… govt to proscribe ASUU
The ongoing negotiations between Kogi State government and the leadership of Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) of the Kogi State University, KSU, seems to have failed to resolve the lingering ‘No Pay, No Work’ action that has kept the academic institution on her kneels for three months.
In a media report today, the state government made it clear that it will no longer accommodate further protests by students of the university. Government pledged to treat students who take to street to protest as kidnappers and armed robbers. Government also stated her readiness to proscribe ASUU in a her bid end the labour crisis.
Yesterday, Governor Yahaya Bello ordered the Vice Chancellor of the University to re-open the school for commencement of academic activities with immediate effect. The governor allegedly issue further directives to the VC to open an attendance register for all academic staff of the institution.
Efforts to reach the ASUU Chairman, Dr. Daniel Aina, has proved abortive but some lecturers who commented on the new stance of the state government are not on the same page with the government. A lecturer, Dr. Linus, in his response on social media, took exception to the recent directives. According to him, “history has shown that even under military dictatorships such arm twisting ploy has never worked. It is a pity that the path of dialogue has been jettisoned because of ego. But as it is said, those who shun dialogue will sooner than later, come to the negotiating table with their tails wagging between their legs!”
As at press time, there is no official statement from ASUU in relaton to the recent directive from government.
