Prof. Ige Azeem, during a Twitter Space organised by UCJ LAUTECH has stated that the management will continue to appeal to LAUTECH ASUU to withdraw from the ongoing National strike.
The Twitter space which took on Wednesday with the theme, “ASUU strike: The fate of LAUTECH as a State University” had over 1700 LAUTECH students tuned in , including the invited guests: Hon. Victor Olojede ( SA to the Oyo State Governor on Student Affairs), Prof. Biodun Olaniran ( LAUTECH ASUU Chairman), Prof Ige Azeem (Dean of Student Affairs) and Adeboye Anuoluwa (LSUG President).
The space which was hosted by UCJ LAUTECH.
After welcoming the guests, the host started the conversation by recalling the poll UCJ had on Twitter asking students to decide if the ongoing strike has been negative or positive for them. The result, a ratio of 75:25.
The first question the host asked was for Prof Abiodun, which was why LAUTECH need to be part of the strike. He asked this citing how recently some universities pulled out and some schools didn’t joined at all.
Prof Abiodun, first addressed, the gathering before going on to state that one can’t compare LAUTECH with any university because LAUTECH is the best state university in Nigeria and one of the best universities in the country.
“In Nigeria, we have just one university system NUS (National University system) anchored by NUC (National University Commission) which all university adhere to without no discrimination,” he continued.
He added that LAUTECH needs to join the strike, because of the single university system and therefore bcannot pull out.
Prof Abiodun said, “Lautech has had several strikes in the past and have been joining the national strike, since it’s creation in 1990, therefore can’t pull out of this one. All the team being put up in the negotiation between ASUU and federal government include federal and state government often fail to produce sustainable results. In 2009, the Federal government had an agreement with the ASUU, and the agreement was not adequately implemented. So, it needs renegotiation because it’s supposed to be renewed every 3 years and since 2009, the lecturers has been receiving the same salary.”
The host further asked about the IPPIS.
“The bone of contention for this strike is the IPPIS system applied to the payment of staffs in the Universities, why are some state universities on strike and why are others not? If the strike ends anytime, there
Prof Abiodun replied that there are several of packages LAUTECH lecturers are being owed.
He said as a union there are things the government needs to do for the ongoing strike to be resolved.He added there are 4 major principles which the national strike is on: Condition of service salary – No increment in salary till date, University autonomy – The best equipment for teaching are all NEEDS assessment and that’s the source of the best equipment, classroom and all project .
“They have all been the struggle of ASUU LAUTECH.What has been the contribution of the government?. The major issue is the problem of same salary since 2009.”
He recalled the time when the vice chancellor of universities earns way above a Federal Ministers.
The LAUTECH ASUU chairman said,
“You can quote me anywhere,LAUTECH cannot & will never be put aside in the committee of NUS.The last NEEDS assessment paid, LAUTECH got 291 million,while other universities who did not participate did not get anything.
The host asked the SA to Oyo state government on student affairs for what the government is doing to ensure the ongoing strike comes to an end?
He replied, “The government is working to ensure that LAUTECH pulls out, not because their demands are not necessary. But there should be a better approach.One thing we know for sure is that there will be a good news very soon. “
When Prof Abiodun was asked for he way forward, he stated that the solution needed was good Governance;
Prof Ige when speaking on the effort LAUTECH Management is making to call off the ongoing strike said the best thing is for the University to reopen.
“The management of the university is doing a lot to get students back to classes. We’ve had several meetings.We will make an appeal to LAUTECH ASUU and their excos. The management is making plans.
Anuoluwa, the SUG president also shared in students’ grievances asked if the issue is from the state government or from LAUTECH management.
“Why is it so hard for LAUTECH ÁSUU to pull out? If other states universities can pull out,I see no reason why LAUTECH should not do the same. What is our fate if National ASUU calls off national strike tomorrow,that LAUTECH ASUU won’t embark on another? We have solicited and are still soliciting. If nothing is done then student will have no other choice than to mobilize ourselves to the visitor.”
