Group blames incessant ASUU strike for dwindling education

A social group, Iko Udama, has said that the recurring strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) had contributed to the dwindling standard of education in Nigeria.

The Chairman of the group, Mr Amodu Achema, in an interview with our correspondent in Abuja, on Sunday, described the ongoing strike as unfortunate.

“When we hear that the standard of education is dropping, the incessant strike is a remote cause.”

“I remember our days in the university, even though there were strikes, it cannot be compared to what is happening today.”

“For the best part of last year, ASUU was on strike and now they have embarked on another strike,” Achema said.

He said that it was time the lingering issues between ASUU and the Federal Government were tackled, to restore the glory of public universities.

Achema expressed worry over the ongoing one-month warning strike, saying, ”it is our prayer that government steps in as it had promised to.

“The two parties should come together and reconcile their differences once and for all.”

“There should be a meeting point, because ASUU members, who are staff of public universities, and the students are our children,” he said.

On petrol, the chairman said the trend had shown that whenever there was a discussion around fuel subsidy, queues would build up.

According to him, decisive action should be taken on the matter, whether to remove subsidy or not and palliatives should be provided to tackle the immediate shock it would cause.

“Right now as a country, we only export crude oil, we do not refine because our refineries are not working.”

“It is our prayers, therefore, that government will do the needful, so that this issue was sorted out once and for all.”

“I urge the Federal Government to make public the outcome of its investigation into how toxic fuel made its way into the country and those responsible should be punished to serve as deterrent,” he said.

On the Iko Dama Club, the chairman said it was established to ensure integration and provision of a social net for those in need.

He further stated that the group had life insurance for members and scholarship from primary school through higher institutions. for children of the poor.

Achema noted that the group was partnering with Paul and Mary Achimugu Foundation, with funding currently sourced from members.

He, however, called for more partnerships to help achieve its vision through its chapters in Abuja, Kaduna and Kogi.The Trade Union Congress (TUC) on Sunday threatened to withdraw its members if the current fuel scarcity persists across the country.

Mr Mohammad Yunusa, National Treasurer of TUC, said this in an interview with newsmen during the just concluded delegate conference of the Senior Staff Association of Statutory Corporations and Government-Owned Companies (SSASCGO).

Yunusa, who is also the immediate past President-General of the union, called on the Federal Government to identify and punish those that caused the fuel scarcity.

“We will soon direct workers to stop going to work if the challenge of fuel scarcity across the country persists for the next few days.”

“The congress also demanded that President Muhammadu Buhari should swing into action by identifying and punishing those who caused the scarcity that has brought untold hardship upon Nigerians.”

“The union’s position is very clear. Those who caused this scarcity should be identified and punished very well.”

“The position of SSASCGOC … is workers should stop going to work until there is enough fuel to take them to work.”

“This is the way to do it. We are waiting for our centre to respond to our position but our position in SSASCGOC is that there is no need to go to work and when there is regular supply, then we will start going to work,” he said.

Yunusa, while speaking on the current strike embarked upon by members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), called on the Federal Government to fulfill the Memorandum of Understanding it signed with the union.

He noted that the major problem unionism had in Nigeria was that lack of constructive engagements with government.

“Let’s look at the case of ASUU, they are talking about the agreement they entered with Federal Government many years back and up till now government has not fulfilled it.”

“Over the years because there is no constructive engagements, it is when you call out your members on strike that government will listen to you,” he said.

The union leader while commending the new elected officials of SSASCGOC implored them to make workers welfare a priority.

Our correspondent reports the new elected executive members included Mr Surajudeen Alakija as its new President-General.

Others are Mr Suleman Aminu, elected as the Deputy President-General, Mr Benjamin Olaka and Francisca Adedayo, emerged as the first and second vice presidents-general, respectively.

Also elected were Mr Mukthar Adikwu, National Treasurer, Mr Samuel Ajakaye, Internal Auditor, Ogechi James, the Public Relations Officer, while Ajayi Lateef, Yewande Cole and Jubril Isah emerged as the trustees of the association.