The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Lagos State
University (LASU) Chapter says it will comply fully to the nationwide
lecturers strike declared by its national body within 48 hours.
One
of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) Helicopters during a test landing
exercise in readiness for emergency medical and rescue Operations at the
Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Ikeja, on Wednesday,
February 17, 2016,
Dr Adeolu Oyekan, Assistant Secretary, ASUU-LASU made the disclosure
in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on
Monday.
Oyekan said that while there was already a substantial compliance to
the strike by its members, total compliance would begin after the
chapter holds its congress within the next 24 to 48 hours.
He said skeletal academic work was still ongoing in the campus adding
that members were still waiting for congress decision before embarking
on the strike.
According to him, the union executives have used other available
platform to reach out to its members on the decision of the National
Executive Council (NEC).
“Already, there is a substantial compliance from our members, but for
the sake of formality, we will convey congress within the next 24 to 48
hours to brief our members.
“As you are aware that NEC is the supreme organ of our union and the
directives said the strike commence immediately and in total.
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“Our members from the feelers we got so far had complied but we expect total compliance from tomorrow’’.
Oyekan noted that LASU was known to always comply substantively with
the directive of its national leadership and do not envisage any breech
from its members.
“Any of our members you may see around now, are probably those who are yet to get information of the strike.
“For those who have received the information, they have started staying off the classroom even before we call the congress’’.
Oyekan said that the union’s strike monitoring committee would begin
duty from Wednesday to ensure that members comply fully as directed.
He said that the monitoring committee would also pick members who flout the national body directive for appropriate sanction.
Mr Samuel Olalere, President, LASU Students Union (LASUSU), also
confirmed to NAN that the strike had not commenced fully in the campus
because ASUU-LASU chapter was yet to hold its congress.
Olalere said that academic activities were still ongoing in the institution campus.
He however, urged government to meet the demands of the union as soon
as possible for the benefit of the education system and to prevent the
strike from lingering.
Prof. Olanrewaju Fagbohun, Vice -Chancellor, LASU in an interview
with NAN urged ASUU and the Federal Government not to allow a breakdown
of the education system.
Fagbohun said the union and the government must also return to the
negotiation table and continue to actively discuss the issues
constructively towards resolving them.
He said that what was happening between the union and the government was not unusual as the demands were not out of place.
“The unions are seeking for an improvement in the standard and quality of education.
“When you also look at the government, it not as if it is against the
demands of ASUU but it has a challenge of scarce resources”.
The professor urged government to show sincerity of purpose in terms
of keeping agreement with the union to prevent any suspicion.
He also appealed to ASUU to eschew anger and consider the current
administration because the problem at hand emanated from previous
governments.
“The issue at hand did not happen overnight. The problems have been there for so many years.
“So ASUU must show some understanding in the way they articulate and insist on some of these issues.
“The problem requires the understanding of all the party, government
must continuously show sincerity of purposes in the negotiation.
“Rather than allow a breakdown of the system, we should consider an incremental gain.
“Our young adults and educational institutions will suffer once there
is a breakdown of the system. We should therefore not allow us
eventually loose what we are trying to protect”.
A check by NAN correspondent at LASU Ojo campus lecturer hall
revealed that skeletal academic activities were still ongoing and
normal.
NAN also reports that ASUU had directed its members would begin an
indefinite strike on Monday, Nov. 5 over the non-implementation of the
Memorandum of Action (MOA) signed with the Federal Government.
Prof. Biodun Ogunyemi, ASUU National President said the strike would cover both the Federal and State owned universities.
Ogunyemi said all entreaties made to the Federal Government to honour
the agreement with the union fell on deaf ears and they have no other
option than to begin an indefinite strike action.
“ Having waited patiently for action and meaningful negotiation with
reasonable men using the principle of collective bargaining.
“ASUU at its NEC meeting of Nov. 3 and 4, 2018, at the Federal
University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), resolved to resume the
nationwide strike action it suspended in September 2017 with immediate
effect. (NAN)
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