x

Strike: We are not insensitive to plight of students, parents – ASUU

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has dispelled insinuations that the union is insensitive to the plight of students and parents by constantly embarking on strikes.

Dr Lazarus Maigoro, Chairman of the University of Jos chapter of the union, said this in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Jos.

Maigoro insisted that the demands of the union before the Federal Government were aimed at improving the standard of universities in the country.

NAN reports that the union has started mobilising its members across the country to embark on an industrial action over what it called government’s failure to fulfill the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) reached with it since 2009.

NAN also reports with the news of an impending strike, many parents had decried the incessant industrial action embarked upon by university lecturers and accused ASUU of being insensitive to the dilemma of students and their parents.

But Maigoro explained that a large part of the union’s demands from government were anchored on adequate funding, infrastructure development and the need for improved facilities in the universities with a view to making learning more conducive for students.

“It is true that we are currently mobilising our members across our 13 zones in the country for a nationwide strike and this is because government has failed to fulfill the MoU of 2009.

“It was same issues that led to the strike in 2018 which was later suspended in February 2019 and as I speak to you, government has not fulfilled any of the agreements reached

“Our demands are not personal, but we want adequate funding for universities, more infrastructure development and what have you, so that students can learn under conducive atmosphere.

“So, parents and indeed Nigerians should not see us in bad light, because we are pushing for a cause that will raise the standard of our universities.

“Remember, our children and colleagues are also schooling in this system; we are also affected by the strikes, and so it is not about us, but the future generation,” he said.

Maigoro, however, accused politicians and government officials of being insensitive and treating issues of education with kid gloves, and called on government to act fast in revamping the decaying system.

“We are like any other ordinary Nigerian; we don’t have money to take our children abroad. It is the politicians that send their children overseas to school. And that is why they don’t care about improving the system at home because it doesn’t affect them in anyway

“So, government must be proactive enough in bringing back the lost glory of education in Nigeria by making the system work through adequate funding and what have you,” he said.

Hot this week

Bayelsa Launches Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Scheme

By Amgbare Ekaunkumo, Yenagoa The Community Peace and Development Initiative...

Kaduna: London-Based Philanthropist, Andishu, Lauds Gov. Sani’s Security and Peace Model

By Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna London-based Nigerian businessman and philanthropist, Moses...

NPA MD Dantsoho Accused of Breaching EFCC Agreement Over ₦57bn Contract Scam – Contractor

By Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna The Managing Director of the Nigerian...

Federal Polytechnic Wannune Upholds Zero Tolerance for Corruption — Rector

By Isaac Kertyo, Makurdi The Rector of Federal Polytechnic Wannune,...

Voter Registration: Northern CAN Urges Nigerians, Religious Leaders to Mobilise Members

By Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN)...

Chinese film on Nanjing Massacre resonates with Nigerian audience Source:...

Oborevwori, Senator Nwoko Hail Igbo Socio-Cultural Group for Tackling Identity Crisis

By Anne Azuka The Igbo Unification Movement, in collaboration with...

Tinubu Declares 9th National Youth Games Open in Delta

By Anne Azuka The 9th National Youth Games kicked off...

PAAU Gets NUC Approval for MBBS Program

By Noah Ocheni, Lokoja The Faculty of Medicine at Prince...

Kaduna: London-Based Philanthropist, Andishu, Lauds Gov. Sani’s Security and Peace Model

By Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna London-based Nigerian businessman and philanthropist, Moses...

Aliyu Flags Off 2025 Tree Planting in Sokoto, Urges Collective Action Against Desertification

By Muhammad Ibrahim, Sokoto Governor Ahmed Aliyu has launched the...

KGIRS Targets Over ₦3bn Monthly Revenue in 2026

By Noah Ocheni, Lokoja The Chairman of the Kogi State...
spot_img

Related Articles

Popular Categories

spot_imgspot_img