As ultimatum given by the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, to the government to implement its demands or face another round of industrial action ended on Sunday, the former has said Nigerians will know its position within 24 hours.<\/p>\n
ASUU President, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke told journalists that the union would declare its position shortly after consultations to branches had been made.<\/p>\n
He said the meeting held by the principal officers on Sunday resolved to proceed on consultation with branches as prescribed by ASUIU\u2019s laid-down role, after which a position will be taken.<\/p>\n
The consultation which he said, was ongoing, would be through within the next one day after which the union would come out with its position.<\/p>\n
Asked about the outcome of the meeting the union held Sunday, he said: \u201cIt is the principal officers that met yesterday (Sunday)\u201d, explaining that,\u201d Following our procedures, we are going to the branches to consult them and then we will come to take the final decision.\u201d<\/p>\n
When asked how long would it take the union to come out with its position, he said, \u201cImmediately, you will hear from them today.\u201d<\/p>\n
Recall that the ultimatum given by the union for government to accede to its demands or face another round of strikes ended yesterday.<\/p>\n
The union had threatened to embark on another round of strikes following the Federal Government\u2019s failure to implement the Memorandum of Action (MoA) agreed upon.<\/p>\n
Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, ASUU National President, at a news conference at the union\u2019s National Secretariat, University of Abuja, had called on parents and all patriotic Nigerians to hold the Federal Government responsible if it failed to address the issues within three weeks after the news conference.<\/p>\n
According to him, despite the unions meeting with the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige on October 14, on major outstanding issues which include, funding for revitalisation of public universities and earned academic allowances.<\/p>\n
Other outstanding issues, he said, were University Transparency Accountability Solution (UTAS) promotion arrears, renegotiation of the 2009 ASUU-FGN agreement, and the inconsistencies in IPPIS payment, which up till now had not been addressed.<\/p>\n
\u201cASUU is fully committed to upholding academic integrity in the universities and is working to make them more globally competitive.<\/p>\n
We are equally committed to promoting industrial harmony in the Nigerian university system for as long as all stakeholders are willing and committed to play their part.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe call on all Vice-Chancellors, as the main drivers of the system to join us in this mission to safeguard the waning image of our universities.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey have no business trading honorary degrees and academic positions for personal and immediate gains; thereby smearing the collective integrity of committed scholars and other patriots who are working day and night to uplift the system that produced them.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur union shall not shy away from taking the fight to administrators of Nigerian universities as well as internal and external agents who are bent on compromising the standards ASUU has consistently laboured to protect and improve.<\/p>\n