The National Association of Nigerian Students have kicked against the half salary payment by the Federal Government to the Academic Staff Union of Universities, terming it detrimental and insensitive towards the current Nigerian educational sector.
In an official statement, on Wednesday, signed by executive members of the NANS: NANS Southwest Zone D Coordinator, Comr. Adegboye Emmanuel Olatunji a.k.a. Teejay; NANS Southwest Zone D Deputy Coordinator, Comr Alao John; NANS Southwest Zone D Public Relations Officer, Comr. Awoyinfa Opeoluwa a.k.a. Opiano, the students body lamented the lack of zeal of the FG to actively correct its poor relationship with ASUU by the payment of half salaries in October.
The no work-no pay policy, NANS described as non-functional in the Nigerian educational sector at the moment, claiming that the sector is a peculiar and delicate one, especially, currently.
Adding that, upon resumption of academic activities, lecturers must continue from where they had stopped before the strike, and therefore perform all expected responsibilities, therefore, the Federal government had no ground for paying only half salary.
The statement read in part, “The actions, inactions, mannerisms and body language of the General Muhammadu Buhari led administration have left us with no doubt regarding the low priority status of education under this government.
“And like the proverbial King who reigned during a period of widespread discomfort, the degeneration and acute deterioration experienced in the educational sector will not be forgotten in a hurry by Nigerians.”
The students union, accused the FG of having a usual retrogressive inclination towards education, especially, because of the half salary payment of lecturers just after the suspension of an eight-month-old industrial action; a move they said could tip the Academic Staff Union of Universities into another strike action.
According to the union, this ‘ill-advised action’ could set a bad precedence, ruin the morale of lecturers and further weaken the already debilitated trust between the said union and the government.
NANS also pointed out the fact that, “While government promises in the course of the negotiation did little to allay the concerned stakeholders’ fears and therefore amounted to little, ASUU only suspended its eight-month industrial action in obedience to the National Industrial Court and the intervention efforts of some well-meaning individuals.
“Ironically those directly appointed and being paid from our commonwealth to oversee Education and Labour matters namely; Mallam Adamu Adamu (Minister for Education); Dr. Chris Ngige (Minister of Labour and Employment); and Festus Keyamo (Minister of State for Labour and Employment) made meagre contributions to the development.
“As a matter of fact, we have it on good record that Dr. Ngige particularly was willing to crash the entire sector just to bring ASUU on its knees and massage his own fragile ego.
“From all indications, if drastic measures aren’t taken, the Federal Government and its overpaid employee; Dr. Ngige seems ready to bury the entire educational sector.
“And if ASUU chose to boycott work again as a result of this ungentlemanly decision, the government might as well forget about tertiary education completely.”
The students union maintained, that as the leadership of all Nigerian Students in the Southwest, they demand that their lectures be accorded their deserved respect and their dignity not be tampered on.
In addition, they said, “procedure to pay the remaining balance of their remunerations be put in motion immediately.
“Finally, we utterly reject any further acts of lackadaisical treatment, contempt, condescending attitude and frivolity in subsequent relations with all stakeholders in the Educational sector.”
