The Federal Government has faulted the fresh notice by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to embark on a fresh strike barely four months after calling off a 10-month industrial action.
Speaking in an interview with Sunday PUNCH, The Minister of State for Education, Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba said it had been difficult for the government to run the lives of over 200 million people with less than $70m a day in earnings.
TheFact Nigeria gathered that the government through Nwajiuba said any person conceiving a strike after close to one year of downing schools would be doing a disservice to students “because government is a continuum.”
“Whoever is conceiving a strike after being on a strike for close to one year is damaging the studentship because government is a continuum. Even if we are not in power today, another government, as the case may be, will be there.
“I have never supported strikes. However, I believe people should press for their demands as responsibly as possible. It is the responsibility of the government to continue to engage them.”
When asked if ASUU should still be patient with the government, Nwajiuba said it depended on the style of the demands.
He said, “It depends on the style of the demands; some of them are what the government can do now, some can be what the government can do later.
“I’m sure you’re aware of the revenue base of the country – 1.5 million barrels are sold. It is difficult to run the lives of over 200 million people with less than $70m a day in earnings. It is amazing that the President has managed to keep the country afloat”, he said.
