Gbenro Adesina
Parents, Students, educationists and civil society organizations converged at the International Conference Centre (ICC), of the University of Ibadan to deliberate on the on-going strike action embarked upon by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).
In attendance at the engagement programme organised by the Ibadan Zone of ASUU were UI ASUU Chairman, Professor Ayo Akinwole, Professor Moyo Ajao (UNILORIN), Dr Biodun Olaniran (LAUTECH), Dr Femi Abanikanda (UNIOSUN), Dr Adesola Dauda (KWASU), and Dr Dele Ashiru (UNILAG).
In his opening speech, Ibadan Zonal Coordinator of ASUU, Professor Ade Adejumo, who was represented by former National Treasurer of ASUU, Professor Ademola Aremu, lamented that the plan of government was for the children of the masses to continue to serve their own children who are educated abroad by deliberating under-funding public university education.
Taking the stakeholders through the journey of ASUU strike, Aremu noted that ASUU was fighting for the interest of children of the masses and the future of the country, knowing fully well that an uneducated child would become a terror to the country.
He stated that the Federal Government has not been faithful towards fulfilling the agreements it reached with the Union but prefer to allocate more funds for the executives and the legislative arm of government.
The former ASUU National Treasurer informed the stakeholders that ASUU’s strike is focused on funding for the revitalisation of public universities as contained in the FGN-ASUU Memorandum of Understanding of 2012 & 2013 and the Memorandum of Action of 2017 and 2019; payment of arrears and mainstreaming of Earned academic allowances; renegotiation of 2009 agreement, constitution of visitation panels to universities, and remittance of withheld third-party deductions from ASUU members.
While contributing, UI Student Union Government President, Segun Akeju, supported the Union on the strike for the revitalisation of universities and urged the Union to carry students along in the industrial action.
He further urged the Union to ensure that the strike achieves its purpose.
Chairman, Alliance on Surviving COVID-19 and Beyond (ASCAB), Comrade Bayo Titilola Sodo, who lauded the stakeholders’ engagement of ASUU, stated that ASCAB ‘is on the same page with ASUU on the need for massive increases of fund for the education sector.
Chaplin, UI Chapel of the Resurrection, Very Reverend (Dr) Olufikayo Oyelade and Chief Imam UI Central mosque, Mufutau Oloyede Abdul-Rahmon, urged the Union to continue to engage the public on the need to support their struggle, saying they were more informed of the reasons for the strike than before.
They enjoined the Union not to corrupt their way as they continue to fight for repositioning public funded varsities.
They also urged government to quickly meet ASUU’s demands for better public education and welfare of her members in order to ensure quick reopening of universities.
