The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics, ASUP, said it will commence a “total and comprehensive indefinite” strike today over the federal government’s failure to fulfil the outstanding agreement made with the union.
The National President of the union, Usman Dutse, on Sunday said, there was a meeting between the union and the ministry of labour on October 16, with an agreement to develop a memorandum of understanding to resolve the issues but that they have not heard from the other party.
“We were told by the federal ministry of labour that a memorandum of understanding will be given, but we’ve not gotten one till date and that is why our members say there is no seriousness on the side of the government,” he said.
Dutse said another meeting with the federal government had been scheduled for Wednesday, November 15.
“All academic activities will be suspended during the strike,” he said.
“Our union is constrained to lament that our sector is on the verge of collapse and needs all the emergency attention it urgently deserves,” he added.
Just at the moment we thought the era of students having to stay an extra 2 to 3 years in school due to unnecessary strikes was over, ASUU lecturers have embarked on yet another strike.
It certainly felt like Deja Vu when the National President of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Dr. Biodun Ogunyemi, announced the strike on Monday at a meeting of the National Executive Council (NEC) of ASUU in Abuja that there would be an indefinite strike and that during the strike, there will be no teaching, no examination and no attendance of statutory meetings of any kind in any of the union’s branches across the country.
It is easy for affected students to get into a lazy mode, where they sit around doing nothing or just meshing the entire time into one long continual nap fest… wasting valuable time and making no positive strides in their life all through the period of the strike.
If you are one of the affected students and you are wondering how you could possibly make this “indefinite” time worth your while, you may want to consider a handy list of helpful suggestions.
A. START A BUSINESS
There is no age too young for becoming an entrepreneur. Use this period at home to start a small business. You could either sell products or render a service. The good thing is that you do not necessarily need a large capital to get yourself started. You also have the social media as a very important promotional tool.
You could start a home cleaning service or food delivery service…there are so many options.
Managing a business gives you a lot of opportunities to gain a lot of experience with will be beneficial when you eventually conclude your studies.
B. LEARN A NEW SKILL
You finally have the time to learn a new skill. It could be photography, jewelry making, learning to play an instrument like the saxophone or guitar, baking, writing and producing music or playing a sport like football, tennis or volleyball. Take the time to learn it and get really good at it. Not only does it give you an edge and provide opportunities for a side hustle, it will help build your self-confidence and give you value for time invested.
C. ENROLL FOR A PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATION COURSE
The university might be closed but there are other avenues for learning. You can enroll in short courses online or for professional classes that will grant you certain qualifications that may become relevant in future. Even if you do not have the money to pay for these courses, you can go for free ones on portals like Coursera or Edx. You don’t necessarily have to get a certificate; the idea is to acquire new knowledge that will be relevant to your career goals or aspirations.
D. GET A JOB
While you are at home, you might as well make a little money. Get a job as an intern or assistant in an office or company. You can even get a job as a paid apprentice at a salon or creative studio. Even more, you may decide to go for something freelance like writing or blogging.
The beauty of the internet is that you can get connected to so many job opportunities without necessarily breaking a sweat. The money made may not be the kind that will set you up for life, but it may be enough for extra chills…and then again, working would be fun and educational. You learn the value of time and money and attain the essence of work ethic and work culture.
E. VOLUNTEER
Volunteering is a great way to give back to the society or just do some good with your time. You can volunteer at NGOs or religious organizations, where the aim is to help others and better the society.
You could also get involved in a number of empowerment programs tailored for young people where certain skillsets you possess may be needed.
There is a measure of accomplishment and sense of fulfilment that comes with serving humanity. It also exposes you to great opportunities like training, travel e.t.c.
F. TRAVEL
There is never a bad time to travel. As a student, you may not have a lot of resources available for long leisurely trips, but you can visit another state within the country or just other cities within your state. Travelling can be fun and educational at the same time for students.
It is also a great way for students to learn more about the world around you and open yourself to alternative cultures tradition and lifestyles. You could travel to other African cities or continents if you can afford it or you have a sponsor as well. The important thing though, is that you keep your ear on the ground while on your travels, so you are well informed when the strike is called off.
