Latest ASUU News On Resumption, ASUU Strike Update Today, 12th September 2022
Flippstack has compiled the latest ASUU news on the current strike embarked on by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), a Nigerian union of university academic staff. Latest ASUU News On Resumption 12th September 2022
This means the latest asuu strike news, asuu strike update today, asuu news, asuu latest strike news, asuu latest news on resumption, asuu strike update, and all asuu news stories compiled by Flippstack can be accessed on this page
Below is the latest Asuu strike update, asuu latest news on resumption and ASUU strike news today, Monday, 12th September 2022
Latest ASUU News On Resumption 12th September 2022
ASUU Strike: UNIBEN Staff Commits Suicide
A member of staff of the University of Benin (UNIBEN), Prince Carter Oshodin, on Friday committed suicide over his dire financial situation.
The deceased, who was a data entry personnel at the university, had not been paid his salary for months due to the strike action embarked by university unions.
According to Punch, the Non-Academic staff Union, to which Oshodin belonged, had called off its strike recently, but the members had yet to be paid their salaries.
A professor at the University, who would not want his name mentioned due to the emotional nature of the case, lamented the disheartening situation of striking lecturers since its union began the industrial action.
He also wondered why those who called off their strike are still not been paid by the government.
He said; “Yes, he is our staff that killed himself due to lack of money. Even some months ago, he was quoted to have been advising people on coping strategies and yet he took his life which has put his family in a bigger problem.
We have been no dime since we went on strike. This is the 10th of September, and the non-academic staff that has since resumed have not been paid anything. Boko Haram! No to Western Education.”
Another colleague simply known Edwards said the deceased on his Facebook lamented that he could not meet his financial needs and was finding it increasingly difficult to pay his two daughters’ school fees!
ASUU: FG Drags Striking Lecturers To Court
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) had been dragged to the Industrial Court by the Federal government over its lingering strike action which has kept students at home for nearly seven months.
Flippstack understands that ASUU has been on strike since February 14th of 2022 to press home its numerous demands to the Federal Government, which include payment of earned allowances and salaries for lecturers, improved funding and maintenance for tertiary institutions, the adoption of the University Transparency and Accountability system (UTAS) for salary payment instead of the government’s Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS), the renegotiation of the ASUU FG 2009 agreement, among others.
However, several negotiations between the union and the government have ended in deadlock.
Sources at the federal ministry of Labour told ThisDay on Friday that the ministry’s Trade Dispute Department had filed a case before the Industrial Arbitration Court in Abuja and that the hearing would commence next Monday.
According to the source, “The federal government has filed a case at the Industrial Court challenging the continued strike by the university teachers. This conforms with Section 17 of the Trade Dispute Act.”
Talks between the federal government and ASUU finally hit the rocks last Tuesday after both sides met at the National University Commission’s office in Abuja.
The federal government had said that it would not sign any other agreement it cannot implement.
Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu, made this known meeting of Pro-Chancellors and Vice Chancellors of Federal Universities, held at the NUC’s office.
ASUU Strike: FG Tells Nigerian Students To Apply For Scholarships Abroad
In the face of the prolonged strike action by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), the Federal Government through the National Universities Commission (NUC) has admonished qualified Nigerians to apply for scholarships abroad.
Public universities across the country have been closed for seven months now as a result of unsettled disputes between the government and lecturers over some demands of the lecturers.
While the strike lingers, a letter signed by the Deputy Executive Secretary, Administration of the NUC, Chris Maiyaki, and addressed to all vice-chancellors, admonished qualified students to embrace an initiative of the government of the United Kingdom to study abroad.
The letter explained that the British High Commission announced the call for applications for the scholarships to study in the UK, which opened on 2nd August 2022 and closes on 1 November 2022.
The scholarships according to the letter, are fully funded to individuals from any background who demonstrate the requisite skills and commitment necessary to bring about positive change.
Maiyaki urged the Vice-Chancellors to as a matter of urgency ensure the wide circulation of the scholarships application in their various universities.
Interested individuals are expected to submit their applications via the official website only.
ASUU Strike: FG Insists On No-Work-No-Pay
The Federal Government on Saturday insisted on no-work-no-pay following the lingering industrial action of the Academic Staff Union Universities (ASUU).
The Minister of State for Education, Goodluck Nanah Opiah claimed that the strike has caused more pain for parents and students.
