Chairman, NANS National Taskforce on #EndASUUStrikeNow, Ojo Raymond Olumide on Wednesday disclosed this in a press briefing held at the NUJ secretariat Abeokuta the Ogun State capital.
Olumide restated their total commitment towards the return of Nigerian Students in the nation public universities back to campus,and that the #EndASUUStrikeNow which has commenced will be sustained until the Federal Government of Nigeria resolve with ASUU.
He added that lot of Nigerian Students have lost a complete academic session due to this unwarranted dispute between the Federal Government and ASUU.
His words “We have lost a complete academic session we also have those that have lost their lives or involve in one casualty or the other due to the protracted ASUU strike. To us, the ASUU strike is germane and the only way to save public higher institutions across the nation from total collapse is to properly invest in the educational sector”.
“Public Universities have been shut down in the last seven months is not only disheartening, it connotes a clear demonstration that public tertiary education in this country is treated with utmost disregard.
“This is particularly disturbing because those who bear the brunt of these frequent crises are not privileged to seek alternatives. Yet, it is such irresponsibility, particularly, on the part of the Federal Government, that has shoehorned the citadels of learning into theatres of despair, and a reason for all stakeholders to be worried.
“We condemn the Federal Government of Nigeria for not prioritizing the concerns of ASUU after having extensive meeting with its leadership, with the view of bringing an end to the protracted industrial action. We appeal to our lecturers to intensify the campaign for proper funding of the educational sector and not limit the agitation to the welfare of their members alone.
“As we promise them that we will not allow any political campaign to hold across the country until we are back to class. This government has pushed so many Nigerians Students into depression. We say enough is enough; we can no longer bear the brunt from this avoidable crisis in our nation public ivory towers again.
“The leadership of NANS demand a better deal for education of Nigerian masses because most of the children of the privileged few now study either in overseas or in Private Universities established with our common wealth across the country by the same set of people we entrusted to govern us. This is more reason they will continue to turn deaf ears to the demand by ASUU for improve standard and condition of learning in our public higher institutions”he added.
Olumide while assuring that the leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) will continue to ground all the nation public assets, called on those misconstruing their struggle to see reason with Nigerian Students and join them in the struggle to save public education in the country.
The Chairman of the association appreciated the law agencies for protecting and sticking with them during the strike and also thanked co-compatriots in the fourth estate of the realm who, despite their tight schedule and at short notice spare their time to be part of the briefing.
Others in attendance included the National executive of the association ably represented by Akinteye Babatunde
VP (External Affairs), and the National PRO, Giwa Yisa Temitope and the legislative arm ably represented by Ekundina Elvis, the Deputy Senate President, the Zonal Coordinator, Olatunji Emmanuel and the JCC Chairmen of Oyo, Osun, Ogun, Lagos and Ondo are most appreciated for their commitment thus far in leading the agitation.
