Re: SSANU re-think strike option

Your editorial opinion dated 18th January, 2016 on the on-going strike action embarked upon by the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) was a masterpiece. It was a clarion call and an appeal to SSANU to suspend the strike in the interest of the students and to explore other better options to resolve the […]

Your editorial opinion dated 18th January, 2016 on the on-going strike action embarked upon by the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) was a masterpiece. It was a clarion call and an appeal to SSANU to suspend the strike in the interest of the students and to explore other better options to resolve the matter with FGN.
In my opinion, the argument you advanced was not balanced but one sided in favour of the government. In any dispute or disagreement both parties are expected to exercise restraint pending the outcome of negotiated settlement. While there is nothing wrong asking SSANU to suspend the strike, it is equally important to also request the government to halt the sacking of staff school teachers.
The general public should know and appreciate the fact that in Labour Unions, the power to declare or suspend strike action rests with the National Executive Council not the Leadership Council in the care of SSANU, NAC.
In fairness to the SSANU National President Comrade Samson Ugwoke, he tried and lobbied to convince SSANU NEC to suspend the strike but eventually he did not succeed. This was not out of disrespect for the Minister of Education Mal. Adamu Adamu, perhaps it was a reaction to the perceived apparent discrimination against SSANU members by some top government functionaries. This was clearly exhibited openly.
The Federal Government immediately reversed its decision on dissolution of University Governing Councils because of the FGN/ASUU 2009 agreement on the tenure of Governing Councils of Federal Universities. ASUU, NEC acknowledged this gesture in its resolution. Why should the FGN/SSANU 2009 Agreement not accorded similar treatment by the Federal Government? Justice and fairness is not a matter of status but equality before the law. To the best of our knowledge, council members and primary school teachers in this case deserve equal treatment.
The insinuation intended to tarnish the image of Comrade Samson Ugwoke as anti-Buhari administration is false. There are overwhelming evidences to refute the allegation.

Muhammad Gimba Alfa, ABU, Zaria.