By Deborah Onatunde
The Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, has just initiated a seven-man council to protect the union’s position and refusal to suspend the ongoing strike that is getting to seven months.
The committee which is expected to respond to any report in the media against the unrefuted stand of the university teachers to suspend the strike.
Nigerian NewsDirect reports that academic activities in Nigeria’s public universities have been suspended since February 14, 2022, following the strike action embarked upon by the union.
Although three other university-based unions who also embarked on strike in March this year have suspended the strike after entering into negotiations with the government.
The three unions are Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU), and the National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT).
While the trio have accepted the offer made to them by the federal government, ASUU has remained unmoved, claiming that the government has not adequately addressed their demands.
The supposed hard stand of ASUU seems to be a pain for all, attracting unpleasant reactions from critics, who felt that the strike has stayed for too long and should be relieved in the interest of the students.
However, the National President of ASUU, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke has written to Prof. Ade Adejumo of the Lagos State University of Technology, who is the convener to tackle any media report that may be against the interest of the union.
The letter dated 1st September with the title, “Constitution of Rapid Response Committee”, told members that their commitment towards the execution of the assignment would be appreciated.
The letter read: “The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) is at a very critical stage of its struggle towards the survival of public universities in Nigeria. It has been observed that a lot of media propaganda to misinform and malign the union is ongoing. The union appreciated your efforts in responding to this media war.
“The trustees and principal officers of the union decided to constitute a rapid response committee to immediately respond to various media publications, opinions, interviews etc, that may be against the interest of the union.”
The members according to the letter are Prof. Ade Adejumo (LAUTEC), Convener, Prof. Joseph A. Ushie (UNIUYO), member, Prof. Abdulgafar Amoka (ABU), member, Dr. Adelaja Odukoya (UNILAG), member, Dr. Taiwo Obateru (UNIJOS), member, Dr. Otu Otu Akanu (AE-FUNAI), member and and Prof. Victor Igbum (BSU), Secretary.
“Your commitment to this assignment as in the time past will be greatly appreciated,” it concluded.