The management of Benue State University, Makurdi, has issued a directive for the reopening of the school.
The university’s registrar, Dr Mfaga Modom, in a statement on Tuesday titled, “Reopening of the University,” the management directed all staff members of the university to resume duty from Wednesday, September 28, 2022.
The statement read in part, “On the directive of the Vice Chancellor, I write to inform all staff, members of the university community and the general public that the university will reopen with effect from Wednesday, September 28, 2022
“All staff of the university are hereby expected to resume regular duties from Wednesday. The resumption date for all categories of students will be announced in due course.”
The resumption date for students would be announced later according to the statement.
Confirming the directive, the ASUU Chairman, BSU chapter, Dr Kwaehfan Tarmombo, said lecturers would resume as directed but will not teach until the National chapter of the union calls off the prolonged strike, according to a report by Daily Post.
He said, “that is what we were told but we are still on strike. We have been called to resume office but we are not going to teach. We are still on strike until otherwise.”
Recall that the national industrial court of Nigeria on Wednesday ordered the Academic Staff Union of Universities to call off its ongoing nationwide strike.
However, the union said it is waiting for its lawyers for professional advice.
On February 14, ASUU embarked on a four-week warning strike to protest the non-implementation of its demands by the federal government.
On March 14, the union extended the industrial action by another two months to allow the government meet all of its demands.
On May 9, a 12-week extension was announced. The union has vowed to persist until its demands are met. ASUU has been on strike with another 4-week extension announced on August 1. ASUU’s demands.
The union is seeking improved welfare, revitalisation of public universities and academic autonomy among other demands.
One main issue for the union is the non-payment of university revitalisation funds, which amounts to about N1.1 trillion, an agreement that was struck in 2009.
The Federal Government on its part said it doesn’t have the money to pay such an amount and that it will not borrow to meet ASUU’s demands.
Ifunanya Ikueze is an Engineer, Safety Professional, Writer, Investor, Entrepreneur and Educator.