ASUU: NUT Threatens Solidarity Strike

There seems to be a new twist into the ongoing faceoff between the Federal Government and members of Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), as  teachers at the basic school level, under the umbrella of Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) have threatened to down tools, nationwide in solidarity with the striking university lecturers.

The NUT National President, Michael Olukoya, who issued the threat on Thursday, in Abuja on behalf of members, however, did not give any clue on the date for the strike.
He noted that Federal Government’s lukewarm attitude to accede to ASUU’s demands was unjust and unfair.

Olukoya said ASUU should not bulge in the face of intimidation by the Federal Government, adding that NUT stands solidly behind them in their struggle.
He said: “The NUT will not hesitate to solidarise with ASUU if the Federal Government fails to honour the existing agreement reached with them in 2009.

“This constant posture of government not to honour agreements with various unions poses great threat to real development of the education sector. It also negates government’s frequent talks of commitment to developing the education sector.

“We see the current struggle of ASUU as truly nationalistic, patriotic and self sacrificing, we commend our university teachers for remaining solid and immovable in the face of all threats.

“May we call on the Federal Government to demonstrate responsiveness and similar patriotism by acceding to the demand of ASUU, which we consider reasonable, just and fair”.

Olukoya also castigated the governments of Kogi, Benue and Cross River over their refusal to implement the minimum wage and 27.5 percent Teachers Professional Enhanced Allowance for teachers in those states.

He, however, solicited for the intervention of the National Assembly to call the affected state governments to order on the issues.

His words: “We are in pains to report the state governments of Kogi, Benue and Cross River which are still recalcitrant to implement the long term dispute on minimum wage and the 27.5 percent Teachers Professional Enhanced Allowance.

“We wish to call on the federal government and National Assembly to rise to the challenge of calling these derelict state governments to order, lest they up turn the apple cart of peace and stability of those states,” he stated.