The National Union of Teachers (NUT) on Saturday marked the 2013 World Teacher’s Day in Abuja, conferring Excellence Awards on three state Governors- Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara, Ibrahim Geidam of Yobe and Enugu’s Sulivan Chime for their invaluable contributions to education sector.
However, the Union used the opportunity to remind the Federal Government that it will embark on solidarity strike with the members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) at the expiration of its ultimatum.
The lecturers have been on strike for over three month now over non-implementation of the 2009 agreements by the federal government. About ten days ago, NUT also served the federal government notice to solidarise with ASUU members, giving two weeks ultimatum within which the demands of ASUU should be met.
Speaking at the award ceremony, NUT National President, Michael Olukoya, insisted primary and secondary schools across the country will be shut down from next week Thursday should government fail to meet ASUU’s demands.
He also advised the federal government to constitute a high-level committee that will include the President himself, the leadership of the National Assembly and former President Olusegun Obasanjo to meet with the lecturers so as to resolve the grey areas in earnest.
Olukoya commended the federal government for making some funds; about N130 billion available for the development of infrastructures in the nation’s Universities, adding that it could do more in the interest of the nation.
He spoke further, “The National Executive Council of our great union met about nine days ago wherein the state of the nation was perused. We discovered that the way and manner education is going in this country is not good and something proactive should be done to change it.
“So consequent upon that meeting, it was resolved that if in a fortnight the lingering problem between ASUU and federal government is not resolved, we should not hesitate to solidarise with them to ensure that education is properly footed, fitted and transformed.
“Let me say, immediately we gave that ultimatum the first person to invite us was the Minister of Labour and the Supervising Minister for Education, we met with them and they told us all that they have been able to do to put the matter behind us.
“We have not been able to meet with ASUU but we advised that if this people said they need about N400 billion and you have been able to provide N130 billion, well to all intent and purposes is a good beginning. But then ASUU members are academics, they are not fools, maybe their fear is that in the past people have been reneging on promises.
“So, in order to now build the confidence into this new found love, NUT advises that they involve powerful voices in this country like the Senate President, Speaker of the House of Representatives that will take care of the legislative arm. Past heads of state like Olusegun Obasanjo and Mr. President himself, including representatives of Vice Chancellors of universities because we cannot continue to stay at home.
“So this is what we told them and they promised us this week (last week) they are going to key into it and we are waiting. But that does not mean that we are no longer carrying out our action if by fortnight our students are still at home, sincerely speaking we shall shut all the schools, primary and secondary. It is high time we solidarise to ensure that the right thing is done at the appropriate time”.
Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed who spoke on behalf of his colleagues from Yobe and Enugu after receiving the award for excellence also used the occasion to appeal to the striking teachers to reconsider their stand in the interest of the nation.
“I’m sure the federal government is looking at it critically to ensure all areas of dispute are brought to an understanding that will bring to an end the current dispute”, he assured.
