ASUU begins warning strike in Yobe June 8, don says varsity autonomy will end ASUU/FG conflict

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Yobe State chapter, is set to commence a two-week warning strike in Damaturu from Tuesday, June 8, 2021.

ASUU resorted to the strike due, reportedly, to government’s failure to meet its members’ demands. Chairman of ASUU in the state, Mohammed Saje, in a letter to the Vice Chancellor, Yobe State University (YSU), Prof. Mala Daura, disclosed: “I wish to inform you that the ASUU Congress has resolved and directed its members to embark on a warning strike on Tuesday, June 8, 2021” if their demands are not met.

HOWEVER, Chairman of the Presidential Visitation Panel for Modibbo Adama University (MAU), Professor David Ker, has said that the only way to end the face-off between government and lecturers is to grant universities full autonomy.

Ker, who spoke to journalists yesterday in Yola after concluding his assignment, pointed out that universities’ governing councils were the only legal body to take final decision on matters affecting the institutions.

“Governing council appointed by government is the right body to make decisions. It represented federal or state government in the universities they are appointed to head. So, allow them to run the universities. This will end government and universities’ union face-off, which is affecting the academic calendar,” he said.

On the Single Treasury Account (TSA), he said the scheme would under-develop universities because of some vital issues not captured by the new payment scheme.

The former Vice Chancellor of Benue State University (BSU), Makurdi, and Medical University, Abuja, pointed out that the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) was initiated by ASUU and that government bought the idea to promote university education.

“Today, if TETFund is not in place, 90 per cent of tertiary institutions in Nigeria will not survive. When you visit a higher institution, you would see the signature of TETFund everywhere on the campus. It is a great idea from ASUU,” he stated.

Ker commended President Muhammadu Buhari for the approval of a medical school for MAU, noting that, with the facility, medical challenges facing people of the North East would be tackled.