Chairman, University of Ibadan chapter of the Academic Staff Union of
Universities (ASUU), Dr. Deji Omole has described the federal
government as shameless for owing lecturers seven years of unpaid earned
academic allowances and still want them to continue to work for free
while the Presidency and the National Assembly feed fat on the wealth of
the nation.
Omole made this declaration while reacting to a memo which directed
Vice Chancellors of universities to implement the “no work, no pay”
policy on the sticking lecturers across the country.
The Federal Government, it was gathered had directed Vice Chancellors
of striking public universities across the country to enforce
“no-work-no-pay” rule on the striking lecturers.
The memo which was signed by NUC Director of Research, Information
and Technology Dr S.B Ramon-Yusuf stated that payment of salaries from
any other sources will be viewed as a violation of extant rules and
government directive.
It will be recalled that ASUU had on Sunday, November 4th this year, declared indefinite and total strike
over issues bothering on welfare of its members, infrastructure and
non-implementation of some agreements made to the union by the federal
government.
But, Omole in a statement emailed to DAILY POST Friday evening said
it is sad that a government that prides itself as having integrity has
shamefully shown that it lacks integrity by failing to honour agreements
reached with the union and resorted to harassment and intimidation of
”our members on a patriotic struggle to save public education in
Nigeria. ”
He said that the directive will add fuel to the struggle as academic
staff have resolved to get proper education for the children of the
masses.
According to Omole, the Military government tried unsuccessfully to
intimidate the collective will of Nigerian masses, adding that members
of the union have resolved to fight for the future of the country.
Omole said, “We have passed this road before. It is a familiar terrain which we can navigate with our eyes closed.
“We shall triumph any attempt to destroy the common patrimony”. The power of the people is stronger than the people in power.”