With the recent negotiations between the Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), there have been hopes by students and parents alike that the over eight months industrial action by the academic body would soon come to an end. However, as the days go by, the hopes faded, leaving citizens with no concrete stance as to when the strike would be called off.
Speaking with The Tide in a telephone chat, the Chairman, Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), University of PortHarcourt Chapter, Dr Austin Sado urged citizens not to apportion blames of the protracted strike action on the union adding that the Union was ever ready to return to the lecture halls as soon as the aide mands are met.
Sado maintained that the ASUU’s demands were for the good of the poor Nigerian students, stating that the public should not blame the union for showing concern for the good of the public universities.
Describing the act of the government as propaganda and cheap blackmail, Sado said the offer of N30 billion for the revitalisation of over 90 public universities in the country was not quantifiable.
According to him, our demand is in the best interest of the Nigerian universities. “It is for the poor Nigerian students to be able to access quality education. We are only asking that the government should put money into the university system in order to achieve this. If the people feel that we should return to classes  on the basis of what they hear the government say, then, they are not concerned about the education of their children”.
Sado further stated that the issue of the Integrated Payroll and Personal Information System (IPPIS) was not part of the initial negotiations and urged the Federal Government to shun distractions and focus on the major issues for the educational growth of the nation.

By: Lady Godknows Ogbulu