ASUU vows not to relent until government revamps public education

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has said that the Union will not rest until the Federal Government revamps public education from its current bad state.

ASUU chairman at the University of Ibadan, Dr Deji Omole, stated this on Thursday at the Lying-in-State ceremony in Ibadan in honour of Late Professor of Exercise Physiology, Ademola Olasupo Abass.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event was held at the Trenchard Hall of the University of Ibadan.

In his tribute to the deceased, Omole said it was sad that the Buhari administration has put the budget on education in reverse gear, with an unimpressive yearly reduction in the percentage allocated to the sector.

He noted that the present administration had promised to increase the budget allocation to education when it gets into power to about 20 per cent but it has yet to do so.

“Our members would have died for nothing if the union drops the struggle for quality infrastructure and better working conditions for Nigerian universities.

“I recall that while the ruling party was campaigning, its then flag bearer promised to target up to 20 per cent for this critical sector, but what have we witnessed? Budget allocation to education has taken a downward trend.

“The conditions of service and the level of infrastructure have been dismal. Our colleagues are dying and those already stressed up with our unimpressive education administration have started relocating to better places. This is pathetic.

“Nigerians should tell President Muhammadu Buhari to spare the lives of lecturers who are over-burdened by excess workload and health challenges that they have no money to treat due to poor wages,” Omole said.

The Vice Chancellor of the institution, Professor Idowu Olayinka, while reading his tribute, extolled the principles of late Prof. Abass, who he said had served the university in several capacities and contributed in no small measure to the development of the institution.

NAN reports that the event had colleagues, students, members of ASUU nationwide, friends and the family of the late professor in attendance.

Credit: NAN.