Asuu Strike Should Be Quickly Resolved Through Positive Compromise.
(Being the text of a press release issued on 16th February 2022 by Rt. Hon. Anayo Edwin-Nwoñu, member representing Ezza North/Ishielu Federal Constituency in the National Assembly, Abuja)
1. The one-month strike embarked upon by Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, over federal government's inability to implement agreements it entered into with ASUU over better funding of the education sector is both avoidable and regrettable.
2. The unabating disruptions witnessed in the education sector due to strikes is disturbing to me, and I guess, all other stakeholders in the education sector and, indeed, all Nigerians because of the negative impacts of the strikes on the careers of Nigerian youths.
3. Inasmuch as the grouses and demands of the Academic Staff Unions of Universities, ASUU, are genuine; and the Federal Government might have been afraid of the capital intensity of ASUU's demands, I wish to hereby reiterate my earlier appeal to the Federal Government and ASUU to exploit the option of positive compromises and come to an amicable resolution of this trade dispute.
4. By positive compromise, I mean that notwithstanding the economic situation, the Federal Government should take radical reasonable steps or actions in the direction of proper funding of the Nigerian education sector because the sector cannot just remain in its state now. On the other hand, ASUU should take cognizance of the ailing economy of Nigeria, especially the fact that there are some necessary things which the Nigerian economy cannot permit the federal government to provide at the moment. With this middle-road mindset, the parties to the dispute will make necessary concessions and resolve the trade dispute to enable our youths resume their studies.
5. This way, our youths will be saved the distracting frustration which naturally flows from strikes. The Nigerian nation as a whole will also be saved the challenges of youth restiveness which usually culminates into and compounds the country's security challenges.
SIGNED:
Hon. Anayo Peter Edwin-Nwoñu.