According to Opiah, President Muhammadu Buhari has done a lot to resolve the strike.
Opiah while speaking at the Federal University Lokoja, Kogi State, said Buhari has done so much on infrastructural development in all higher institutions in Nigeria.
The minister said, “The Federal Government cannot pay lecturers for what they did not work for. The strike has continued to portray the country in a bad light and has succeeded in causing more pain for parents and students.
“The Federal Government led by President Muhammadu Buhari has done so much, especially in infrastructural development in our tertiary institution. Because anywhere you go, you will see the presence of TETFUND, buildings, vehicles, and all manners of institutional assets.
“Those who think that lack of infrastructure is one of the reasons they went on strike should think again. Mr. Vice Chancellor, let me use this opportunity to appeal to you, to also appeal to our lecturers to come back to work because our children are suffering.
“Our country’s image is going lower. Our parents are not happy, and these lecturers are also parents of some of our students. Contrary to what they think, some of us also have our Children in Nigeria Universities and they are also suffering.
“Although, if we stay on strike forever, it means our Children will be out of School forever. It is not in our interest. There is nothing that has gone wrong that we cannot get corrected through dialogue. I know that almost everything that ASUU brought forth for discussion between the Federal Government has been resolved.
“Except that, now that ASUU wants to be paid for all the six months that they were absent from duty. And the Federal Government is saying no we cannot pay for those days you did not work. For once, let us activate the principle of no work no natural pay. It is only a thief that goes to eat where he didn’t work.
“And so if there should be any appeal for Federal Government to do otherwise, Lecturers should come back to the classroom to beg and appeal and renegotiate because this thing is no longer funny”.
Strike: Buhari told to sell 8 presidential jets, pay ASUU
President Muhammadu Buhari has been advised on how to resolve the prolonged strike embarked upon by the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU.
Buhari was urged to sell eight jets in his presidential fleet and use the proceeds to meet the demands of ASUU.
This suggestion was made by a former aide to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, Reno Omokri, in a series of tweets.
Omokri pointed out that the Nigerian presidential fleet was worth over $200 million, while ASUU demanded less than $100 million.
He faulted the fact that the presidential fleet has about 10 jets to serve one president.
According to Omokri: “How much is ASUU asking for? Less than $100 million to fund universities. Buhari has 10 Presidential jets worth over $200 million.
“Why not sell eight and use the money for ASUU? The British PM does not have an official jet. These are the kinds of things Atiku would do!
“Nigeria has no national airline to serve 210 million people. But we have 10 Presidential jets to serve 1 President. No, be juju be that?
“That is why ASUU is adamant. Money is not our problem. Our issue is how we spend the little money we have! Atiku will change that!”
ASUU had been on strike since February 2022 over the government’s refusal to meet a 2019 agreement.
Part of the face-off is due to the government’s insistence on using IPPIS against UTAS to pay lecturers.
Meanwhile, ASUU had declared an indefinite strike following a breakdown of negotiations with the government.
ASUU strike: FG should have used $23m Abacha loot to meet our demands – Lecturers
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has said the federal government should have used the recovered $23million Abacha loot to meet its demands.
ASUU president, Emmanuel Osodeke, stated this on Tuesday during an interview on Channels Television.
Last Tuesday, the federal government and the US reached an agreement to repatriate a new batch of funds looted by the former Nigerian Head of State, Sani Abacha.
The Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, claimed the recovered loot will be used for the completion of the Abuja-Kano road, Lagos-Ibadan expressway, and the Second Niger Bridge.
But Osodeke said: “Let’s use a typical man as an example, you have a house and your child is seriously sick and you were paid money that you were not expecting. Where will you put the money?
“That child should be the first thing you will treat. Is it not? Before you will start thinking about how you are going to buy clothes.
“Your universities are shut for six months. You now have access to a fund you were not expecting, If you really love education, where should you put the money? In that particular place. They said they don’t have money. We need to love this country.”
Latest ASUU News On Resumption 12th September 2022
ASUU Gives FG New Condition To End Strike
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) on Wednesday outlined new conditions to end its lingering industrial action.
The strike which was declared on the 14th of February lasted for six months.
The President of ASUU, Emmanuel Osodeke while speaking on Channels TV called on the Federal Government to tell Nigerians the money it approved for revitalization, how much the money is and when it would be released.
Osodeke called on the Federal Government to be transparent on its position on the University Transparency and Accountability Solution (UTAS).
