Federal University, Kashere, Gombe State chapter of Academic Staff Union of Universities, has started a sensitisation of members to the failure of the Federal Government to fulfill its 2020 Memorandum of Action.
According to the chairperson of the branch, Shehu El-rasheed, who announced lecture free on Wednesday, this was imperative to draw the attention of the public to their plights.
He revealed that since 2009 Nigerian university lecturers have remained on the same salary scale, stressing that this has remained despite inflationary pressure on the purchasing power of currency.
El-rasheed said, “Today, in compliance to the National Executive Council, we declared 9th February 2022 as lecture free day. Our Congress is that of mobilisation, and it took a unanimous resolution.
“We call on the federal government to honour the Memorandum of Action it willingly signed with our union which include; welfare of our members, our welfare is nothing to write home about most especially the harsh economic situation we have found ourselves, imagine a professor earning lesser than 1000 USD compared to other countries.”
He noted that the branch is given to the NEC decision, adding that the federal government has the responsibility to quell the looming mass action by men in gown.
“The branch is in full support and ever ready to comply with any action the National Executive Council might have resolved to take. Should NEC embark on an action this time, it must be total, comprehensive and indefinite, “he added.
Also speaking, immediate past Chairperson of the congress, Salihu Jida, said the government reneged on its promise of reviewing their pay after 2009.
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