ASUU strike not politically motivated, don says

The Academic Staff Union of Universities
(ASUU) says the current nationwide
strike by the union is not politically
motivated.
The Zonal Coordinator of the union in
charge of Calabar Zone, Charles Ononuju,
made the clarification at a news
conference on Tuesday in Umuahia.
‘’We wish to emphasise strongly that our
struggle has no political undertone as
being falsely and mischievously
propagated, those saying otherwise are
being economical with the truth.
“No amount of blackmail will make the
union jettison our resolve to get the
government implement the 2009
agreement and MoU of January 24,
2012,” he said.
He said that the unions’ position was for
the proper funding of education because
Nigerians deserved quality education.
Mr. Ononuju described the insinuation as
part of the misinformation intended at
causing disaffection.
He said that the union had rejected the
offer of N130 billion made to the Pro-
Chancellors and Vice Chancellors of
universities by the Federal Government.
The zonal coordinator said that the
arbitrary release of money by the Federal
Government negated the 2009 agreement
as well as the 2012 Memorandum of
Understanding.
Mr. Ononuju urged the Federal
Government to honour the 2009
agreement it freely entered into with the
union, adding that the union was not
making fresh demands.
He said the union was not insensitive to
the plight of students and parents but that
the strike was meant to salvage public
education through proper funding.
The briefing was attended by the
chairman of ASUU in MOUAU, Uzochukwu
Onyebinama, and James Okpiliya of the
University of Calabar.
Other members present at the news
conference were Nwachukwu Anyim of
the University of Uyo and Nsing Ogar of
the Cross River State University of
Technology.
ASUU has been on strike since July 1.
(NAN)