By Emmanuel Edukugho
Posted to the Web: Thursday, May 24, 2007




It is now almost 8 weeks since the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), embarked on nationwide strike and continuing unabated, paralysing academic activities across the campuses. But President Olusegun Obasanjo has warned striking university lecturers over stoppage of salaries.

"I can’t ask people not to withdraw your services. But be ready. No work, no pay. There are set down rules and processes which will be followed, to negotiate and talk. Once you withdraw your services, it is clear. No work, no pay. If anybody went on strike, he is entitled to it.”

Fielding questions live from citizens at the valedictory edition of the President Explains inside the Villa, Abuja last Saturday, 10 days to end of his administration, President Obasanjo was told of the need to call off the strike and accept the fault if he was wrong in the FGN/ASUU dispute.

The President said: “I’ve talked about ASUU on several times. I don’t know why they are on strike. I’ve explained. A situation where an organisation will call itself a union and paralyse education all over the country is not accepted. We have private universities. I don’t see them as part of ASUU. If you have a state university and joining. I can’t ask people not to withdraw their services.”

A student of Petroleum Chemical Engineering, University of Science and Technology, Port Harcourt wanted to know what effort the president made in resolving the dispute with ASUU.

His replay: “My effort is that they told me ASUU is striking over consolidation of salary. Consolidation will remain. All allowances are now consolidated. That’s how it should be. Not that, one for car, for renting a house, for entertainment, and so on, it’s absolute nonsense. We’ve put all together, and you will just know what your salary is.

For example, if you earn N3 million and given 10% increase, you will know exactly what your salary is. That consolidation is for all in the civil service”.

President Obasanjo referred to his recent visit to University of Lagos Teaching Hospital where he learned a professor used to earn N8,000 monthly, some years ago.
“Today, a professor is well earning over N120,000 a month gone up by over 10 times.
Why are they on strike? He questioned.

"If there is anything to talk about, they should come over. If ready, we talk. But not if you are on strike. Federal Universities are gradually out of business. Private and state universities are not on strike. Many parents are wary of sending their children to federal universities.”

According to Obasanjo, Federal Universities are no longer the best institutions in the country due to frequent strikes by ASUU.

“Federal Universities are not the best. I’ve been told that Ogun State University, Ago-Iwoye is the best in Medicine. I thought University of Ibadan, University of Lagos, University of Nigeria, Nsukka should be the best. Going on strike will make things worse.”

Still on consolidation, he lauded government policy of monetisation and introduction of consolidated salaries as against fragmentation in the past, with labour better off for it.

“We’ve resolved payment of 15%, I understand ASUU is on strike in some universities. We brought consolidation of salaries. Some people will say they want to go on leave, then get leave allowance, lunch allowance. what is the salary of a professor, Permanent Secretary and a waiter in the hotel.
In post-independence (Nigeria), the highest paid officer was the Permanent Secretary. Today, a Professor is far better paid than the Permanent Secretary. In those days, the pay of Professor was lower by 200 pounds than the Permanent Secretary”.

He drew comparison between situations in Nigeria and that of the United Kingdom, pointing out that you cannot want to get the pay of a professor in Britain, because of the different economies and markets.
“The economy and markets in United Kingdom are different from that of Nigeria. The incoming administration will have a clean slate.”

On UBE, he said money has been made available to pay the 40,000 teachers recently recruited for the successful implementation of the programme. One of the new teachers had complained that they’ve not been paid in the last two months.
“Money has been voted for that exercise. For UBE it’s procedure, money is available, you will get your money. Those recruited will be posted. Just go there and work like a good teacher,” the out-going President advised the teachers.

He said his administration has restored the middle class which has almost become extinct in Nigeria. The middle class is mainly made up of university graduates. It had been so difficult for people in this class to own cars and houses.
Now, car loans are available, mortgages to own houses and monetisation of housing.
On youth:

“We’ve established Ministry of Youth Development. Only an irresponsible father won’t plan for the young ones to be better. Youths of today are fathers of tomorrow. So invest on them.”
President Obasanjo gave a glimpse of his future public life after leaving office and the roles he would like to play.

“First, I need to rest. Two, not being able to look at my farms in the last eight years. Good boys are working there. The Yoruba has a saying that 100 eyes are not like your own eye. I will now look and see what they’ve been doing and give helping hand. Then my party (PDP) which has put more responsibilities on me as chairman of Board of Trustees.”

He did not leave out academics and education. “Launching of presidential library. This will take a lot of my time. Ensure those who contributed money that they have not thrown it into the drain.
I will be going back to school. I am a student of Open University, studying theology. I will take it seriously, learning about God. God has done a lot for me. Then the African Leadership Forum (ALF) will take, But I won’t take public office. I’ll help to raise funds for development of Africa, joining a forum of former Heads of State.”

Chief Obasanjo revealed that a university is asking him to come and be lecturing.
“I won’t keep my mouth shut and won’t open my mouth too wide.”

GOD PUNISH OBJ

how did he (obj) get into power? the guy is just crazy ,

If i may ask, What is crazy about what he just said?

aint reffering to the "no work no pay phase", using that as an excuse knowing that most public servants cant survive without pay but at the same time aint satisfied is just dispeakable