By Correspondent in Minna
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, (IBBUL), Lapai in Niger state has defied Niger state government order directing staff of all state-owned tertiary institutions to resume work on 24th and 25th January 24 and 25, 2021.
The Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Science and Technology, Engr. Abubakar Baba Aliyu, had in a statement directed all lecturers to ensure they were in their respective duty posts to receive the students as they resume lecture from 25th.
The commissioner, who attributed the alteration of academic calender to Coronavirus pandemic, had warned that, “On resumption, lecturers, staff and students must ensure full compliance with the COVID-19 protocols by maintaining; physical distancing and as well avoiding large gatherings of any kind.”
However, a statement from ASUU, IBBU, Lapai chapter made availabe to journalists on Wednesday told members to ignore the state government’s order and stay away from their duty posts, pending the resolution of some issues with the government.
The IBBU, Lapai ASUU chairman, Comrade Kudu Dangana, in a statement on Tuesday said the decision not to comply with the order was to iron out some pending issues before the state government without which the union would continue to stay off from duty.
Other reasons, he said, include the fact that the resolution to embark on strike was reached at the enlarged congress of ASUU, adding that it would also be in the collective best interest of the union that all members meet and agree to call of the strike, the statement insist.
“Our last meeting was to consolidate on the agreement reached between JAC and government. The agreement earlier reached was altered and as such, it was rejected by JAC. So, the meeting yesterday was to look into it with a view to discussing and making necessary corrections.
“However, the corrections were effected and taken back to the major stakeholders in the state finances; the issues of minimum wage/consequential and mainstreaming of 2018/2019 EAA were extensively discussed and agreed to take effect from this January.
“Other issues agreed will be discussed at the Congress,”,he said.
The Chairman,who assured members that “the strike will not be suspended with out Congress decisions”, urged them to shun any rumor that the strike had been suspended.
