The Federal Government had yesterday shifted its ultimatum for the reopening of universities till Monday.
However, ASUU has restated its rejection of the ultimatum, issuing yesterday a 14-point guideline to its members on why they must sustain the strike, adding that government's claim that external forces were behind the union only betrays government's desperation to distract the union's genuine cause.
This was made known by the union in Strike Bulletin No. 14, signed by ASUU National President Dr. Nasir Isa Fagge.
The union came up with 14 guidelines signaling that it is prepared for a long drawn battle with the Federal Government.
The guidelines read in part:
•Do not sign any resumption of duty. Government is out to humiliate us. Hold your head high. This too shall pass!!!
•If you receive any query on account of the ongoing strike, failure to sign resumption of duty register, etc, bring such to the attention of the branch chairperson immediately for guidance.
•It is a general knowledge that members of ASUU are on a national strike. It is against the Labour Act and the ILO convention to sack anybody on account of participation in a strike, no matter how remotely related.
•Remain resolute and refrain from violating the ongoing strike. Our Union is capable of protecting its members.
•Meanwhile, be security conscious. Do not visit security agencies alone. In case of difficulties, always consult your Chairperson.
•With our collective resolve, we can again brush off this unwarranted and provocative onslaught. Stand to be counted on the positive side of history. Do not betray your union.
The leadership of ASUU also justified its struggle and insisted that it is in the public interest.
It said: “Our collective national struggle to save the future of public system has entered yet another critical phase. The National Strike Coordinating Committee(NSCC) commends all members for their steadfastness and commitment to this patriotic cause.
More so, lecturers of the states and Federal universities in the Southwest said they remained resolute, describing Federal government's threat to sack them as 'primitive and derogatory'.
The local ASUU chair, Dr Adesola Nassir, addressing reporters said the Ibadan Zone of ASUU comprising University of Ibadan, University of Lagos, Lagos State University, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta and Tai Solarin University of Education, Ijagun, would sustain the strike.
They added that, a government that could hurry to inject over two trillion naira into ailing banks that are privately owned should not find it difficult to infuse N200bn into public universities across the country.
Comments