Cartoon depicting the strike which has hit Nigeria in the university sector since July 2013. The ASUU is demanding the enforcement of a 2009 agreement., a photo by Pan-African News Wire File Photos on Flickr.
MOUAU TEACHERS DEMONSTRATE TO PRESS HOME THEIR DEMAND
Sunday, 17 November 2013 00:00
by Gordi Udeajah, Umuahia
Nigerian Guardian
SECURITY personnel added colours to the peaceful demonstration staged by the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture (MOUA), Umudike, Umuahia chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to press Federal Government to implement the agreement it signed with the union in 2009 against which the body commenced a national strike since July 2013.
Before the demonstration commenced, the Police, Civil Defence and SSS personnel had stationed at the university gate to stop the university teachers from carrying their action beyond the campus gate.
The Guardian learnt that the action of the security agents was meant to prevent non-ASUU members from causing breach of the peace in the state capital.
Addressing members, the branch Chairman, ASUU MOUA, Dr. Uzochukwu Onyebinama said the action was to let the public know that Federal Government is yet to implement the agreement that led to the national strike.
He asserted that the strike was not politically motivated, stating that this would be ascertained if ASUU fails to call off the strike after the demands are met. No university has accessed the N100billion the Federal Government claimed it released to the universities.”
The Coordinator of ASUU, Calabar Zone, Dr. Charles Ononuju, described the strike as a national struggle to save public education in Nigeria, insisting that no matter the intimidation and blackmail against ASUU, the strike would continue until the demands are met in full.
Also speaking at the rally, ASUU National Financial Secretary, Dr Emma Osodeke, said, “ASUU embarked on the strike when all peaceful means and negotiations with government failed.
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