Strike unshakable: ASUU dismisses resumption mandate by varsity authorities

By Deborah Onatunde

The Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, on Monday dismissed resumption remark by university authorities directing students to appear for lectures amid the seven-month strike.

The organisation said its strike stands unshakeable as those institutions were still under lock up.

Dr. Chris Piwuna, the Vice President of ASUU and its former branch Chairman at the University of Jos stated this during an interview with press men, while responding to the statement  by the Public Relations Officer of Imo State University, Owerri, IMSU, Ralph Njoku, that it had pulled out of the ASUU nationwide strike and therefore asked its students and staff members to resume school on Tuesday, September 20.

According to Njoku, IMSU had made known their decision to opt out of the lingering strike in the benefits of the students and staff of the institution.

“Yes. It is true. We have asked students to resume immediately. Lectures start on Tuesday. We are doing this in the best interest of our students and staff. We are not only pulling out of the ASUU strike but also asking everyone to return to school,” he said.

Piwuna said, “I don’t know why these people will never learn their lesson. Is the PRO of the University a member of our union? Does he have the mandate to speak for our members? Did we consult with him or his Vice chancellor before we embarked on the action? They are incurable interlopers.

“Let us hear from our branch chairperson. Let them not waste the time of our students and parents.

“They said the same thing about Gombe State University, Yobe State University, Kaduna State University and the rest. Those institutions are still under lock and key. Our strike is unshakeable .

“Our members remain resilient and single minded about our overall goal to rescue our public universities from the clutches of the neo-liberal, neo-colonialist,” he submitted.