By Harry Awurumibe, Editor Abuja Bureau
The embattled leadership of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has directed all university teachers, hitherto on strike, to return to their various classrooms as from 12.1pm on Friday, ending the industrial action it called on February 14, 2022, exactly on the dot of eight months.
ASUU President, Professor Emmanuel Osodeke who led a spirited battle against the Federal Government, said in a statement released to the media on Friday at the end of its National Executive Council (NEC) emergency meeting, that the meeting was called to review the developments since the union declared an indefinite strike action on August 29, after stretching what was originally meant to be warning strikes on two occasions.
He stated that the development would come despite the non-resolution of the issues, including funding for revitalisation of public universities, earned academic allowances, proliferation of public universities, visitation panels/release of white papers, which led to the strike in the first place.
Osodeke said other unresolved issues, include: University Transparency and Accountability Solution (UTAS) as a broad spectrum software to stop illegality and provide for an alternative payment platform in the university system and renegotiation of the 2009 Agreement.
Said he:” ASUU-NEC noted with regrets that the issues in dispute were yet to be satisfactorily addressed, “however, as a law-abiding union and in deference to appeals by Mr. President and in recognition of the efforts of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila, and other well-meaning Nigerians, ASUU-NEC resolved to suspend the strike action embarked upon on Feb. 14″.
“Consequently, all members of ASUU are hereby directed to resume all services hitherto withdrawn with effect from 12:01 on Friday, Oct. 14”.
Osodeke however, noted that during the intervening period, the Minister of Labour and Employment, through a referral, approached the National Industrial Court (NIC).
According to him, for the interpretation of “the provision of sections 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 & 18 (1) of the Trade Dispute Act, Cap T8 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria.
“Whether the on-going prolonged strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities which started since Feb. 14 is legal even after statutory apprehension by the Minister of Labour and Employment?”
“In addition, he asked for an interlocutory order against the continuation of the strike. The National Industrial Court in its wisdom gave an order compelling ASUU to resume work pending the determination of the substantive suit. Given the nature of the order, and in the opinion of our counsel, there was the need to appeal the interlocutory injunction granted against our Union at the Court of Appeal.
“The Court of Appeal acknowledged the validity of the grounds of the Union’s appeal but still upheld the order of the lower court. It ordered our union to comply with the ruling of the lower court as condition precedent for the appeal to be heard.”
