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| Dr. Celestine Jumbo |
Today, all Branches of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU prepare to meet so as to discuss the "Take it or leave it" offer by the Federal government. According to the offer, Federal government is proposing a Sixty Thousand Naira salary increase for Nigerian Professors while a Thirty Thousand Naira increase for Graduate Lecturers.
One of the lingering issues now is the No-Work-No-Pay policy of the Federal government, which some Lawyers said the policy is valid. But, ASUU disagreed.
Daily News Report samples opinions from different parties; particularly comments from Students, Parents and lecturers.
According to Ahmed Abdullahi, he said "I didn't support the ASUU Strike, but that no-work-no-pay policy of Federal government is not the way forward." He however said that an half Salary could be negotiated with the Lectures.
Omojowo Ajosanmi said, "Only ASUU won't work for months and hope to get paid for work they didn't do..."
A tweep- Isa-Ali Usman said "ASUU is too adamant and I don't even know if they are waiting for their agreement to be implemented before resuming or they are now waiting for salary, Lol"
Ola Tunji reacted "Isn't that annoying? I'm not proud to be part of this destiny wasting contraption at all"
Mainwhile, as a defence to ASUU, One of the Varsity Lecturers, Dr. Celestine Jumbo of the Adekunle Ajasin University, Akugba-Akoko, Ondo State said the No-Work-No-Pay policy can not stand for ASUU, he said ASUU is not like Labour, stating that among three duties of a Lecturer, only teaching is suspended while others are ongoing.
"Perfectly, I do understand students' frustration over the protracted strike action but your vituperation exudes much ignorance of the schedules of academics. The gamut of academic work rest firmly on the tripods of research, teaching and community service. Since the ongoing industrial action commenced, only teaching is suspended while the other two are still being undertaken.
"Students shouldn't allowed themselves to be misinformed by the pretentious Government officials whose children and wards are schooling overseas," he said.
GodspowerOlorunsaanumi said should Federal government wants to pay the lectures, "Make FG tell them they will pay it with IPPIS , I wan see something"
Daily News Report chatted with a Don of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, according to the Don who pleaded anonymity, she said she can feel the plight of Students and Parents about the ongoing strike; but said the strike is inevitable so as to improve the Educational standard of Nigerian Varsities.
"We lectures too aren't happy about the strike, but we have no option than the Strike. Imagine me as a Professor, earning below Five Hundred Thousand Naira after deducting all Taxes, whereas an odinary person, whose job is to write and defend President Buhari on the Social Media is earning close to a Million Naira.
"Our Universities need to be upgraded, that is also on our agitation," She added.
Another student- Stephen Awogbola, who is speaking from the plight of Students' losses said "ASUU and FG are scamming us, they don't even know if our rent is wasting or not. Who will pay for our rent? I'm sure those landlords will not pity us when we resume."
Also, a student from the Ekiti State University, Miss Deborah Olaniyi said "I will advice both FG and ASUU to resolve this issue amicably and call off the strike. I know ASUU is also fighting for the students, but FG too is fighting for its own purse. I don't believe there is no money in this Country, so FG should talk to ASUU and agree on how to make their payment.
"Lecturing Job is not easy at all. Even we taking Tutorials on Campus know what it requires to do tutorials. I pray we resume back to School soon, can't wait!" She added.