Bisina Somto, PBA Journalism MenteeThe Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has set up a seven-member committee to address what could be termed ‘named-calling’ mostly through media, over its lingering industrial action.
The committee, with members drawn from various university campuses across the country, and named “Rapid Response Committee,” is to be chaired by Ade Adejumo, a professor at the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso.
According to the letter of appointment addressed to one of the nominees of the committee, the union’s national president, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke gave the them responsibility to develop strategies to tackle the alleged media campaign against the union’s decision to continue with the industrial action.
The Union has in recent times been criticised by a section of Nigerians following the rollover of the indefinite strike after almost seven months of staying away from work.
Some have described the union as being insensitive to the plights of the Nigerian students whose academic journey has been stalled since the strike began in February.
ASUU, demanding better conditions of service for its members and better funding for the university system, has refused to shift grounds to suspend the strike until the government meets its demands, stating that the government has by its actions regarding their struggle, displayed insincerity in implementing its agreement with the union.
Other striking unions in the university system have suspended their strike as negotiations continue with the government.
Following appeals by the Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, both the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Universities and Other Associated Institutions (NASU) suspended their strike by two months while the National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT) suspended its by three months.
The three unions said the window was to allow for the conclusion of negotiations with the government. They threatened to resume the strike if the government fails to meet their demands at the expiration of the ultimatums.
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