NANS vow to mobilise students against ASUU latest strike

The one-month strike declared by the university lecturers may not have a smooth sail as the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has directed its states and zonal structures to mobilise students against the Federal Government and ASUU.

NANS President, Sunday Asefon, in a statement in Abuja, stated this just as he accused the Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, of not living up to his responsibilities, hence the decision of ASUU to withdraw services nationwide.

He warned that students would disrupt official activities in their offices in Abuja until the resolution of the strike.

ASUU had said it was embarking on a month strike to mount pressure on the Federal Government to meet its demands.

But the Federal Government in a its reaction said ASUU was insincere, especially considering the reasons given for embarking on the warning strike.

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Speaking at a briefing in Lagos on Monday, National President of ASUU, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, said the decision became necessary because the Federal Government had ignored them and refused to meet their demands.

But NANS expressed disappointment with the decision of ASUU members to declare nationwide strike over failure of government to implement the agreement it reached with the union.

The statement read in part, “We thought that ASUU and Federal Government officials would have allowed reasons to prevail, reach a compromise, act responsibly in the interest of the education sector and indeed Nigeria, to do all that is required to responsibly avert this avoidable strike.

“We are appalled by the impunity, recklessness, and irresponsibility the managers of the negotiation from both sides have managed the fragile situation allowing it to degenerate to the level of industrial action.

“We are, therefore, compelled to believe that negotiators from both sides acted so irresponsibly because of their apathy to the interest and welfare of the major stakeholder of the sector (students) during the negotiations.

“We are equally disappointed at the government for not doing everything possible to avert this embarrassment. We are also disappointed with the ASUU for reaching the conclusion irrespective of the implications to the students, academic calendar, research they claim to love, national security, and sanity.”