Another round of strike looms in Nigerian Varsities.
– Steve Ovirih.
Except a proactive step is taken to convince non- teaching staff of Nigerian universities to sheathe their sword and return to the table for dialogue, another paralysis of activities in Nigerian ivory towers is a strong probability.
A notice of an indefinite strike has already been issued by the Joint Action Committee of Non – Teaching staff in Nigerian Universities (NASU) and the total strike will begin on February 5.
According to the National President of Senior Staff Association ( SSANU) , Comrade Mohammed Ibrahim, who addressed newsmen alongside the General Secretary of NASU, Comrade Peters Adeyemi, they said of the seven labour issues presented to Federal Government, only one of them has been resolved and even it was partially resolved, so to speak, while government has refused to attend to the remaining six. They said while Government entered a memorandum of understanding with NASU on October 20, 2020, the agreement reached has up till date been jettisoned. They noted that there is still inconsistences in IPPS payment and delay in the negotiation of FGN/ASUU/SSANU 2009 Agreement. The Non Academic Staff also noted that there has not been a consistent payment of retirement benefits to former members as well as non Constitution of visitation panels to universities. Other issues are poor funding of universities and the usurping of the headship of non teaching units by others who do not belong to SSANU.
The body noted that after the Congress held by its branches last Tuesday, 90 percent of unit members supported the strike action while 10 percent voted against it and 6 percent chose to be indifferent.
The body said two weeks notice ahead of the strike is given for government to strive to avert it failure upon which a total, indefinite and comprehensive strike will be embarked on.
