Workers in Nigerian universities under the auspices
of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities has threatened to
embark on a nationwide strike over what they described an ‘obnoxious circular’
by the National Universities Commission.
The union therefore gave the Federal Government till
Wednesday April 28, 2015, apparently one month within which it should address
the issues or face industrial action in all the federal and state universities
across the country.
The union said the circular was a mischief to
obliterate the sanctity of its agreement with the Federal Government.
The position of SSANU is contained in a communiqué
dispatched to journalists on Sunday in Abuja, after its National Executive
Council meeting, held at Obudu Mountain Resort in Cross River State.
In the communiqué signed by its President, Samson
Ugwoke, and Public Relations Officer, Mr. N.A.D. Aboribo, SSANU accused the NUC
of unilaterally expunging through a circular the aspect of the agreement on
university demonstration staff schools.
Besides, the union regretted the failure of the
government to pay the outstanding arrears of the earned allowances and most
especially the political statements being made by government functionaries
about the payment, which has put serious pressure on the leadership of the
union at the national and branch level.
SSANU also condemned the lackadaisical attitude of
the Federal Government in implementing the 2009 agreement, despite its
persistent call on the government and the Implementation Monitoring Committee
for the full implementation and payment of the arrears of the earned allowance.
The communiqué read, “SSANU called for the full
implementation and renegotiation of the 2009 agreement to forestall the disruption
of the present smooth academic activities in the university system. We view
with very grave concern, the actions of some government agencies in
collaboration with certain selfish vice-chancellors to obliterate the sanctity
of the 2009 FGN/university-based unions’ agreement by unilaterally expunging
through a circular from the NUC the aspect of the agreement on university
demonstration staff schools.
“SSANU-NEC-in-session hereby demands the immediate
withdrawal of the obnoxious circular. For the avoidance of doubt, if by April
28, 2015, the circular has not been withdrawn by the NUC, the union will take
labour action against the Federal Government. We frown on the overbearing
attitude and unnecessary roles of the NIC in this regard.”
SSANU also warned the NUC to stop its undue meddling
and interference in the affairs of the universities, so as not to overheat the
Nigerian university system.
While demanding that the agreement should be
implemented without further delay, the union criticized the continuous refusal
of the Federal Government to renegotiate the said agreement “which is long
overdue.”
The NEC-in-session warns Federal Government on the
dangers of its insensitive stand on the matter, saying it was capable of
completely eroding the relative peace in our universities.
“SSANU therefore urged the Federal Government to put
machinery in place for the renegotiation of this agreement without any further
delay.”
The union also warned against the victimization of
its members and officers in various universities, and especially called for the
reinstatement of 19 members of the union who were sacked at the Adekunle Ajasin
University, Akungba-Akoko.
The union commended the Nigerian Armed Forces and
its foreign allies for the recapture of most areas occupied by the Boko Haram
terrorists in the north-eastern part of the country. SSANU called on the
Federal Government to continue to adequately equip them and review Nigeria
foreign policies with its neighbouring countries.
Speaking on the 2015 general election, the union
condemned the hate speeches and unnecessary political killings currently being
experienced in the build up to the 2015 general elections. The union urged
politicians to place before Nigerians issue-based campaigns play the game by
the rules and avoid violence.
SSANU also called on the Independent National
Electoral Commission to ensure that the elections were free, fair and credible.
Source:PunchNg
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