Stop further strikes in Nigeria, ASUU warned *As it suspends its two-week warning strlke

By Austin Genesis 

Some concerned Patriotic Nigerians have advised the Academic Staff Union of Universities to stop further strikes in the country owing to it's unbearable consequences.

Speaking on condition of anonymity with Global Overseer shortly after ASUU called off its two-week warning strike,  they enjoined  ASUU leadership  to always use their wisdom and intelligent to dialogue with the appropriate authorities at all times to addressing their demands, rather than opting for strike.

They also caution ASUU leaders not to be confrontational or play politics with education in country through frequent strikes aimed with deliberate intentions to derail the educational system of the public  universities.

They outlined the adverse effects of ASUU's frequent strikes to include  lecturers interruption on research timelines, publication schedules, and grant opportunities; while for students, it creates learning gaps and lowers educational quality. 

Another critical effect of ASUU strikes they said is the delay in student graduation, which has long-term socio-economic implications.

Also, it had a negative effect on students' learning abilities, lost of preparedness and readiness to learn at the time of strike; hence their educational attainment became adversely affected, adding to the

destabilization of   calendar of universities activities and as well quality of learning.

But, the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) had said on Wednesday that it has suspended its two-week warning strike with immediate effect following progress in some of its demands. 

ASUU President, Christopher Piwuna announced the suspension of the strike at ASUU’s national secretariat at the University of Abuja. 

He said that the suspension followed progress in talks with government officials concerning their outstanding issues. 

“NEC hopes that the government will take advantage of the suspension to resolve the issues, especially the 2009 agreement. 

“Should the government fail to resolve these issues ASUU will not hesitate to resume the strike,” Piwuna said. 

The union declared a two – week warning strike on October 12 to press home its demands.

Piwuna said the union would not have embarked on the strike if the Federal Government had responded to its demands. 

Piwuna listed ASUU’s seven demands as the re-negotiation of the 2009 ASUU-FGN Agreement, sustainable funding of public universities, revitalisation of universities, an end to the alleged victimisation of ASUU members in LASU, KSU (now Prince Abubakar Audu University) and FUTO, payment of outstanding 25–35% salary arrears, settlement of promotion arrears spanning over four years, and remittance of outstanding third-party deductions.

But, the concerned Patriotic Nigerians admonished ASUU leaders to use their wisdom, education acumen and experience approach government resolved any time they have issues, noting their awareness that education is the bedrock of development in every society.

They also advised the federal government led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to address address ASUU'S genuine demands immediately.