BY CHARLES KUMOLU

BUT for the recent ‘truce’ between the Federal Government and Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, Nigeria would have yet witnessed another round of ASUU strike.

In putting on hold its decision on the proposed industrial action, ASUU, said the union wants to give the government a benefit of doubt and believes that it will implement the agreements reached in the renewed talks.

Government requested a period of two months, starting from September 22 and ending November 22, 2011 to address the issues raised by the union which include, funding requirements for revitalizing the Nigerian university system, section 4.2.1 (d) providing for progressive increase of annual budgetary allocation to education to 26 per cent between 2009 and 2020 as well as transfer of federal government’s landed property to universities (4.2.5).

Others include setting up Research and Development Unit by companies operating in Nigeria (4.3.3) and Teaching and Research Equipment (4.3.6), payment of earned allowances and amendment of the Pension/Retirement Age of academics on the Professorial Cadre from 65 to 70 years.

According to the chairman of the Niger Delta University Chapter, Dr. Beke Sese, “as a noble and patriotic union, ASUU decided at its emergency meeting of its National Executive Council (NEC) held on October 15, 2011 at the University of Abuja, to reconsider its resolve to declare a nationwide total and indefinite strike action, and give government the benefit of doubt, believing fervently that government would fully abide by our signed memorandum of understanding.

It is hoped that this would not be another failed promise” and called on “all well meaning Nigerians, students, parents and the general public to be aware of our efforts, and also join in the struggle to keep university education not only affordable, but also comparable to the best anywhere in the world.”

Education minister, Ruqayyatu Rufai

Sese noted that ASUU and government understood that the Implementation Monitoring Committee should be expanded to include Federal Ministry of Finance, Federal Ministry of Labour & Productivity, and the Budget Office, stressing “the implementation of the above listed issues in the 2009 Agreement would be fast tracked before 22nd November, 2011.”

What this suspension implies is that the union might return to the trenches, if the government failed to honour its agreement. Given government’s penchant for not honouring past agreements, not a few believe that the last has not been heard of the proposed action. Although, the union has always had the sympathy of many, since it resorted to industrial actions to press home its demands, not a few believe that this measure has not been in the interest of the education sector.

Perhaps, this informed the many frowns at its recent warning strike. Observers noted that other measures of resolving issues should be embraced. Chief Mrs. Rita-lori Ogbebor noted: “I feel very bad that ASUU is always going on strike because of salary increment. I feel bad because the effect of their strike impacts negatively on our children.

For instance, in most courses where they have to spend four years, the children spend eight years because of strike. At the end, the children come home, sit with us and become frustrated. Some of them vent their anger on parents. Some become robbers while the politicians use them for thuggery,” .

While this appears to be an indictment on the lecturers, given that many had always linked incessant strikes to salaries, Vanguard Features, VF, checks revealed that most industrial actions, go beyond salary issues. It was gathered that other issues such as the setting up of Research and Development Unit by companies operating in Nigeria (4.3.3) and Teaching and Research Equipment (4.3.6), payment of earned allowances, have always been on the front burner.

In addition, until recently, the amendment of the Pension/Retirement Age of academics on the Professorial Cadre from 65 to 70 years also formed part of the issues.

President General of Trade Union Congress,TUC, Peter Esele said strike seems to be the only language the government understands.. Said he: “If they did not go on strike in the past, they would have been totally neglected, that seems to be the only language government understands. The little improvements seen today in the tertiary institutions is as a result of lecturers’ protest. I can tell you now that the salaries of lecturers have improved from what it used to be 10 years ago.

And if they did not go on strike, we would not have had that. Government has no respect for education, which is very bad. The way we treat our professors here is bad. Professors are revered abroad, but they are treated as nuisance in Nigeria. They are saying now that their retirement age should be 70 and that is right. We have Professors abroad, who are 75 years and active. The are tremendously respected.”

Interest of stakeholders

While Esele’s argument is logical, President of Parents Forum, Mr. Adegboye Olubumi told VF that frequent strike actions are not in the interest of all stakeholders. Thus, he cautioned that in the event of government reneging on its promise, ASUU should embrace another means.

Olubunmi said: “We have a terrible problem. I can’t believe that we are still talking of strikes at this level, when it has not solved any problem. There is no one way traffic solution to any problem, solution abounds. Government should wake up and take education serious”. “We need revitalization of the sector.”

Corroborating, the argument that education is not being attended to, Chairman of the Independent Electoral Commission of Nigeria,INEC, Prof. Atahiru Jega, observed that there is an urgent need to revive the education sector.

Jega who was recently honoured with the award of most consistent advocate in University system in Lagos, said: “I will also say that there is need to pay attention to the education sector. It is obvious that education needs attention because that is the future of this nation. Any nation that is not serious about education is doomed.”