By SADIQ ABUBAKAR, Maiduguri –
The National Association Academic Technologists (NAAT) University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID) Branch has joined the nation wide strike embarked upon as a solidarity industrial action to press home its demands.
Addressing members of the association and journalists at press conference and rally held at the El Kenami Hall of University of Maiduguri premises and gate one of the varsity, the UNIMAID Branch Chairman, Comrade Yusuf Bulus Dalhatu, said the association unanimously decided to abide by the outcome of the virtual conference held on the 13″ March, 2024, and the outcome of branch congress resolution held on the 18th March, 2024.
UNIMAID NAAT Branch Chairman, Comrade Yusuf Bulus Dalhatu, addressing members of the association and journalists on Wednesday in Maiduguri
Yusuf added that,” Following the intervention of well meaning Nigerians, foremost, Right Honourable Speaker of the Ninth National Assembly, Chief Femi Ghajabiarsila, the cry of parents and our students, the association resolved to call off the lingering industrial action that lasted 5 months and 2 weeks where eventually the strike was called off on 25th of August, 2022 with no meaningful progress.”
“And under the new dispensation of the father of our nation, the Chief advocate of renewed hope for Nigeria, was President Bola Ahmed Tinus GCFR and commander in Chief of Nigerian Armed Forces who granted a waiver on non-payment of the withheld salary at the inception of his administration.
Public demonstration by members of NAAT UNIMAID branch
“As we speak, the executive waiver refuses to see the light of day up till today despite repented subtle reminders, in form of written correspondence from the association, sadly, federal government remains insensitive to our plights.
“Left us with no choice than to down tool our working kits and apparatus, close all laboratories, and suspend all practicals among others for three days as warning strike,” Dalhatu said
According to him, “the UNIMAID branch of NAAT has decided to embark on a three (3) day warning strike commencing from the 20th of March, 2024, terminating on 22nd of March, 2024.”
“In the course of this warning industrial dispute, all laboratories will be shut down,. There will be no conducting and teaching of practicals . No project works and no conducting of research works,” Yusuf said.
He added that “our demands include full implementation of 2009 agreement, payment of outstanding earned allowances for five and a half months , release of enabling circular for carrier elongation for CONTISS 14 and 15, upgrade of obsolete equipment and improve the dilapidated structural state of laboratories in our citadel of higher learning and re-negotiation of the aforementioned 2009 agreement.
He also appreciated the esteemed and humbled members of the association for their solidarity despite the Ramadan fast period.
Highlights of the press conference and peaceful demonstration include solidarity songs, rally, protest and photographs, among others .
DISCLAIMER
The OPINION / COLUMN is authored by independent contributors to the National Accord Newspaper. While contributors adhere to our editorial guidelines, they are not employed by the National Accord Newspaper. The perspectives and opinions expressed herein are solely those of the author and do not represent the views of the National Accord Newspaper or its staff.
Leave a Reply