He advised the government to confirm if it has accepted the agreement ASUU had with their panel.
The ASUU President urged the Federal Government to come and tell the union if they have agreed and not address the press.
Osodeke said, “Government should tell us and Nigerians – the money that has been alleged to have been approved for revitalization – how much is it and where is it lodged? When will it be released?
“Three, have they accepted the agreement we reached with their panel? They should come and tell us this, and not go to the press.
“Strike is a symptom of a problem. Any day you sort out that problem, you will not have strike.”
Why We Embarked On Total, Indefinite Strike – ASUU
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has revealed the reason it converted the roll-over strike into a comprehensive and indefinite strike.
Members of NEC decided not to call off the six-month-old strike that entered the 197th day after most ASUU chapters voted that the strike should continue.
In a statement on Monday, ASUU President, Emmanuel Osodeke, said the ongoing strike has turned into an indefinite strike after the federal government failed to meet all its demands.
The ASUU President asserted that the indefinite strike begins at 12:01am on Tuesday, stressing that the purpose of its strike action is to save public universities from dying.
He said the union empathizes with the students, their parents, as well as other stakeholders over the comprehensive, total and indefinite strike.
Osodeke added that ASUU reaffirms its belief in the sanctity of a stable academic system.
The statement reads: “ASUU NEC noted with pains, its concerns for Nigerian students who are also our wards and foster children and condemned Government’s seeming indifference to their plights. The Union empathizes with the students, their parents, as well as other stakeholders (including our colleagues who are undertaking their higher degrees) in the universities. ASUU reaffirms its belief in the sanctity of a stable academic system.
“Were it within our control, our universities would never have been shut for one day! However, ASUU was forced into taking this painful decision to prevent members of the Nigerian children from the ruling class and their foreign collaborators from further destroying whatever is left of our public universities. We are all victims.
“We need the understanding, solidarity and sacrifices of all to ensure that every qualified Nigerian youth who cannot afford the cost of private university education or foreign studies has unhindered access to quality university education. ASUU strikes are aimed at saving public education, and ensuring that Governments (Federal and State) use our common patrimony to support quality public university education. This is our collective obligation.
“In view of the foregoing, and following extensive deliberations on the government’s response to the resolution of 14th February 2022 so far, NEC concluded that the demands of the union had not been satisfactorily addressed.
“Consequently, NEC resolved to transmute the roll-over strike to a comprehensive, total and indefinite strike action beginning from 12.01a.m. on Monday, 29th August 2022.”
‘ASUU Is A Very Useless Union, They Should Be Scrapped’ – Gov. El-Rufai’s Son
Bashir, one of the sons of Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has described the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) as a ‘useless’ union that should be dissolved.
Naija News reports that Bashir El-Rufai called on the Federal government to scrap ASUU, following the prolonged strike by members of the union.
In a post shared on the microblogging platform, Twitter, Bashir described the academic union as useless and should be scrapped and replaced with educators who care about students.
He tweeted: “ASUU is a very useless Union. They should be scrapped & replaced with educators that actually give a damn about students and how that translates to the future of this country.”
Meanwhile, ASUU has decided to extend its ongoing strike after a series of heated discussions.
According to the PUNCH, the decision was taken after the National Executive Council meeting at the union’s headquarters at the University of Abuja on Monday morning. Latest ASUU News On Resumption 12th September 2022
ASUU NEC In Crucial Meeting Over Strike
The National Executive Council (NEC) of the striking Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) is currently meeting in Abuja over the lingering strike.
Flippstack reports that the meeting, which started on Sunday night and slid into Monday morning, is taking place at its National Headquarters at the University of Abuja.
Members of NEC would decide if they would call off the six-month strike or continue with the industrial action that entered the 196th day on Monday (today).
As of the time of filing this report, the meeting was still ongoing amidst anxiety that the union may extend the strike based on the resolution of most of its branches.
A member of the NEC, who wants to be anonymous, told The Punch in Abuja that most local congresses held their meetings last week and voted for strike extension.
“We expect nothing less. Most of the congresses voted for an indefinite strike. The NEC takes decisions based on the reports from branches,” he said.
Another member said, “I can confidently tell you that the majority of ASUU branches across the country voted for an indefinite strike. Over 90% voted for an indefinite strike.”
Recall that ASUU commenced a nationwide industrial action on February 14 and has refused to end the strike due to the failure of the Federal Government to attend to its demands.
