The University of Maiduguri branch of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), has pleaded with students and parents to bear with the union over its looming indefinite strike.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the union National Executive Council (NEC) will be meeting on Saturday in Lagos to take a decision on whether to embark on strike action.
A statement on Friday in Maiduguri, signed by Abubakar Mshelia and Hassan Dogo, the branch Chairperson and Assistant Secretary respectively, said the students are aware of the problems facing public universities and the union’s effort to salvage it from total collapse.
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“Given this scenario, the Congress of the Union at the University of Maiduguri, at its meeting on Wednesday, 9 February, 2022, requested the EXCO to reach out to the students to explain the issues involved and appeal for understanding.
“You may wish to know that the Congress has also resolved to reiterate its earlier resolution to embark on total, comprehensive and indefinite strike action in the University of Maiduguri if NEC in its wisdom declares a National Strike.
“Undoubtedly, this is going to be a regrettable decision if it happens. However, the Federal Government should be held solely responsible for its refusal to resolve the issues amicably despite the interventions of well-meaning Nigerians and groups, including the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC), amongst others.
“It is against this background that the Union is passionately appealing to our dear students and their parents and guardians for understanding. Many of our members are also parents and guardians and some are undergoing further studies.
“The Union cannot close its eyes and allow our Universities to continue to rot away and collapse totally because we all have huge responsibilities to prevent that from happening in the best interest of ourselves and our beloved country.
“The Union also appeals to well-meaning Nigerians, parents and guardians to continue to prevail on the Federal Government to seriously address these fundamental issues,” the statement added.
Some of the issues listed in the statement include decayed and inadequate infrastructure, poorly equipped laboratories and lack of modern teaching tools, lack of ICT facilities, poor remunerations and welfare of academic staff. (NAN)
