The Kano Zone of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria Chapter, has organized a TOWN AND GOWN MEETING on the contending issues of the Union’s strike.
The meeting occurred
at the University’s Assembly Hall, Main Campus, Samaru, Zaria.
The town and gown
meeting focused on the renegotiation of the 2009 ASUU and federal government
agreement, the replacement of Integrated payroll and personnel Information System
(IPPIS), the issue of proliferation of state and federal universities, the
issue of withheld salary and funding for revitalization of Nigerian public
universities.
The Kano zone which
comprises Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, Bayero University, Kano, Kaduna
state university, Kano University of science and technology, Sule Lamido
University, Federal University of Dutse, and Yusuf Maitama Sule University
reiterates that the meeting is for the sake of better dialogue between the Union and the general public.
Speaking on the
renegotiation of the ASUU/FGN 2009 agreement, Comrade Ibrahim Barde explained
that the meeting centered on resolving series of issues that include the aims
of revising condition of services, revising brain drain in universities,
ensuring university autonomy and finding solutions to problems of funding.
Comrade Barde noted
that Universities ought to be autonomous to conduct research on their own and
embark on varieties of endeavors without Government control but with Government
sponsorship.
On the issue of funding
for revitalization, of public universities, a former ASUU Chairman of the
Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria Branch, Comrade MK Aliyu, stated that the
Nigerian Government is to be blamed on the shortage of university funding. Although,
certain factors such as declined revenue, huge foreign debt, mismanagement of
funds and corruption are vices affecting funding of public universities.
However, government need to priortise education as it is the backbone of a
country’s development.
“Budget allocated for
education sector has not exceeded 10% of the country’s annual budget since
years back as Central bank of Nigeria statistics confirms. In fact, last year’s
5.8% percent budget allocation for education is more than this year’s 5.4%.”
Comrade Aliyu added.
He further added that The
United Nations Educational, Scientific and cultural organization (UNESCO) stated
in its constitution that, in every developing country, a minimum of 25% of its
annual budget must be allocated to education. Meanwhile, Nigeria, since 1960 is
yet to allocate more than 12% of its annual budget to the education sector.
Speaking on the effect
of the Strike, The Vice-Chancellor, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Professor
Kabir Bala lamented, saying, when I look between the ABU Senate Building and the
Engineering Department, “I feel like shedding tears as nobody is using the
facilities.”
Professor Bala
expressed concern stating that the unavailability of students does not limit
the maintenance requirement for the school infrastructure within the University.
Adding that the strike affected him personally, letting out that he went to the
hospital for medical attention, only to be reminded that doctors are on strike.
He then urged the
Federal Government and ASUU to look at these effects and find a way of
resolution to the strike as soon as possible.
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