ℹ️ BOOM🔥🔥ASUU SET TO COMMENCE TWO-WEEKS WARNING STRIKE.
1 minutes read ⏱️ 9:54am
By Prof Hølå Isååç ☦️
The University of Jos chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has revealed the reasons behind its proposed industrial action, warning that the union may no longer be able to guarantee the industrial peace enjoyed in recent years if the Federal Government continues to ignore its demands.
The meeting, held on Friday in Jos, was convened by the union’s Students’ Relations Committee to foster direct engagement with student representatives and shed light on the issues pushing ASUU toward another strike.
Addressing the student leaders, Prof. Jurbe Molwus, Chairperson of the ASUU chapter, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to meet with the students, describing the dialogue as timely and necessary. He explained that the meeting aimed to draw the attention of stakeholders to the Federal Government’s continued neglect of critical agreements and funding commitments to the education sector.
Molwus stated that while ASUU had maintained industrial harmony for the past two years, it had come at a great cost to the welfare and wellbeing of its members, who continue to face delayed entitlements and withheld allowances.
“ASUU is worried that it may no longer be able to sustain the industrial peace that has prevailed recently. The federal government may be proud of the calm, but it has been achieved at the expense of our members’ welfare. We have suffered persistent denial of our entitlements,” he said.
He reminded the public that the union had issued a 14-day ultimatum, which expires on October 13, after which a two-week warning strike would commence if the government fails to act. According to him, the decision was taken at the union’s National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held on September 28 in Abuja.
He stressed that ASUU’s demands were not personal, but intended to strengthen Nigeria’s university system. The demands include the immediate release of the revitalisation fund, signing and implementation of the 2009 agreement, payment of promotion arrears and responsibility allowances withheld under IPPIS, reinstatement of victimised members, payment of 23/35 per cent wage awards, and the release of three months’ withheld salaries.
Speaking on behalf of the students, Miss Jane Pwajok, President of the University of Jos Students’ Union Government (SUG), commended ASUU for the interactive session, describing it as an eye-opener that offered students a clearer understanding of the lingering issues between the union and the government.
She praised the union’s consistency in fighting for a better university system but appealed for alternative strategies that would not disrupt academic activities.
Pwajok noted that while students appreciate ASUU’s sacrifices over the years, many fear that another strike could derail their academic calendar and prolong their stay in school.
© Prof Hølå Isååç ☦️
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