G. ATTEND SEMINARS AND PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT EVENTS
The period at home maybe offers a great opportunity to improve your social skills. Attend conferences and seminars as well as events. It does not have to be professional or vocational seminars or events. It could be events that offer opportunities to explore your hobbies or just enjoy yourself. Also, it offers opportunities for networking and exposes you to new connections. It could be book readings, slam poetry competitions, meet-ups, concerts e.t.c
The truth is that being on an “indefinite” strike sucks; however, being positive about how you spin it, could make the time really worth your while. Can you think of other ways students can engage themselves pending when ASUU calls off the strike?
Source
The Cable
9 popular Universities in Nigeria have failed to comply with the current nationwide ASUU industrial strike as the pressure group strong-arms the government.
The Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, on Monday declared a nationwide indefinite strike.
Some schools have complied with the order while some are yet to. Here are the schools who aren't on strike:
1. Obafemi Awolowo University, OAU says it will not join the strike.
2. University of Ilorin, UNILORIN says it will not join the strike.
3. University of Lagos, UNILAG. Authorities at the University of Lagos to comply from Wednesday.
4. LASU, The Lagos State University is currently on a lecture-free week pending examinations. Authorities say they'll comply as soon as possible.
5. University of Benin, UNIBEN is to join strike on Wednesday
6. Ambrose Ali University, AAU is to join strike on Wednesday
7. University of Abuja, UNIABUJA is to join on Wednesday.
8. Ebonyi State University (EBSU) said it will hold a congress to decide whether to comply or not.
9. Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto is to make a decision on Wednesday.
Following the outcome of the referendum meeting held! Sunday afternoon in Abuja by the union leaders, the Academic staff Union of Universities has declared an indefinite strike from Monday 14th August 2017.
This the Union leader says is to persuade the Federal government to meet their demands. This came after several branches of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) have voted overwhelmingly for members in both federal and state universities to embark on an indefinite strike to press home the implementation of their demands.
ASUU branches nationwide on Friday held a referendum in line with an earlier directive by the National Executive Council (NEC) to vote whether the strike will be indefinite strike, one month strike, one week warning and no strike.
The meeting of ASUU NEC was held on Sunday 13th August at the union’s secretariat at Abuja to deliberate on the outcome of the referendum conducted by the branches. Feelers from the NEC meeting indicate that several of the branches including the University of Lagos (UNILAG), University of Ibadan (UI) and Lagos State University (LASU) voted for an indefinite industrial action. One of ASUU Zonal Coordinators told our Correspondent that his zone voted overwhelmingly for strike and that the outcome of the referendum conducted on Friday will be collated to enable the union take a position.
Among issues in contention includes, federal government breach of the 2009 FG/ASUU Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed agreement on financing grant to state universities, conditions of service, non implementation of Earned Academic Allowance (EAA) and re -negotiation of the agreement.
Other outstanding issues are non provision of revitalization funds to public universities, non release of NUPEMCO operational licence, payment of half salaries to members and government owing universities outstanding N880 billion in intervention fund.
The Academic Staff Union of Universities,(ASUU) University of Ibadan chapter, has declared a one-week warning strike over illegal pension deductions, fractional salary payments and non-payment of supervision allowance.
The decision was taken on Tuesday at a congress convened by the union and presided over by its chairman, Dr. Deji Omole.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that members also complained over excessive deductions from their March salaries.
The management of the university was also alleged to have failed to declare the Internally Generated Revenue profile of the university.
According to Omole, the warning strike is, therefore, to compel the university administration to address the issues which ASUU said bordered on the welfare of its members who are being owed since 2010.
“The congress of ASUU, UNIBADAN, at its meeting of 4th April, 2017, having received permission from the national body of the union, hereby, declares a one-week warning strike.
“The warning strike will commence from 12:01 midnight of Tuesday, 4th April, to 12:00 midnight of Tuesday, 11th April, 2017.
“The congress of the union maintains that the failure of the university administration to satisfactorily resolve all the issues will force the union to proceed on a comprehensive and total strike,” said Omole.
The congress, which was well attended, was also addressed by the national delegates of ASUU, which included professors Mahmood Lawan from Kano; Tony Monye-Emina from Benin; and Bebe Sese from Port Harcourt.
NAN recalls that the union had in a congress resolution in March, warned the university management to address its grievances bordering on reversal of illicit deductions and non-payment of promotion arrears.
The three non-academic staff unions of the institution had also been on strike since March 13, grounding administrative activities in the institution.
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