The National Association of Nigerian Students in South-West has reiterated its stand with the Academic Staff Union of Universities amidst the ongoing strike.
The South-West geopolitical zone of NANS led by Adegboye Olatunji, dissociated itself from what it described as a “reckless, inconsiderate and myopic statement” from some persons trying to make ASUU look like the villain.
In a statement signed by the Deputy Coordinator of the zone, Alao John, on Saturday, he stated that the Federal Government should, rather, as a matter of urgency, yield to the memorandum of agreement with ASUU.
John noted that they have had a meeting with the South-West zone of ASUU and realised that the demands of the lecturers are still the same.
“A quick analysis of the root cause of the ongoing industrial action in the course of the meeting, and a cursory look at the history of ASUU strike actions in Nigeria shows a striking similarity in the demands of ASUU over time.
“This also reveals how the two-term administration of President Muhammadu Buhari and other successive Federal Government regimes have failed to stem the infrastructural deficiency and academic decay on our campuses.
“The problems of decayed and inadequate infrastructure, archaic facilities and equipment, acute staff shortage, poor funding, decreased subvention, non-payment of salary backlogs, among others remain persistent.
“The above and others have been a concurrent feature in the demands of ASUU for years, ” the statement read in part.
“As much as we totally condemn this strike action, it will be tantamount to irresponsibility to cast aspersions on the integrity of ASUU or to tag the union as the villain in this case,” John added.
The student body also maintained that if NANS would be holding any protest, it will be against the Federal Government and not ASUU.
“NANS southwest is standing tall with ASUU and we are pragmatically ready to do a walk with ASUU,” he added.
Copyright PUNCH.
All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH.
Contact: [email protected]
