Non-inclusion of NASU and SAANU in negotiations raises new concerns — Appointments — The Guardian Nigeria News – Nigeria and World News

The negotiating team tasked with revising the 2009 agreement between the federal government and university unions could escalate into an industrial crisis as nonteaching unions have opposed the move.

The General Secretary of the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Allied Institutions (NASU), Peter Adeyemi, who gave this indication in Abuja during the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the union, said they chose to forming a negotiating team with the academic staff union and excluding non-academic staff unions would lead to a prolonged industrial crisis.

The inauguration of the committee to renegotiate the 2009 agreements with university unions took place on Tuesday last week in Abuja.

Adeyemi observed that the reference letter of the invitation bore the name of the academic staff union.

He also alleged that the event appeared to have been primarily focused on ASUU, with other unions seemingly included as an afterthought, as the Minister of Education’s inauguration speech was almost entirely focused on ASUU , with only brief and superficial mentions of other unions.

“To confirm our fears, during the inauguration, both unions witnessed a most humiliating experience where the ASUU President was placed on the so-called “accountability table”, and the presidents of the other unions watched from their positions of “irresponsibility.” From the proceedings, it was evident that NASU and SSANU were only invited as spectators to provide a semblance of legitimacy and legitimacy. acceptability to a renegotiation exercise already concluded,” he declared.

Adeyemi claimed that the ASUU president alone was asked to respond on behalf of other unions without consultation and ended up speaking on behalf of his union, which showed that the views and experiences of other unions were not had no importance in the renegotiation.

Adeyemi maintained that the proceedings of the entire inauguration showed the imbalance in relations and the obvious unfair treatment that would be meted out to NASU and SSANU if the renegotiation process continued in this manner.

Adeyemi added: “Therefore, the Joint Action Committee of NASU and SSANU hereby condemns the entire charade that took place in the name of an inauguration as it signals potential bias in favor of university staff in future negotiations, to the detriment of non-citizens. teaching staff and therefore expresses our concerns about the inauguration process.

In his speech at the NEC meeting, the national president of the union, Dr. Hassan Makoko, decried the worrying prospects of libraries at the state level.

The NASU chief accused state governors of abandoning their libraries, which has serious consequences for the welfare of workers.

“State governments have refused to adequately fund their libraries and, in some cases, have yet to establish modern libraries.

In some cases, state library staff salaries are not paid as they are earned. Therefore, NASU advocated that salaries of state library staff be paid through the same system as salaries of state civil servants. paid so that state library staff can also receive their due salaries, allowances and other incentives in the same manner as state civil servants are paid,” he said.

NASU maintained that resolving developmental issues is crucial to Nigeria’s long-term progress and stability.

Makolo added: “Fighting insecurity is essential to restoring peace, which is the foundation of economic development and social cohesion. Likewise, the fight against corruption will improve governance, attract foreign investment and strengthen public confidence in institutions.

“Economic reforms focused on job creation, inflation control and infrastructure will promote growth and reduce poverty. Investment in health care and education is essential to nurturing a competent and healthy population capable of driving innovation and productivity.

Also, on the occasion, the Acting Vice-Chancellor of the University of Abuja, Professor Aisha Maikudi, who was a special guest, called for adequate recognition of the work done by non-teaching staff of universities and others higher institutions.

Maikudi observed that while much attention is often given to university faculty, it is important to recognize that the successful functioning of any educational institution depends on the hard work, commitment and effectiveness of non-academic staff .

She said: “Whether it is administrative tasks or ensuring our campuses are conducive to learning, research and innovation, your contribution is essential to the success of the university system and education . At the University of Abuja, we recognize the vital role that non-academic staff play. The stability and growth we have experienced over the years is largely due to the collaborative efforts between academic and non-academic staff.