NATION

ASUU ups demand to N5trillion

Academic Staff Union of Universities, Ebonyi State University chapter, says the national body of the teachers union should review its demand to N5 trillion.

Dr. Ikechukwu Igwenyi, the chairman of the ASUU chapter, stated this in a press release on Tuesday.

Igwenyi said the N1.1 trillion outstanding universities revitalisation fund, based on the 2009 agreement with the government, is unrealistic given current inflation.

He said, “ASUU, as a thinking union of intellectuals, is not realistic in this current struggle and there is need for the union to call for the review of the negotiated 2009 FG/ASUU agreement to ascertain possible performance rate and the expected outcomes.

“It is considered that the 2009 FGN/ASUU agreement is not only out of date and obsolete, but unrealistic today, if truth must be told, because of the time value of money over 13 years of this negotiation.

“It is a fact that a people that take no interest in what seems small, will definitely take false interest in what is big. The fact is also that Nigerian leaders set wrong priorities and are not paying due attention to the demands of ASUU in this imbroglio but rather join the unpatriotic gladiators that have no interest in nation building through quality education of Nigerians because their children are not attending schools here in Nigeria.

“It is a clear testimony of irresponsibility with the recent vituperations from some highly placed individuals in government and the idea of taking ASUU to court.

“Rather than look critically into the merits in ASUU position on tertiary education, leaders tell Nigerians that university education is not for everyone; ASUU fixes salary of members; there is no money to meet ASUU’s demands; the government will take ASUU to National Industrial Court; students should take ASUU to court; etcetera. What a people!

“No nation can develop beyond the level of education of her people and by extension, beyond the capacities and capabilities of their tertiary institutions,” he said.

Related Articles

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Back to top button