A Past President of Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Dr. Omede Idris, has applauded Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) for the suspension of her warning strike.
In a statement on Wednesday, Dr. Omede called on Federal Government to reciprocate the gesture by addressing the frequent reasons for strike and disruption of academic calendar through mutual resolutions.
He pointed out that the repeated failure of government to honour agreement it entered into with the union has created much distrust.
“It is sad to see, that despite advocacy, apparent mutual understanding between the workforce and the government, that strike action has often being the last tool to drive home demands of most workforce in the country arising from unkept and unmet terms, conditions and agreement by government.
“It is unfortunate that the employer or the government has allowed this to happen over time, creating distrust. As a people the question that begs for answer is ‘why does successive government appear to enjoy this unhealthy relationship with her workforce, especially those in universities and the health sector’?
“From the press conference by the ASUU President today chronicling the levels of intervention and engagement that led to the strike suspension, it is expected that government will expeditiously address these frequent reasons for strike and disruption of academic calendar through mutual resolutions.
“The ASUU leadership under Prof Chris Piwuna, and her members have shown rationality with this decision to suspend the strike. It is therefore expected, anticipated and desirable that the Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Education reciprocates this gesture,” he said.
In like manner, Dr. Omede called on the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare to resolve areas of disagreement, dispute and unmet agreement and understand with the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) and the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), that have kept the membership of both associations on edge. This, he said, will avert any painful consequences.
