ASUU Don Warn Government: No More Delay on Our Demands O!

Jalingo, Taraba State – Na so the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) take put federal government for one serious matter. Dem don tell government say make dem finish the negotiations wey dey on top wetin dem dey demand before e go turn saga again. Na during the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting for Taraba State University wey happen for November 8 and 9, the union talk say time no dey wait for anybody, and if dem no act fast, another nationwide strike fit happen.

ASUU President, Christopher Piwuna, talk say dem dey vex for how government dey play cat and mouse with dem. E don reach everywhere wey dem go sit down gree on what to do, and them dey feel say if this matter no resolve quick-quick, many wahala go follow. Dem no wan make this back-and-forth matter continue, especially as dem dey carry students’ future dey play for the table.

Dem say make federal government try honour wetin dem don settle before, or else wahala go dey. Even when dem hold one emergency NEC meeting for October 21, dem suspend one warning strike make e no affect students, despite say dem no gree accept government offer wey dem talk was below standard. Na for this meeting, dem give government one month to settle everything. But two weeks after, dem don look the progress, and their eye no shine as salary increment wey government dey talk na just small fire inside pot compared to the big soup wey dem need.

Piwuna and him crew con dey complain say dem no wan hear any lie again. Dem no like how government dey use half-measures to treat serious issues like salary and conditions for lecturers. “We dey hope say our expectations no go end up like bad jollof rice wey dey burnt,” ASUU talk sharply. Dem criticise government officials for wahala wey dem cause through wrong statements and selective implementation of agreements. Them no cari wahala wey dey happen for universities as some government people dey use the matter dey play politics.

Dem still dey remind the government say federal and state revenues don increase, no be say dem no get money, but na lack of political will dey burst the whole package. ASUU don even call traditional rulers, community leaders, students and civil society make dem join hands press government enter real action about their lecturers’ welfare.

The union’s wahala dem talk say na seven major demands dem get wey include: renegotiation of the 2009 agreement wey dey on ground, funding for public universities, ensuring say the universities dey work well, stop the wahala wey dey happen to ASUU members for LASU, KSU, and FUTO, settle outstanding salary arrears wey range from 25-35%, clear the promotion arrears wey don dey pile since 2017, and pay all the deductions wey dem suppose release to members.

Na this time ASUU clear say dem just wan the government take matter serious because the tension for the academic environment dey rise like hot eba. “Education no suppose dey play like say na game,” dem tok, as dem highlight how bad this issue don dey affect everybody.

Na wetin go happen next na wetin everybody dey watch, cos if government no wake up, another strike fit land on top our heads again. Na so dem dey greeze, and no be small matter o!”