ASUU, SSANU, TUC blame FG’s insincerity, insensitivity for prolonged strike

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Nnamdi Azikiwe University (Unizik), Awka, Anambra State, led by Steve Ufoaroh, has blamed the Federal Government’s (FG) insincerity and insensitivity for a prolonged strike by the union.

In an interview with The Guardian, Ufoaroh condemned the apathy of the government, culminating in the warning protest and strike, wondering why the government is foot-dragging on the implementation of the 2009 ASUU/FG agreement.

He disclosed that it is unfair for students, lecturers, parents, school authorities and stakeholders to bear the brunt of the failure of the political class.

According to him, it is unfair for students to have been at home for more than five months, arising of the prolonged strike, stressing that the development has had an adverse effect on prospective admission seekers and existing graduates, who are due for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme.

Ufoaroh noted that the tendency of the government to hide its insincerity and insensitivity under the canopy of setting up one review committee and the other is a bad omen.

The ASUU boss appreciated the solidarity of the organised labour unions, which, he noted, helped expose the seeming poor attitude of government officials to engage in meaningful negotiation and bargaining.

Contributing, the Secretary of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), Bonny Ozonkwaku, condemned the imposition of the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) on universities instead of the University Transparency and Accountability Solution (UTAS), arguing that rather than cure fraud, it has become a fraudulent system itself.

On his part, the State Chairman of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) of Nigeria, Chris Ogbonna, attributed the insensitivity factor to the fact that most politicians and public office holders have their children and/or wards studying abroad where modern and conducive educational facilities exist.

Ogbonna observed that the political class focuses more on the election and getting into power than on providing adequate security, curbing corruption, alleviating poverty, improving livelihood and advancing the economic interests of Nigerians.