ASUU Must Henceforth Consult Us Before Embarking On Strike — NANS

ABUJA—THE National Association of Nigerian Students,
NANS, has warned university teachers against
embarking on industrial action without prior notice.
The students’ body also tasked the federal government
to channel the money it claimed to have recovered
from those who looted the country’s treasury to the
education sector, saying such measures would
reposition the deteriorating state of the nation’s
education.

NANS President, Chinonso Obasi, in a statement,
yesterday in Abuja, insisted that lecturers must consult
NANS before embarking on any strike in the future.
University students during one of NANS protests.
Obasi said the decision was a fallout of the
association’s just concluded emergency Senate
meeting held at the Kwara State College of Education,
Ilorin.

NANS, according to the statement, demanded that the
Federal Government should channel the money
recovered by anti-corruption agencies to the education
sector in Nigeria to address some of the burning
issues.

“The meeting which was summoned to deliberate on
the ongoing strike declared by ASUU ended
successfully with an overwhelming attendance of
student union Presidents and NANS stakeholders
throughout the country.
“NANS mandated its leaders to reach out to the Federal
Government to find a lasting solution to the enormous
challenges facing Nigerian students,” the statement
said.

It added: ”As critical stakeholders in the education
sector, it is imperative that ASUU consults NANS.
Anytime ASUU wants to embark on strike, it is proper
for them to consult student leaders led by NANS. ASUU
should also apply other means of negotiation so that
the strike will not have a direct negative impact on the
students.

“ASUU has been striking to use students as their
bargaining power. The interest of students must be
considered and prioritized at all times. Part of the
resolution was that an appeal should be made to the
Federal Government to channel the loots recovered
from anti-graft agencies to the education sector.”
It further added:”The Senate also passed a vote of
confidence on its President for his style of leadership
that has regained the lost voice of Nigerian students
both at home and in the diaspora “It was also resolved that the National President of
NANS should continue to constructively engage with
the stakeholders comprising ASUU and the Federal
Government to resolve the strike and find a lasting
solution to the enormous challenges facing Nigerian
students.”

“The meeting also called on the Federal Government to
prioritise the education sector in Nigeria and push for
the recommendation by the United Nations Educational,
Scientific and Cultural Organisation that 26 per cent of
the nation’s annual budget should be for funding the
education sector and secure a better and sustainable
educational standard.

“NANS however refused to shut down the country on
account of government’s inability to resolve the
ongoing strike, within 21 days, citing the prevailing
economic downturn in the country.”

source:- https://www.vanguardngr.com/2017/09/ASUU-must- henceforth-consult-us-embarking-strike-nans/