From JOE Hemba
The Yobe State University Governing Council and the Academic Staff Union of the University are in a disagreement over attempts to open the institution for academic activities in the ongoing ASUU strike nationwide.
ImpactOnlineNigeria reports that the Yobe State Government had earlier asked the lecturers to pull out of the ongoing strike of the union by the National body but the lecturers rejected the plea referencing local problems as well as their commitment to the struggle by their mother union.
But the Governing Council of the University after a meeting last week came out with a drastic measure to compel the union to resume classes by issuing a directive to all academic staff to resume or face sanction.
Apart from the directive that was issued, the June Salaries of all the Academic Staff of the institution has been stopped by the State Government as a measure of compelling the lecturers to return to classes.
The Council meeting held on the 23rd June, 2022 chaired by the Pro Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of the University Barr. Ahmed Mustapha Goniri rolled out resolutions calling for the lecturers to consider the educational backwardness of the state and the devastation caused by Boko insurgency on the educational sector of the state.
Part of the resolution of the council was a directive that an attendance register be opened for a roll call of lecturers that have resumed classes or complied with the directives of the Governing Council.
In a swift compliance to the Council meeting, the office of the Registrar of the Institution through the Deputy Registrar, Mr. Garba Ahmadu issued an internal memo to all Deans, Provost, Directors and HoDs to ensure that lectures commence on the 27th June, 2022.
The Pro-Chancellor who spoke exclusively with our Correspondent in Damaturu on phone said the principle of no work no pay would be applied on the striking lecturers.
"... Yes, pertaining the on going strike we will be implementing no work no pay for the lecturers. We have already put everything in place to make sure that it is implemented. I can assure you that I was on the campus today and I saw lecturers have resumed lectures. Of course not all of them are on the same page.
"Those that have the plight of the northeast and the state at heart have understood our peculiarities and resumed. Even before the strike, Yobe State University has lost so many sessions because of the insurgency. That has been the position of the government and parents and we believe ASUU should consider that and resume classes.
"I know that in the past there are other institutions that don’t join the ASUU strike. I remember even BUK at a time didn’t join ASUU strike because of the peculiarities they had at that time. We expect ASUU Yobe State University to consider the same thing. I can assure you that the problem ASUU Yobe State University has is just too small compared to other universities. other Universities are not paying salaries at all. What is outstanding in this university is Earned Allowance. as you are aware, no government has completely solved her problem even in America and other developed countries of the world. Yobe State Government has never paid a deaf ear to their demand and let me tell you, 50% of their Earned Allowance has been approved last week,” Mustapha said.
Despite all the appeals and threat, ASUU the next day, 24th June also rose from a meeting to reinstate their resolve to continue with the strike regardless of the moves by the University Governing Council.
In a response to the threats of the Governing Council, the union issued a release signed by the Branch Chairman, Dr. Mohammed Saje Jajare and Secretary Dr. Habu T. Abba said “the management of the University should avoid any form of intimidation and victimisation targeted at members of our union in exercising their fundamental rights”.
The statement also cautioned parents not to send their children to school as “doing so will amount to a waste of time and resources”.
In another emergency meeting by the Union held on the 29th June, the Union came out with a coping strategy for her members through her Cooperative scheme in the wake of the stoppage of their salaries..
“Despite imposing no work no pay on our members without notice by the state government and the University management, the congress has unanimously reiterated its position to continue with the national strike.
“As the struggle continues, the congress has commended its members for their commitment and steadfastness in the patriotic struggle for the survival of university education in the country
“The congress called on its members not to succumb to any kind threat so that it will not create division and distraction among members.
“To cushion the hardship of the salary stoppage, a coping strategy is introduced via ASUU-YOBE MULTI-PURPOSE COOPERATIVE SOCIETY. Thus, interested members should contact the EXCO of the Cooperative for more details.
“A people United can never be defeated,” the statement said.
At the moment, confusion looms over the resumption of academic activities at the institution. While the governing council claimed to be fully backed by the visitor of the university over their action, the Academic Staff Union seemed unruffled with the threats even with the stoppage of their June Salaries by the State Government.
OUTRAGE OVER SALARY STOPPAGE
There is concern over the decision of the State government to stop the salaries of the university lecturers.
Some of the citizens have taken to social media to advise the governor Mai Mala Buni against such a decision.
In an open letter to the governor from one Mohammed Abba Alkali which was published on his verified facebook page @Mohammed Abba Alkali wrote:
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“NO! NO!! NO!!!
“His Excellency is a true democrat and not a dictator, we are very much sure that he has no hand in this mess.
“Stopping Lecturers salary will never solve this problem and not a way out because their demands are genuine and justifiable. I believe that his excellency has no hand in it and will never support such an evil decision.
“Your Excellency sir, I know somebody of your calibre will never push our brothers and colleagues in to unnecessary hardship just because they are asking for their rights.
“Your Excellency sir, kindly use your skills of reconciliation, mediation and persuasion to convince the academic staff unioun of the university to call off the ongoing strike.
“Stoppage of salary and uttering of "alleged" threatening words from the governing council would never solve this problem.
“Your Excellency sir, the earned allowances that the state government is owing these lecturers is around sixty million naira only. I think the easiest way to solve this problem is to agree that the state will pay the money but in instalments, at least in three instalments which is around twenty million naira monthly. I have no doubt that it's not that difficult for the state to handle. However, the remaining demands should then be addressed subsequently.
“Your Excellency sir, we had never witnessed such a harsh decision under your predecessors, therefore you shouldn't allow any individual or group of individuals to paint you black in the eyes of the world.
“You have already written your name with a golden pen and widely accepted and recognised as the "Father of reconciliation" do not allow others to destroy the legacies you have built over night.
“I am therefore using this medium to plead with his excellency on behalf of our brothers and sisters schooling in Yobe state University to kindly intervene and solve this issue amicably using a diplomatic way.
“I pray and hope that his excellency will act in the best interest of the state to avoid prolonging this unnecessary, avoidable and preventable strike.
“Please pay them their June salaries now and let us all celebrate this sallah in peace, this will pave way to renegotiation and subsequent call off of the ongoing strike after Eid insha Allah.
“May almighty Allah continue to guide and protect our leaders. — with Mai Mala.”
