The Chairman, Academic Staff Union of Universities-ASUU, Federal University Wukari, Comrade Joe Ikwebe says no to the casualization of University Academics in Nigeria.
The chairman made the position known at a press conference held at the University premises in wukari LGA of Taraba state.
Ikwebe expressed dissatisfaction over the federal government’s inability to settle staff salaries after an eight-month strike embarked upon by the union.
According to him, it is unfair for members of the union to bear the brunt of the failure of the federal government.
He said ASUU had embarked on the strike not because it enjoyed it but because the government failed to honor an agreement it willingly signed with the union.
Comrade Joe Ikwebe said the Union should not be punished for the government’s ineptitude and insincerity, adding that the strike in itself was foisted on the union by the government.
“It is illogical and illegal for the government to withhold our member’s salaries for protesting against ill treatment and the revelations made by the Nimi -Briggs committee in a paid advertorial underscores the level of the insincerity of government and the depth of lies and half-truths they have been dishing out to Nigerians,” Ikwebe added.
The chairman also explained that the strike was suspended because of the patriotism and responsibility of the union in obedience to the order of the court of Appeal providing a window of opportunity for the government to sort out the issues at stake.
He maintained that it is criminal and insensitive, insulting, demeaning, and illegal for the federal government to casualize Academics.
He noted that the recent protest was to let the whole nation know that ASUU vehemently condemns the casualization of academics in its entirety.
He opined that the university Academic environment is unlike the mainstream civil service and that the no work, no pay policy of the government cannot be implemented.
Ikwebe, however, disclosed that there are institutions in the country that have been on strike for several months due to an industrial dispute with the federal government their salaries were never stopped.
Recalled that the union had earlier held a peaceful protest where it presented its letter to the representative of the Vice Chancellor of the institution.
Sani Sulaiman
