Enough Of Strikes – NANS Begs ASUU, Other Unions

• Wants parties to sheath swords, return to negotiations

BY ADEYEMI AKANJI, BAUCHI – The National Association of Nigeria Students (NANS) has made a passionate appeal to the Academic Staff of Universities (ASUU) and other unions in the nation’s education sector to shelve their planned strikes, insisting that Nigerians students are frustrated and tired of undue delays in their educational pursuits.

This is against the backdrop of the looming strikes in Nigeria Universities with ASUU and the Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU) issuing ultimatums to the Federal Government.

Fazed by recent developments, the student body believes the contending parties should sheath their swords and allow peace to reign for the sake of Nigerian students and their parents who have suffered so much disappointment due to incessant strikes that have continuously disrupted the nation’s education system.

According to NANS, it is making a general plea to ASUU; the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP); and all other academic and non-academic unions of tertiary institutions nationwide to always consider the plight of students and their parents by not embarking on strikes at the slightest provocation by the government.

President of NANS, Comrade Sunday Asefon, who spoke at the 2021 International Students Day held at the Federal Polytechnic, Bauchi, said incessant strikes have retarded progress in the country’s educational sector, thereby making it less important to what is obtainable in other countries within the sub-region.

Asefon urged the government to always engage the various unions’ leadership on amicable resolutions of issues to avoid strikes that have brought nothing good to education in Nigeria.

Explaining the students’ frustration, he said; “We are gathered here today to celebrate the International Students Day. This day is markable as it afford us the privilege to reflect on our struggles, speak to the welfare of students and engage in a progressive deliberation towards improving the collective welfare of students.

“Today being a very significant day for us, we must reflect on the struggle of the Nigeria Students, especially tertiary institution students. We are faced with multifaceted challenges ranging from insecurity, inadequate funding, instability arising from incessant strike actions, quality of pedagogy, research, and output.

“However, we must acknowledge the challenges as avenues to also work across board to ensure a better system. I therefore on behalf of all Nigerian students plead with ASUU and FG to sheath their sword in the interest of the Nigerian students and work together to ensure continuity in our academic calendar thereby improving the quality of education in our tertiary institutions”.

On the funding packages for tertiary institutions in the country, the NANS President said; “I call for a better funding of the Public Universities. Improved funding is necessary to ensure our public institutions meet the personnel need of both public and private sector. It is therefore imperative that government should start considering a 25% increment in money payable to tetfund as educational tax.

“Tetfund in turn must ensure better accountability, neutrality, equality, equity and provide a level playing ground for institutions to access its funding and projects.”

The NANS President, who appreciated Bauchi State Governor, Sen Bala Mohammed Abdulkadir for hosting the celebration in Bauchi State and all his efforts at improving education in the State, said; “Bauchi is indeed very lucky to have a working Governor like His Excellency. NANS will continue to identify this administration and we consider the administration Pro Students.”

“Your Excellency, we must improve the capacity of tertiary institutions to generate funding through innovation, creativity and agriculture without pushing the burden on students unnecessarily. I have seen the great work been done by your administration in this regard, I hope it continues and other states learn from the Bauchi experiment.”

“As we continue the events marking this year’s International Students’ Day, I will continue to engage with the government, students and the press to ensure that we improve the welfare of Nigerian Students and encourage government at all levels to improve its commitment to education. I thank the Bauchi State Government once again for hosting us and for being very hospitable”, Asefon said