The leadership of Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has vowed to remain on strike until its struggle is brought to a logical conclusion, declaring that the lecturers are not in violation of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria order by remaining on the strike.
This view was expressed by ASUU President, Professor Emmanuel Osodeke, even as President Muhammadu Buhari, on Saturday, reiterated his appeal to ASUU to call off the about eight months strike while the contending issues are being addressed.
ASUU has been on strike since February 14 to press home the demand for improved funding for universities, a review of salaries for lecturers, among other issues. But the union’s president in a letter dated 30th September, 2022 and addressed to all ASUU members providing them with update, insisted that the strike would not be called off until logical conclusion is achieved.
He also noted that the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, ruling ordering the Union to call off the strike, has been appealed in addition to stay on execution, hence ASUU is not in violation of that order by remaining on strike.
Osodeke said: “Our strike action is in its 8-month. As we press on with the struggle, members are saluted for remaining steadfast in the face of deprivations occasioned by the stoppage of our salaries. “We have demonstrated to our maligners that we are a group of principled men and women who cannot be intimidated.
“This resolve has started yielding fruits as demonstrated by series of engagements with us by relevant stakeholders and agents of government.
“In the last two weeks, we have had two engagements with the leadership of House of Representatives, led by the Honourable Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila.
Credit: The Nigerian Tribune