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(Members of Unilorin ASUU)
The Academic Staff Union of Universities ASUU, University of Ilorin Chapter, has joined force with its central body in urging Federal Government to urgently attend to the Union’s requests, in order to rescue the country’s education system from collapse.
Unilorin ASUU Chairman, Dr Alex Akanmu, made the call while addressing members of the Chapter at the Union’s Secretariat.
Dr Akanmu listed payment of the outstanding balance of the withheld three-and-half months Union members’ salaries by the Federal Government as part of their demands, emphasizing that the continuous neglect and near collapse of the nation’s education system has necessitated the call for action to address the matter.
He said the situation had left members with no other option than to activate ‘rescue mission cause’ as the situation is getting more difficult by the day.
Other demands, according to Dr Akanmu, include the implementation of the FGN-ASUU renegotiation of the 2009 agreement, mainstreaming of earned academic allowance, rejection of Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System IPPIS, reconstitution of University governing councils, and an urgent intervention to rescue the country’s economy, among others.
He said the situation had also led to the exodus of scholars from the universities and low morale of the workforce, adding that the situation had resulted in diminishing the status of tertiary education in the country.
The University of Ilorin ASUU Chairman also bemoaned the failure of government to fulfill the promises made in 2022 upon which the then industrial action was called off.
He therefore, urged government to implementation the 2009 renegotiated agreement, especially the Nimo Briggs report, which amongst other things, made case for an improved welfare package for members of the union, revitalisation of institutions, as well as proper funding and stoppage of proliferation of institutions without structure to support them.
Sola Rotimi
