ASUU begins indefinite strike over hike in petrol price

It is bad news for the nation's university students as members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) have been directed to join the NLC strike in the strike action over the increased pump price of petrol.

National President of the association, Professor Biodun Ogunyemi, sent out a letter to the congress nationwide yesterday May 17th. According to Ogunyemi, the move by the government to remove oil subsidy and increase fuel pump price from N86.50 to N145 per liter is obnoxious and callous.

Part of Ogunyemi's letter reads:

"Increase in Pump price of Premium Motor Spirit to N145 perlitre: Proposal for Joint Action with NLC stated that ASUU members are called upon to according to our Union’s principles, fully respect Article 2 of the Constitution of ASUU; that our Union and members shall work for the protection and advancement of the socio-economic interests of the nation. Branch Chairpersons are to conduct emergency congress meetings on Tuesday 17 May 2016 to mobilise our members for the action commencing on Wednesday. All branches of ASUU nationwide are to comply” According to Ogunyemi, the reasons for joining the NLC strike includes “delayed, partially paid and in most cases unpaid salaries for a number of months by state, federal and local governments, disguised retrenchment of workers, especially by State Governments, in the name of verification exercise and endless hunt for ghost workers and heavy taxation”