KANO STATE GOVT APPROACHES ASUU IN DEMAND OF SUSPENSION OF STRIKE IN STATE-OWNED VARSITIES
Kano state government, on Tuesday evening, convened a meeting with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) chapters of the two state universities in the state with the main demand revolving around the suspension of the ongoing strike action.
Daily Trust reports that the meeting held between the state government officials and ASUU members from Kano University of Science and Technology (KUST), Wudil, and Yusuf Maitama Sule University (YUMSUK).
The lengthy conference came to a standstill with a promise to resume in a week, but no assurance was provided.
Usman Bala Muhammad, the head of the Kano state civil service, appealed with the union and even asked its leaders to suspend their affiliation with ASUU for three months.
However, he granted the union a week to reevaluate their best options and meet again while giving them the difficult assignment of coming up with a solution to allow academic activities to continue.
“It’s not conceivable; we can’t even make these requests to the national. One of the union officials pointed out, “We can’t, therefore it’s better we give you the truth.
After the meeting, when asked if the government had any plans to retaliate against the academics on strike, the Head of Service replied that while there wasn’t currently a plan in place, one would undoubtedly be found if the situation persisted.
“We must wait until it is the last choice before deciding to fire someone from their position. According to him, you must engage them and persuade them to voluntarily and knowingly accept the employer’s requirements.
Abdulqadir Muhammad, the ASUU’s Kano coordinator, responded, “We have told the government in clear terms that we are not coming back to tell them anything different from what we explained to them today unless there is in fact a new development at the level of the union at the centre before the week runs out.
“Even at the centre, when we made the decision to go on strike, we knew there would be repercussions. However, our members are adamant that no matter what the repercussions, they would be accepted as long as these issues are not resolved. It is a sacrifice that we are making. It’s a choice if the government feels differently.
