By Sharifatu Ja’afaru & Teldir Falang
The University of Jos Chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has joined its counterparts nationwide in the strike declared by National Executive Council (NEC). meeting, the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) Unijos chapter joins its other counterparts in the ongoing strike.
It was learnt that 50 out of the 54 universities represented at the meeting held at Ajayi Adesola University Ogun State supported the declaration of the strike. The UNIJOS Chapter held a meeting to affirm the strike as is the practice.
Chairperson of ASUU University of Jos chapter Dr David Jangkam told Unijos Echo Online at the end of the meeting that the strike is “total, indefinite and comprehensive”.
He said ASUU was not to blame for the strike as it arose from government’s lack of commitment to honouring agreement reached with the union.
He said the negotiations started since 2009 when government entered into an agreement with ASUU adding that the two sides had since been in and out of negotiations, but seems fruitless as just a little component has been added to the salaries of lecturers.
Jangkam added that ASUU is taking a reaction to government’s negligence because when adequate funds are made available, Nigerian universities will be able to compete favourably with other universities in the world as it was in the 70s and 80s when Nigerian Universities attracted scholars and students across the globe.
On whether the POST UTME by the university scheduled for July 15 – 28 will not be affected he said the strike touches on every aspect of academics.
Dr Jangkam said the strike was a painful decision which had to be taken in order to make government take responsibility and adequately fund education given the huge resources the country is endowed with.
He noted that lecturers also have children and wards within the system. The meeting was witnessed by the SUG Mr Magaji Izang and his colleagues.
