoing strike on February 14, 2022 after the Federal Government failed to meet some of its demands namely; the release of revitalisation funds for universities, renegotiation of the 2009 FGN/ASUU agreement, release of earned allowances for university lecturers, and deployment of the University Transparency and Accountability Solution payment platform.
It will also be recalled that on March 7, 2022, the Federal Government inaugurated a seven-man committee chaired by the Pro-Chancellor of Alex Ekweme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike, Prof Nimi Briggs.
The committee, which is expected to review the proposed FGN/ASUU Agreement, has its terms of reference, some of which include; to liaise and consult with relevant stakeholders to finalise the position of the FG to the issues in the draft proposed FGN/ASUU renegotiated agreement; renegotiate in realistic and workable terms the 2009 agreements with other university-based unions; and negotiate and recommend any other issue the committee deems relevant to reposition the National Universities Commission for global competitiveness.
“ASUU disclosed that the negotiation is between ASUU and the Briggs Committee and agreement should be negotiated quietly. When we reach an agreement, we will come to the press. We hope this approach/ negotiation will solve the problem so that by next week, we will brief Nigerians. Give us a little time.”
When asked if ASUU would call off the strike soon, Osodeke said, “We don’t know until we finish the negotiation.”
Although, the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnic(ASUP) has directed its members to resume work on Monday, May 30, 2022, following the expiration of its two-week strike.
The union said it took the decision following some progress made with the Federal Government regarding its demands.
ASUP, in a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Abdullahi Yalwa disclosed that the government had met four of its demands.
It said the decision to resume work was to give the federal government more time to meet the remaining five demands.
The statement reads: “The two weeks definite strike of the union will be rounding off on the 29th of May, 2022 as agreed by the emergency meeting of NEC.
“Consequently, the union is requesting
members to resume duties effective 30th of May, 2022 while hoping that government will take advantage of the window to address the five outstanding items.
Another frustrating information was given by the Chairman of the union’s branch at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Dr. Adeola Egbedokun, confirmed that the Federal Government stopped paying the salaries of striking lecturers since March 2022.
Dr. Egbedokun said, “The last time they paid us was February. Since March, they stopped paying the salaries.”
Another lecturer at the institution also confirmed the non-payment of the salaries.
Speaking further, Dr. Egbedokun said, “We’re used to it. The non-payment of salaries cannot break us.”
When asked about the next move of the union over the ongoing strike and the minimum wage arrears reportedly paid to the lecturers, the Chairman said that the wage arrears were statutory by the law and had nothing to do with their current agitations, saying, “If you observe, ASUU has not said anything about it, we decided not to, it is not the crux of our agitation.”
“What we’re expecting the government to do now is to come forward with a proposal, in response to the submitted renegotiated document, which has been with the government since May 2021. This time, we’re not signing or interested in any Memorandum or Agreement again. Let them come forward with a proposal in response to the renegotiated document, and let’s see how we can consider it.”
The National President, Academic Staff Union of Universities, Prof Emmanuel Osodeke, on Thursday noted that the union would not call off the industrial action if the federal government refuse to attend to their demand.
ASUU in its demands has called for the renegotiation of the ASUU/FG 2009 agreement and the sustainability of the university autonomy by deploying UTAS to replace the government’s “imposed” (IPPIS).
Also in its demands is the release of the reports of visitation panels to federal universities, distortions in salary payment challenges, funding for revitalisation of public universities, earned academic allowance, poor funding of state universities and promotion arrears.
Osodeke on Thursday said there won’t be a need to call off the strike despite the federal releasing N34 billion for the payment of consequential adjustment for a minimum wage of workers in the education system.
He further stated that the N34 billion released was not part of their demands.
Osodeke also sympathised with university students over the prolonged strike by the union.
According to Osodeke, the students are suffering for Nigeria’s future and education system.
The ASUU president said the students were not being punished but paying the price to ensure that Nigeria had a good education
The minister, while giving an update on the ongoing strike, said committees were set up during the last tripartite meeting of the government and university based unions.
He said they were given a fortnight to turn in their report, adding they were still working and the reports of the committees were being expected at the end of the week.
“Those committees are working. The one on NITDA is testing the three platforms, the government’s Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS).
“Also the University Transparency Accountability Solution (UTAS) of ASUU and the Universities Peculiar Personnel Payroll System (UPPPS) of the non-teaching staff.
The threat by the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) Zone D, airports if the face-off between the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and the Federal Government continued is seen as empty threat apart from pocket if protest that have no significant impact on the part of insensitive and irresponsive political leaders.
Although NANS was able to send serious admonision that it was time both parties came together to resolve the issues leading to the strike as students were at the receiving end.
“We are planning to block government organisations that generate money for them if the ASUU issue is not resolved.
ASUU insist that “for the avoidance of doubt, the demands of our Union are the conclusion of the renegotiation of the 2009 FGN/ASUU Agreement, abrogation of the fraudulent and corrupt IPPIS scheme and the deployment of UTAS, payment of promotion arrears, the proliferation of State Universities and governance issues amongst others where do we go from here.
What are the tasks before Nigerian elites, all and sundries in order to find parmanent solution to this annually celebrated ASUU strike in Nigerian universities:
1, Need to address the perennial ASUU and other unions in tertiary institutions in Nigeria .
2, NANS toothless bull dog approach to issues that concerned lives and future of Nigerian students and youths need to be reviewed.
3, ASUU, ASUP, SSANU, NASU NAAT and other existing Unions in our tertiary institutions need to review their approaches to issues that concerned their members and the institutions funding without toiling and damaging academic lifespan of their students
4, Government insincerity in the implementation mutual agreement entered into during negotiations needs to be revisited and be given second thought .
5, Taciturnity of critical stakeholders, such as CSOs, interest groups, parents and guardians, effective platforms of Human right advocate among others.
6, Consider the source of Increase in insecurity
7, Consider rising in Crimes rates associated with idleness and social exclusion of Youths. The Youths had felt betrayed
It is a commendable attempt but derisive to Government to hear that Berekete family host, a worldwide popular radio station programme in Abuja have resolved to begin N18 billion fundraiser to end ASUU strike. The is the level of social and leadership decadence that those saddled with governance have turned the country into.
Individual can steal and misappropriate Billions of Nigeria Naira while government institutions will be suffering of lack of fund to run office and meet other critical issues.
Honestly speaking, government is sitting on the keg of gun powder, the situation is no more acceptable, Federal Government should declare state of emergency in Education Sector
Enough of coup against Nigerian students and youths.
Time to rescue Nigerian youths and Education Sector is now.
Comrade Gbenga Olowoyo fcia fipma JP
(Trade Unionist and lndustrial Relations Practitioner)
gbengaolowoyo3@gmail.com
08033570338