UNN, UniAbuja join ASUU strike

The academic staff of the University of Nigeria Nsukka, UNN,
have joined the on-going nationwide strike embarked upon by the
Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, on Monday.

Ifeanyichukwu Abada, the Chairman of ASUU-UNN, made this
disclosure at a news briefing on Wednesday in Nsukka, shortly after
the union’s congress attended by members from Enugu and Nsukka
campuses.

The union leader said that members had unanimously agreed to
join the nationwide strike declared by ASUU at the national
level.

He said the strike was to press home the union’s demands, as
contained in 2009 and 2013 agreement, signed by the federal
government and the union, but which the government had yet to
implement.
Mr. Abada said the congress noted with concern and disappointment
the non-payment of academic allowances and the non-release of
operational licence.

He also listed the union’s demands to include, the
non-implementation of the provision of 2014 Pension Reform Act with
respect to retired professors and their salaries.

“Having exhausted all avenues to get the government to
fully implement the 2009 FGN-ASUU agreement and the 2013 MoU, ASUU
resolved to embark on a total, comprehensive and indefinite
strike,” Mr. Abada said.

He said members during the congress agreed that the strike would
be total and comprehensive, as all forms of academic activities had
been suspended.

“Members are advised to adhere strictly to the directive of
ASUU, on the ongoing strike, as defaulting members will be brought
to book,’’ he said.

He, however, called for the support of parents and students,
saying that the strike was targeted at providing necessary
infrastructure that would make universities in the country
conducive for teaching and learning.

“Parents should know that we are fighting for them, as well as
it is in the interest of students and we regret any inconvenience
this strike may cause students and their parents,’’ he said.
Also, lecturers at the University of Abuja, on Wednesday,
officially joined ASUU strike.

The UniAbuja ASUU Chairman, Ben Ugheoke, told the News Agency of
Nigeria, NAN, that the academic staff took the decision to join the
strike after a meeting with its members on Wednesday.

“We have domesticated the total indefinite strike. The strike is
on now,’’ he said.

NAN reports that the situation in and around the campus shows
that academic staff had abandoned classes while students were seen
roaming about.

Some students, who spoke with NAN, said that the strike would
affect the academic calendar, as their examination was just around
the corner.

A 300-level Political Science student, Ifeoma Anyanwu, said that
the examination, which had been earlier scheduled to start next
week, would no longer hold due to the strike.

NAN recalls that ASUU on August 14, embarked on an indefinite
strike to demand the implementation of an agreement signed between
it and the Federal on conditions of service, funding, university
autonomy and academic freedom.

(NAN)

The academic staff of the University of Nigeria Nsukka, UNN,
have joined the on-going nationwide strike embarked upon by the
Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, on Monday.

Ifeanyichukwu Abada, the Chairman of ASUU-UNN, made this
disclosure at a news briefing on Wednesday in Nsukka, shortly after
the union’s congress attended by members from Enugu and Nsukka
campuses.

The union leader said that members had unanimously agreed to
join the nationwide strike declared by ASUU at the national
level.

He said the strike was to press home the union’s demands, as
contained in 2009 and 2013 agreement, signed by the federal
government and the union, but which the government had yet to
implement.
Mr. Abada said the congress noted with concern and disappointment
the non-payment of academic allowances and the non-release of
operational licence.

He also listed the union’s demands to include, the
non-implementation of the provision of 2014 Pension Reform Act with
respect to retired professors and their salaries.

“Having exhausted all avenues to get the government to
fully implement the 2009 FGN-ASUU agreement and the 2013 MoU, ASUU
resolved to embark on a total, comprehensive and indefinite
strike,” Mr. Abada said.

He said members during the congress agreed that the strike would
be total and comprehensive, as all forms of academic activities had
been suspended.

“Members are advised to adhere strictly to the directive of
ASUU, on the ongoing strike, as defaulting members will be brought
to book,’’ he said.

He, however, called for the support of parents and students,
saying that the strike was targeted at providing necessary
infrastructure that would make universities in the country
conducive for teaching and learning.

“Parents should know that we are fighting for them, as well as
it is in the interest of students and we regret any inconvenience
this strike may cause students and their parents,’’ he said.
Also, lecturers at the University of Abuja, on Wednesday,
officially joined ASUU strike.

The UniAbuja ASUU Chairman, Ben Ugheoke, told the News Agency of
Nigeria, NAN, that the academic staff took the decision to join the
strike after a meeting with its members on Wednesday.

“We have domesticated the total indefinite strike. The strike is
on now,’’ he said.

NAN reports that the situation in and around the campus shows
that academic staff had abandoned classes while students were seen
roaming about.

Some students, who spoke with NAN, said that the strike would
affect the academic calendar, as their examination was just around
the corner.

A 300-level Political Science student, Ifeoma Anyanwu, said that
the examination, which had been earlier scheduled to start next
week, would no longer hold due to the strike.

NAN recalls that ASUU on August 14, embarked on an indefinite
strike to demand the implementation of an agreement signed between
it and the Federal on conditions of service, funding, university
autonomy and academic freedom.

(NAN)