5th September, 2013
President, Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, Dr. Nasir Fagge, has categorically stated that the ongoing strike will not be called off since the Federal Government is not ready to meet ASUU’s demands.
Fagge, who made this declaration while speaking with P.M.NEWS Campus Square, also noted that the real essence of the strike action, as they have been saying is for the Federal Government to simply implement the agreement they made in 2009.
“I’m convinced that this is a good course that we have chosen for our education sector; to ensure that we get all that was agreed in 2009.
“The Federal Government are the ones on strike and not ASUU because they know what we want and can do it but just won’t do anything. Once they implement the agreement, everybody will be fine and we’ll get back to work,” he explained.
While responding to questions on whether the strike action would continue much more than it has been, Fagge bemoaned the fact that the students don’t actually understand what ASUU is fighting for.
He noted also, that ASUU has not been happy with the fact that they have been at home for the past two months but will feel worse if their reason for doing so is not achieved.
According to him, “do we just continue deceiving Nigerians when facilities are not in place for proper learning? We want to address the problems once and for all.
“We can’t call off the strike now and return to what we’ve been going through over the years. Or embark on the strike action again after three months or in one or two years’ time.”
He added that “we want the best for the students and calling off the strike without getting it will amount to a waste of time with all the protests. If the Federal Government doesn’t shift grounds, we’ll also remain here until we are attended to appropriately.”
The strike action has entered its seventh week.
—Damilare Okunola