…Appeals to FG to pay outstanding salaries of lecturers
BY ADEYEMI AKANJI, BAUCHI – The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), has appealed to the members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities lecturers to respect the of the National Industrial Court (NIC), by calling off their over seven months old strike and resume academic activities while their proposed appeal goes on.
This was as NANS also called on the Federal Government to as a matter necessity pay the lecturers their seven months outstanding salaries.
NANS said its appeals followed the ruling of the Court sitting in Abuja which ordered the lecturers to go back to work pending the determination of the substantive suit.
NANS Coordinator for the North-east zone ‘E’, Alhassan Adam told Journalists in Bauchi at a press conference that the appeal is coming in the struggle for peace and quality education in the country.
Adam, who was flanked by other Zonal and State officials, further said; “After a seven months stand-off between ASUU and Federal Government, just last Wednesday, the industrial court made a judgement between the federal government and academic staff union of university (ASUU).
“The Federal Government won the Case against ASUU, indeed, the Judgement is a WIN WIN to Nigerian Students under the leadership of the new President of NANS, Comrade Usman Umar Barambu”.
“Based on that, the leadership of Nigerian Students (NANS) deem it very necessary to call on the ASUU to please respect the judgement of the court with good faith, so that our students can return back to classes after seven months of deadbeat staying at home.
“We learned that the ASUU will appeal the case, yes, it is their right to appeal but, please they should respect the judgement as we earlier said and return to work while the case continues at the Court of Appeal.
“At the same time, we are calling on the federal government to also pay them what they are being owed to enable them settle their debts and other expenses incurred in the last seven months without salaries.
“The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) shall at any time stand and protect the interest of Nigerian Students.
“We want to commend the government of Bauchi State under the leadership of Senator Bala Mohammed for the tremendous contribution given to the development of education in the State and also towards the maintenance of peace.
“Senator Bala A Mohammed has done so much in the State, in terms of development and welfare of Nigerian Students.
“We equally thank the State Security Services (SSS) and other security agencies in Bauchi State for always standing with Nigerian Students at all times. We shall continue to be partners in peace building and Progress,” he said.
