Gombe govt appeals for postponement of planned ASUU strike

The Academic Staff Union of Universities, Gombe State University branch, has received an appeal from Muhammadu Yahaya, the governor of Gombe State, asking them to postpone their planned strike. 

Yahaya made this request on Thursday during an inspection panel visitation by a delegation of the ASUU National Executive Council to GSU at the Gombe State Government House. 

Yahaya was represented by Professor Ibrahim Njodi, Secretary to the Government of the State. According to our correspondent, the government pledged to provide N947,669,909.13 million by Monday to cover demands for Earned Academic Allowance and other benefits.

The governor stated that the strike issue would be among the matters to be addressed and given priority consideration once the council convenes on Monday. If nothing changes by then, the union may move forward with its preparations.

Yahaya said, “By Monday upon State Executive Council’s meeting N947,669,909.13 million will be approved to take care of Earned Academic Allowance; excess workload, responsibility allowances, postgraduates study grant as well as outstanding promotion arrears for the years 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023.

“What I’m saying is that ASUU should be patient. The question of going on strike now like the Convener pointed out is not going to solve any problem, ” he said.

Speaking earlier, NEC visitation leader Professor Daniel Gongula praised the governor for placing a high priority on education, but he kept bringing up the government's promised deadline.

Gongula said, “We will submit our report to ASUU principal officers. We need to be convinced.”

He added that professors and other workers use the same market and that other states have implemented minimum wages without consulting the National Minimum Wage table.

Source