The major demands of the lecturers include the renegotiation of the 2009 agreement and the replacement of IPPIS with UTAS.
Meanwhile, the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Allied Institutions (NASU), and the National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT) have suspended their strike actions.
Emulate Jonathan’s Method To Resolve Strike, ASUU President Urges FG
Emmanuel Osodeke, president of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), has urged the federal government to emulate former President Goodluck Jonathan in resolving the lingering industrial action.
The strike, which began on February 16, is a result of the government’s inability to fully address the union’s demands.
The industrial action has lasted for more than six months with the federal government, through the education and labour ministers, finding it difficult to reach a resolution.
Speaking on the way forward, Osodeke, in an interview with AIT’s Focus Nigeria, said the immediate past administration engaged the union in a 14-hour negotiation to resolve the issue.
He said the government of the day should set up a committee comprising people who love the country and can negotiate dispassionately.
“Government should for once go the way of Goodluck Jonathan. And in one night, we had that meeting for 14 hours,” he said.
“Open. Both sides were open, with no class, no power, and no sitting power, and we looked at all the issues and we resolved it within 14 hours.
“If this government can put out a strong team, if the president cannot be there, let him put a strong team together or people who are not part of those who are telling lies presently.
“People who love this country. They don’t have to be in government. If you can put this thing together and we meet to look at how we can resolve this national problem.”
ASUU to discipline members for sharing palliatives from Orji Kalu
Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, MOUAU, chapter, has disowned its members that visited Senator Orji Kalu recently at his Igbere country home.
The union, in a statement issued yesterday, in Umuahia, dissociated itself from the said visit, which it said it was not privy to and never authorized.
In the statement, jointly signed by the Chairman, Professor Michael Ugwuene, and Secretary, Paul Nwiyi, the branch vowed to probe the said visit and discipline those found culpable.
“ASUU MOUAU hereby dissociates itself from the aforementioned visit and the consequent palliative sharing,” the statement said.
It further read: “The attention of ASUU MOUAU, has been drawn to reports in the media about the visit by some academic staff of MOUAU to Senator Orji Uzor Kalu at his Igbere home, where according to the reports, the striking lecturers” were given palliatives and enjoined to end the strike.
“The public is hereby enjoined to take notice that ASUU MOUAU was not aware of, was not invited, and did not authorize or approve any such visit and did not request for, neither did it receive any palliatives from Senator Orji Uzor Kalu.
“ASUU MOUAU, hereby assures the National Executive Council of ASUU that the branch is investigating the visit and the members of the branch found culpable shall be subjected to the disciplinary process of the union.”
Meanwhile, the union, in a separate statement, rejected the proposed 35 percent and 25 percent salary increases for professors and other ranks, respectively.
ASUU States Conditions To End Strike Immediately
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), on Thursday, revealed how the Federal Government can resolve its lingering strike in one day.
The National President of the union, Emmanuel Osodeke, said the industrial action will end if the federal government prioritizes its demands.
Osodeke during an interview on Arise TV said leaders in Nigeria would look for an end to the strike if their children were schooled in the country.
He further stated that if the children of Nigerian leaders are schooled in the country they will feel the suffering that they are going through.
The ASUU president charged Government to prioritize education like Nnamdi Azikiwe and Awolowo and older leaders did in the past.
Frustrated Parents Decide To Assist Buhari Govt Financially In Generating Income For ASUU
The National Parent-Teacher Association of Nigeria (NAPTAN) has sought the audience of the Federal Government over the ongoing Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) industrial action.
The parents are proposing to assist with the demands of the union by offering to pay a levy of N10, 000 per session to help the government in making more funds available for universities.
NAPTAN’s Public Relations Officer, Dr. Ademola Ekundayo, disclosed this during an interview with PUNCH on Tuesday.
Ekundayo, while complaining about the prolonged strike, said parents were at the receiving end of the continuous battle between ASUU and the government.
He said, “We have submitted a letter to the Office of the Education Minister, seeking for the audience where we hope to discuss a proposal.
“We are proposing a sum of N10, 000 per parent every session that will be directly paid to the universities. That will be our own contribution apart from other statutory payments in making more funds available to the universities.
“It can be called parent support levy for universities. We are at the receiving end of the industrial action. We plead with the ASUU and Federal Government to immediately resolve their differences.”