WHY UNILORIN MUST JOIN ASUU [OPINION CORNER]

Another issue that calls for concern is the situation at the University of Ilorin. UNILORIN has over the years also failed to join National strike action by ASUU. It is saddening to note that UNILORIN (a federal University) which is set to benefit from the one hundred billion largesse of the FG as a result of the struggle by ASUU is carrying on with its normal academic activity while other Schools are on strike.

On Monday, 1st July, 2013, Nigerian Students woke up to the reality that the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) was proceeding on another industrial action to press home their demands from the Government. Having been a witness of two previous strike actions by ASUU (June, 2009- October, 2009) as well as December 4, 2011-February 2nd, 2012), it did not come as a surprise to someone like me but only reminded me of the sorry situation that now engulfs the Nigerian State in which agreements are no longer sacrosanct. The GEJ led Government has overtime demonstrated its penchant for honouring agreement reached with workers Union and so I felt it was just one of those low-points in our polity. More than ninety (90) days into the strike, unfortunately, it appears that a solution to the intractable crises is far from near thus leaving Nigerian Students to languish at home. Indeed, Nigerian Students have thus been left at the Mercy of GEJ and the Dr Isa Faggae led ASUU.

The strike action has once again forced Nigerian Students to become idle hands. Day in day out, we read of undergraduates involved in prostitution, armed robbery, drug-related offences and so on (needless to say we students pay dearly whenever ASUU proceeds on strike). In as much as I support ASUU in their demands for improved infrastructure in our ivory towers, payment of Earned allowances, adjustment of retirement age as well as other  demands, the modus operandi and circumstances surrounding the strike has thrown up a lot of questions which are begging for answers.

According to the Press statement by the ASUU President, Dr Isa Faggae at the commencement of the strike, ASUU expressed its solidarity with lecturers at the Rivers State University of Science and Technology (RSUST).  RSUST lecturers have been at logger heads with the Governor of Rivers state, Rt Hon Chibuike Amaechi over the re-appointment of Prof B.B Fakae as Vice-Chancellor of the institution. ASUU alleged that his appointment did not follow due process in the first instance and that he shouldn’t be considered for reappointment, while I am not against expressing solidarity to compatriots in struggle, what amuses me however is that ASUU is fighting on behalf of people who themselves are not fighting. It is unfortunate and saddening that while ASUU national body proclaimed a nationwide strike to force the FG honour the agreement, lecturers at RSUST have been carrying on as if all is well. They disregarded ASUU’s national directive and are currently
teaching their Students. What then is the stake of ASUU regarding the crises at RSUST? Is ASUU not crying more than the bereaved?

Another issue that calls for concern is the situation at the University of Ilorin. UNILORIN has over the years also failed to join National strike action by ASUU. It is saddening to note that UNILORIN (a Federal university) which is set to benefit from the one hundred billion largesse of the FG as a result of the struggle by ASUU is carrying on with its normal academic activity while other schools are on strike. Are some animals more equal than the other?  ASUU UNILORIN is not sweating yet they are set to reap from the sweat of others, I believe this ought not to be so. Lest I forget, ASUU is also demanding that the re-engaged UNILORIN 49 gets their salary, allowances and entitlements for sabbatical leave and promotions yet the lecturers are not participating in the National strike. This appears to me like the case of ‘’Monkey dey work, both baboon and Monkey dey chop’’.

The on-going strike actions have also raised posers about the involvement of state Varsities in the strike action. Knowing fully well that State Varsities are not under the control of the FG, it is therefore worrisome that State Universities are participating in a strike action that favours mostly Federal Universities and their staff. State Varsities were only co-opted into the gains of the current struggle in 2012, why then did they participate in the past strike actions by ASUU when they were not affected?  Is it a case of solidarity? If they are solidarising with Federal workers, will Federal workers also reciprocate when it comes to their turn?

I still foresee bigger crises in state Universities by the time National ASUU calls off their own strike action as state lecturers will have to go back to their state Government to get their own Earned allowances, adjustment to retirement age and other sundry issues in the 2009 FGN/ASUU agreement. This was what happened after National ASUU called off its own strike action in February last year only for some state Universities to continue for as many more months. I believe State Governments are not bound by any agreement between the FG and workers and thus state lecturers should forthwith enter negotiations with their respective state Government to avoid another round of strike action in the State Universities.

It is therefore my opinion that ASUU needs to explain why its struggles will benefit RSUST and UNILORIN yet they didn’t down tools as directed. Let me also use this opportunity to plead with the FG to not for anything else but for the sake of its honour and giving an Independence gift to Nigerian Students honour its agreement with not only ASUU but other Staff Unions such as the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), College of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU), Senior staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the Non-academic staff Union (NASU). These agreements seek to place our tertiary institutions back on the path of greatness and it should be faithfully and judiciously implemented.