The statement credited to Mr. Jude Imagwe, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Youth and Student Matters, by the Vanguard Newspaper (29/9/13) to the effect that ASUU is being economical with the truth on the issues of contention in the on-going strike is to say the least unfortunate. It shows how those in charge of the affairs of this country have lost touch with reality. Mr Imagwe wants everyone to believe that if the ASUU strike is indeed about the need to revive public Universities then the striking lecturers should have sheathed their swords since the Federal Government earmarked N100billiom for infrastructural development and released 30 billion for payment of outstanding allowances. He also went on to say “It is important for the public to know that government did not say this is all that it will give, but government says go and start the payment with this amount and let us know the amount it will add”. This kind of perspective by all standards and much worse coming from a Presidential Assistant is pedestrian.
What is in contention and for which ASUU has continued its indefinite strike is that the spirit and letters of the 2009 FG/ASUU agreement be implemented. That is all! Nothing more; nothing less. Though not a law like the N18,000 minimum wage act, still the 2009 FG/ASUU agreement is a binding agreement. Whatever proposals coming from the government that does not correspond with the provision of this agreement is null and void; such proposals are insincere and a betrayal of the other party in the agreement. Meanwhile the proposal of N100 billion, which Mr Imagwe expects ASUU to gratefully accept, is ridiculous considering that the least the agreement stipulated as year-on-year provision for upgrade of facilities in Universities is N400 billion.
One pertinent question which Mr Imagwe should answer is: How reasonable is the theory that the Federal Government cannot afford N400billion to jumpstart its ailing Universities when the same government once spent a whooping N620 billion to bail out failed banks? We all know how many billions the government is pouring into the centenary celebration and how many more will be spent on 2015 elections. Interestingly the only time government claims to be broke is when it has to meet the basic needs of ordinary Nigerians. At other times when it is the interests of bankers, big business and politicians that is at stake, no one hears any complaints.
It is curious and rather unfortunate that a government that has in its cabinet people who by virtue of their association with the education sector should hold the interest of public education dear is failing the education sector. President Jonathan was a University lecturer while his Senior Special Assistant, Mr. Jude Imagwe is a former NANS president. As a former NANS president who now occupies such an exalted office, one expects a more positive contribution from Mr. Imagwe towards the resolution of the crisis rocking the education sector. We respectfully ask Mr Jude Imagwe to do his job properly by advising the President to be honourable not merely in words but also in deeds by implementing agreements reached with ASUU and other unions and to also be sincerely committed to improving the funding of public education.
The rash method of engagement favoured by President Jonathan and his handlers which consists of campaign of disformation and blackmail aimed at breaking a genuine agitation of ASUU and other unions to demand improvement in the condition of public education will not work this time. Nigerians, including students can see who is to blame for this prolonged strike. It is not ASUU but the Federal government that is keeping students at home and if anyone is lying, it is the Federal Government which failed to honour the agreements.
Hassan Taiwo Soweto
National Coordinator
Education Rights Campaign (ERC)
07033697259
E-Mail: taiwoafrikana@yahoo.com
