The Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals (ANAP) has threatened to shut down the Aviation sector in solidarity with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), if necessary steps are not taken to address the demands of the striking varsity lecturers.
DIPLOMATIC DIARY reports that ASUU had on February 14, 2022, embarked on a 4-week total and comprehensive strike to press home their unresolved demands on the federal government.
The Union had further extended its ongoing strike by another 12 weeks on May 9, to give the government enough time to satisfactorily resolve all the outstanding issues after an extension on March 14 due to an alleged lack of seriousness on the part of the federal government.
But ANAP in a statement issued by its General Secretary, Abdulrasaq Saidu, called on President Mohammadu Buhari to end the strike without further delay.
ANAP noted that the continued stay at home by students of tertiary institutions has added to social vices in the country as students now engaged in some unpalatable activities capable of destroying their future.
They threatened embark on a solidarity strike by closing the aviation sector if necessary steps are not taken to address ASUU’s demands.
The Association noted that the over four-month strike has ridiculed the educational system and making it a laughing stock before the world.
The union noted that ASUU, NASU, SAUTHRIAI, NAAT had been on strike for more than four months due to the apparent failure of government to sign the re-negotiated 2009 Agreement with ASUU, failure to honour the terms reached at in May 2022 MoU signed with ASUU, and habitual failure of government to respect Collective Bargaining Agreements willingly signed with labour Unions.
ANAP explained that not only the students were suffering but parents and the society, adding that the poor economy has also affected every home in the country.
It noted that education remained the bedrock of any nation aspiring for greatness, adding that ASUU strike will eventually lead to a regrettable situation in future if not well handled
“Our children are using eight years to read courses of four years with resources being wasted. We cannot continue this way”, it stated.
ANAP warned that the future of education will be bleak as little or no attention was focused on the system as most of the children of politicians are schooling abroad
The Union warned that its members will align with the position of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to protest against the unfortunate situation in the tertiary education sector.
It added that all members have been put on alert in solidarity actions on the directive of Nigeria Labour Congress at very short notice.
