ASUU strike: FG must return to negotiation table

But even then the Governors seem to be unaware that by virtue of item 34 of the Second Schedule to the Constitution labour matters are exclusively within the province of the federal authorities. Also, ASUU is a national organization duly registered to cater for the interests of academics in all our universities without any petty […]

But even then the Governors seem to be unaware that by virtue of item 34 of the Second Schedule to the Constitution labour matters are exclusively within the province of the federal authorities. Also, ASUU is a national organization duly registered to cater for the interests of academics in all our universities without any petty division between federal and state universities which can only exist in the imagination of those who are bent on destroying our universities. The courts cannot resolve the current dispute without the will on the part of our governments, including the state governments to take education seriously. If they fail to honour whatever agreement is eventually reached with the union they would only be laying the foundation for a multiplication of the crisis in the 36 states. It is doubtful if they have learnt any lesson from the Ilorin episode.  Serious Governors who cannot contribute to solving the present crisis should learn not to compound it.

Nigerians must call on the government to demonstrate that it believes in educating our people by returning to the negotiation table with ASUU. It is cheap blackmail to insist that unless the union returns to work it would not resume the negotiation. By abandoning negotiation, government has now joined the strike. Government is on strike. The point is that negotiation can be conducted whether or not there is an ongoing strike. ASUU gave several warning strikes before the real strike. If the government was serious it ought to have nipped the crisis in the bud. This is why we must condemn all those ‘no victor, no vanquished’ people who appeal to ASUU and government to see reason. They are wrong. It is the government that should see reason not ASUU. I hate to hear such pleas and I hope we would be saved such unhelpful interventions     

Bamidele Aturu 24, Mbonu Ojike Street, Off Ayinde Giwa Street,  Off Alhaji Masha Road, Surulere,  Lagos State. Nigeria.  Email: [email protected]