The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology (OAUSTECH), Okitipupa, Ondo State, on Tuesday embarked
By Aderemi Bamgbose
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology (OAUSTECH), Okitipupa, Ondo State, on Tuesday embarked on a peaceful protest against poor conditions of service.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the protesters sang solidarity songs, carrying placards with series of inscriptions like: “Is it a crime to be a lecturer in Nigeria?”; “FG, what is the offence of lecturers?” among others.
Dr Rotimi Olorunisola, OAUSTECH’s ASUU Chairman, who addressed newsmen at the institution, accused the Federal Government of total neglect, saying the lecturer’s standard of living had continued to deteriorate.
He also said the Federal Government abandoned the 2009 agreement, saying ASUU members were being offered loans instead of being paid a living wage.
“We want the to ask the Federal Government what is the exact offence of ASUU members, because our welfare and conditions of services no longer matter to them.
“ASUU members standard of living have continued to deteriorate and we ask if it’s a crime to be a lecturer in Nigeria?.
“We want FG to implement the 2009 agreement which will touch us across the states, instead of giving us and our students loans, which will mortgage our future.
“If all our demands are not addressed, the union cannot guarantee industrial harmony,” Olorunisola said.
The ASUU chairman also said the peaceful protest was a result of the decision taken at the congress of the union earlier, in order to press home their demands.
According to him, the ASUU chapter is waiting for the directive from the national body and will be glad to embark on nationwide strike.
NAN reports that ASUU threatened a nationwide strike if the Federal Government refused to attend to its demands after the Aug. 28 national meeting over the 2009 agreement and other demands. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)