FORMER NMA PRESIDENT URGES GOVERNMENT TO RECIPROCATE ASUU’S STRIKE SUSPENSION

A former President of the Nigerian Medical Association, Dr Omede Idris, has commended the Academic Staff Union of Universities for suspending its warning strike, calling on the Federal Government to respond positively to the terms of the agreement for peace to reign in universities. He described as unfortunate the fact that the government has repeatedly allowed such situations to occur, creating an environment of distrust.

According to him, the press conference by the ASUU President, Prof Chris Piwuna, which detailed the levels of intervention and engagement leading to the strike suspension, should prompt the government to expeditiously address the frequent reasons for strikes and the disruption of the academic calendar through mutual resolutions.

The ex-NMA President, in a statement, said, “I join many Nigerians and others alike to applaud and commend ASUU for the suspension of her warning strike over the past ten days in Federal Universities. It is sad to see, that despite advocacy, apparent mutual understanding between the workforce and the government, that strike action has often being the last tool to drive home demands of most workforce in the country arising from unkept and unmet terms, conditions and agreement by government.”

He further stated, “It is unfortunate that the employer or the government has allowed this to happen over time, creating distrust. As a people the question that begs for answer is why the successive governments appear to enjoy the unhealthy relationship with her workforce, especially those in Universities and the health sector.”

Dr. Idris noted that the ASUU leadership has shown rationality with the decision to suspend the strike. He said, “It is therefore expected, anticipated and desirable that the Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Education reciprocates this gesture.”

In a similar vein, he called on the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare to resolve areas of disagreement and unmet agreements with the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors and the Nigerian Medical Association. He urged the ministry to engage with the associations to avert any painful consequences, noting that these unresolved issues have kept their memberships on edge.