SSANU, NASU vow to floor varsities, FG feigns ignorance

On Sunday, Muhammed Ibrahim, the National President of SSANU, informed Foxiz NIGERIA that the two unions had been set for a nationwide strike.

However, the Minister for Training, Prof. Tahir Mamman, stated he was unaware of SSANU/NASU’s deliberate strike.

In a textual content message despatched to one in every one of our correspondents on Sunday, the minister stated, “I’m not conscious of any deliberate strike. However, I do know the matter is being considered at the highest government stage. I’ll get through to them.”

Also Read: SSANU, NASU sort out FG, declare a seven-day strike

The Federal Authorities, implementing the no-work, no-pay coverage, had withheld the salaries of college employees following a protracted strike in 2021.

Nevertheless, the federal authorities launched four months of withholding salaries to members of the Tutorial Employees Union of Universities in February; however, they ignored SSANU and NASU.

In several letters, the two unions demanded that their withheld salaries be equally launched and gave the Federal Authorities a request with a risk of embarking on a nationwide strike.

Chatting with The PUNCH on Sunday, the SSANU chief,  Ibrahim, stated, “The Joint Motion Committee of NASU and SSANU has inundated the Federal Authorities with the necessity to pay the withheld four-month salaries of our members within the federal universities and inter-university centres as accomplished for our educational counterpart to no avail.

“As a matter of reality, the eye of Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, Chief of Employees to the President, and Prof. Tahir Mamman, SAN, the Honourable Minister of Training, were known as to this injustice and unfair therapy of our members in our letter referenced JAC/NS/VOL.I/277 and dated thirteenth February 2024. We are known as on them to resolve the difficulty positively earlier than it results in a pointless upheaval in our college sector.

“In an analogous vein, a press launch was issued on 1st March 2024, and the Federal Authorities were given a seven-day ultimatum to do the needful in respect of the fee of the withheld four months’ salaries; however, nothing was accomplished on the matter.

 “Having waited patiently for the ultimatum to run out with no optimistic response from the federal government, that is to direct our members within the universities and inter-university centres all through the nation to begin a seven-day warning strike efficient Monday, 18th March 2024 within the first occasion.”

Additionally, SSANU Nationwide Vice-President Abdussobur Salaam stated the federal government had not made any supply to the union because it began the agitation to pay its withheld salaries.

“We’ve not heard anything from the federal government; they aren’t saying anything about the salaries’ fees, no guarantees, no negotiation. We aren’t saying they need to pay everything directly. At the very least, they need to show dedication, speak to us, and inform us when we should count on the fee, but nothing from them. They’ve been silent even after our warning strike press assertion; nonetheless, nothing.”